Seahawks Defense Challenges 49ers Offense in NFC West Clash

The Seattle Seahawks hosted the San Francisco 49ers on October 11, 2026, at Lumen Field in a Week 5 NFC West matchup. The 3-1 Seahawks aimed to hand the 4-0 49ers their first loss while testing whether their defense could contain San Francisco's league-leading offense.

According to Sportsnet, Brock Purdy entered the game leading the NFL in passing touchdowns with 11, passer rating at 126.2 and total expected points added at 59.24. The 49ers had scored 122 points and allowed 64 through four games.

Seattle's defense carried momentum from two previous wins over San Francisco, including playoff victories where the 49ers failed to score a touchdown. The Seahawks allowed 246.5 yards per game and 4.0 yards per play, according to Sportsnet.

Purdy said the previous meetings showed areas for improvement after Seattle disrupted San Francisco's offense.

"They did a really good job against us with out-physicaling us and getting to the ball fast and flying around and closing the windows in the pass game and stuff," Purdy said.

Purdy also reviewed his previous performances against Seattle during the offseason. The quarterback entered the matchup with new supporting pieces around him, including Deebo Samuel Sr., Mike Evans and George Kittle returning to the offense.

"Obviously, for me it sucked how last year ended and not getting in the end zone and scoring and stuff like that. So for sure went back and watched some stuff this off-season. Sort of just like, ‘All right, what was it?

How could I have played better? And what did I need to do?’ Sort of just being hard on myself in that regard.

But every game is new," Purdy said.

Seattle coach Mike Macdonald's defense limited San Francisco in late 2025 meetings, holding the 49ers to 173 total yards in a regular-season finale and 236 yards in a playoff game. The Seahawks also forced multiple turnovers in those contests.

"We tackled really well. We limited extra yardage. I thought we rushed the quarterback with discipline and married the coverage," Macdonald said.

Safety Julian Love said Seattle's communication helped against San Francisco's motion-heavy offense. The Seahawks entered the game allowing 18.3 points per game, ranking among the NFL's best defenses.

"I think we communicated really well. I think these guys do a lot of stuff pre-snap, motions, shifts, crazy alignment-type things. For the most part, we have a good feel of our communication versus them.

And then just man for man, understanding who you're lined up against. I think we match up well with them just body for body," Love said.

The Seahawks also prepared for changes in San Francisco's offense after fullback Kyle Juszczyk was unavailable. Macdonald said the team expected the 49ers to use multiple personnel groupings rather than relying on a single formation.

"Kyle's been extremely durable over the years, so there's not a lot of things you can go to and see how they actually did it with the people that are on their current roster," Macdonald said.

The matchup featured two offenses with different storylines. San Francisco ranked eighth in passing yards per game at 251.8, while Seattle relied on Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the team with 481 receiving yards and six touchdowns, according to Fox Sports.

Seattle's ground game entered the game averaging 110.3 rushing yards per game, with Emanuel Wilson leading the team with 190 yards on 53 carries. The Seahawks also held a plus-three turnover margin, tied for fourth in the NFL, according to Fox Sports.

San Francisco's defense was tasked with slowing a Seattle offense that had found consistency through Smith-Njigba and the running game. The 49ers entered the matchup without a loss after beating Denver on October 4, 2026.