The NFL is as soon as once more gifting us with a serious divisional matchup on Thursday Evening Soccer because the 2-3 49ers journey to Seattle to face the 3-2 Seahawks. There are many massive fantasy soccer names on each side of the scoreboard, so let’s get to what we needs to be searching for on this matchup.
The story of a quarterback (who deserves higher)
Geno Smith at the moment ranks fifth amongst quarterbacks in fantasy factors. He solely has 5 passing touchdowns, however he leads the league in passing yards and is seventh in speeding yards on the place. Smith additionally leads the league in completions, makes an attempt and is tied for third in completion proportion amongst QBs with 130+ makes an attempt.
However once more, Smith solely has 5 passing touchdowns — one each week, good to be tied for seventh-highest within the league.
I do not learn about you, however one thing ain’t including up.
This can be a scenario that screams dangerous luck to me. Not solely has Smith needed to watch a number of accomplished passes to receivers just for them to get tackled on the 1-yard line, however Kenneth Walker III has been outlandishly environment friendly at scoring end-zone and red-zone touchdowns this season; 67% of the Seahawks touchdowns by 4 weeks got here on the bottom!
Merely put, the Seahawks have made it look straightforward scoring on the bottom whereas making it look extremely troublesome by way of the air. Issues will steadiness out, possibly as quickly as this recreation.
It would not appear proper {that a} dude who’s throwing with such frequency and effectivity as Smith has nonetheless would not have a multi-passing-touchdown recreation this season.
The Seahawks may discover themselves chasing the scoreboard two weeks in a row. For them to come back out on high this time round, they’re going to want to attain by the air in addition to on the bottom. Be certain to observe Smith’s work within the crimson zone intently on this recreation.
Will this be the monster Jordan Mason recreation?
Ever since Jordan Mason was elevated to beginning RB for the 49ers, we’ve got been ready for the huge efficiency harking back to the man he changed. To date, Mason has balanced two nice fantasy video games (Weeks 1 and 4) with recreation (Week 2) and two subpar video games (Weeks 3 and 5). To his credit score, Mason is fifth in whole working again fantasy factors and second within the league in speeding yards.
However we’re nonetheless ready for that 100-yard, three-touchdown recreation. Perhaps we’re spoiled by what we normally get from Kyle Shanahan-crafted working assaults. Regardless, Mason has been nice, simply not the week-winner we anticipated.
The principle factor holding Mason again from that ceiling has been his receiving work. He has simply seven catches on eight targets this season, with no touchdowns, good for fortieth amongst RBs this season. By comparability, Alvin Kamara has 23 catches on 28 targets and a receiving rating. Mason simply hasn’t been a precedence within the passing recreation this season, despite the fact that Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and, after all, CMC have missed time with accidents.
However maybe we see a little bit bit extra of Mason in all aspects of the sport this week. Shanahan and the 49ers undoubtedly noticed what the star Lions’ RBs did to the Seahawks in Week 4. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs mixed for 158 whole yards and three whole touchdowns in opposition to Seattle. Certain, most of that harm was executed on the bottom (Monty did produce 40 yards on one catch in that recreation), however the working recreation was one of many engines behind the Lions’ 42-point outburst.
To not point out, the 49ers are coming off a loss in opposition to one other division rival during which Mason obtained simply 15 touches, whereas Purdy threw the ball 35 instances. It would not be a shock to see Shanahan return to his bread-and-butter to proper the ship on this recreation. Mason to attain a number of instances on TNF feels like prop to chase for me.
Classic Brandon Aiyuk was on show in Week 5 … however do not anticipate a repeat efficiency
All of us knew Brandon Aiyuk would take a while to get ramped up. All of it got here collectively final week in opposition to the division-rival Cardinals, with Aiyuk catching eight passes for a whopping 147 yards. He might’ve had a fair greater recreation if Purdy hadn’t missed him a couple of instances. Regardless, it was a welcome growth and efficiency for one of many higher extensive receivers within the league.
However banking on a repeat is likely to be asking for an excessive amount of.
After beginning the season off with some stable defensive performances in opposition to exterior receivers, the Seahawks’ cease unit has began to point out some chinks within the armor, most just lately to Darius Slayton of all folks, who dropped eight catches for 122 yards and a landing in opposition to them. Previous to this surprising efficiency, Seattle’s secondary hadn’t allowed a single receiver to surpass 80 yards in opposition to them (and Jameson Williams received to 80 whereas being restricted to 2 catches). Sadly for that unit, they are going to be with out cornerback Riq Woolen (ankle) for TNF. They may be with out security Julian Love (hamstring), who’s questionable after logging restricted practices this week, famous as a game-time resolution by HC Mike Macdonald.
Regardless, Macdonald’s protection has been stable at limiting perimeter receiver manufacturing this season, and that ought to proceed in Week 6. As talked about, I see this being an enormous Jordan Mason recreation, however do not be stunned if George Kittle and Deebo Samuel wreaking havoc up the center have greater outings than Aiyuk.
