{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Toughest test to date","video":"lLFj_aVLNZqw","thumbnail":{"uri":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/short_form_video/hero/10-29_49ers_PTW_Aiyuk.jpg","alt":"49ers vs. Seahawks: Brandon Aiyuk is player to watch with Deebo Samuel out","title":"49ers vs. Seahawks: Brandon Aiyuk is player to watch with Deebo Samuel out"},"credit":"","published":1604167684,"caption":"

A difficult stretch of games only gets tougher Sunday, as the 49ers (4-3) will take on MVP candidate Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks (5-1) from CenturyLink Field.

San Francisco seems to have gotten the season on track with a pair of impressive wins over the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots in back-to-back weeks, but Wilson’s pinpoint accuracy and the dominant wide receiver duo of D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett will provide the best opponent the 49ers have seen this season.

The Seahawks stand atop the NFC West through seven weeks, and in the NFL’s most competitive division, every victory matters. These teams split their two matchups last season, with each road team coming out on top. The Seahawks will be looking to exact some revenge after missing out on a home playoff game and a division title after Dre Greenlaw’s game-saving goal-line tackle got the 49ers a Week 17 win in Seattle.

Motivation will be high on both sides, but here are five reasons the 49ers will emerge victorious Sunday in a pivotal division clash.

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The vaunted “12th Man” won’t be an issue for the 49ers on Sunday, as Seattle won’t have fans in the stands at CenturyLink Field for this Week 8 contest. The 49ers are yet to play a game in front of spectators this season, and that streak will continue.

Without the immense roar of the 72,000 fans that come with road games against the Seahawks, the only sounds accompanying Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers’ offense on the field will be the NFL mandated fake crowd noise, which remains static throughout the game for both teams and can’t exceed an 80-decibel maximum.

The lack of noise drowning out play calls and checks at the line of scrimmage only stands to help the 49ers, and Garoppolo and Co. should be able to play a clean game, and come out with a quiet road victory.

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These teams are trending in opposite directions, as the Seahawks began the season a perfect 5-0 before an uncharacteristic overtime loss in Arizona to Kyler Murray and the Cardinals. Wilson, who looked like the NFL’s best player far and away through six weeks, fell back to earth and tossed three interceptions in the primetime defeat.

The 49ers, meanwhile, have won two consecutive games, including a dominant 33-6 romp over the New England Patriots in Foxboro last week. The defense is rounding into form after some rough performances early in the season, and Garoppolo appears healthy and in command of coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. For the second time in three weeks, San Francisco also will go with their universally-loved all-white throwback uniforms, which they haven’t lost a game in over the last two seasons, including last year’s thrilling Week 17 win in Seattle.

The 49ers will feed off the energy of looking clean and keep the good vibes going by getting a big win over the Seahawks.

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Russell Wilson has been the class of the NFL at the quarterback position, and coach Pete Carroll absolutely has allowed his QB to torch opposing defenses this season, as he leads all signal-callers in passer rating (115.8). On the other side of the ball, however, it’s been a different story.

The Seahawks rank near the bottom of the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, and face a rash of injuries in the secondary. Pro Bowl cornerback Shaquill Griffin won’t play Sunday, and fellow defensive backs Quinton Dunbar, Ugo Amadi, Jamal Adams and Ryan Neal all find themselves on the injury report this week.

Jimmy G threw for a season-high 277 yards in last week’s win over the Patriots but didn’t manage to add any touchdowns to his season total. Against a banged-up Seahawks pass defense, Garoppolo should be able to move the ball around effectively and utilize the elite abilities of Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle after the catch.

Look for Shanahan to scheme up some big plays in the passing game, and allow Jimmy to cook early and often in what could be a shootout in Seattle.

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For years, the Seahawks’ defensive backs were some of the most feared players in the NFL, with current 49er Richard Sherman along with star safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor leveling receivers and running backs, and stifling opposing quarterbacks' ability to throw down the field.

But in 2020, it’s been the 49ers that have been able to make big plays on defense and force turnovers among the best teams in the NFL, including picking off four passes in last week’s win over the Patriots.

Wilson has five interceptions over his last three games, and linebacker Fred Warner and the 49ers’ defense could flip the game in their control by capitalizing on any mistakes from Wilson.

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will have his group fired up and ready to disrupt this high-powered offense on Sunday.

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NFL teams typically play better within the friendly confines of their home stadium, but it seems to be the opposite for the 49ers in 2020. Through seven games, the 49ers are a perfect 3-0 on the road, and are just 1-3 at Levi’s Stadium.

Seattle is undefeated at home this season, however, so something will have to give Sunday.

Shanahan has done an impeccable job of having his team prepared to play on the road, and that shouldn’t change as the team heads to the Pacific Northwest this week.

"}]}

Five reasons 49ers upset rival Seahawks in Week 8 of 2020 NFL season