When the 49ers and Seahawks went head up in the NFC championship just two years ago few would have imagined the currently scenario in their Week 7 match up this year. Two 2-4 teams doing battle to stay out of the NFC West cellar.

Both teams still have young talented quarterbacks, although Colin Kaepernick hasn’t seemed to progress like many suggest he should. On the other sideline Russell Wilson hasn’t been without his own problems, failing to move the ball on third down with any consistency this year. Curse of Ciara maybe?

Aside from the juicy headline of two of the game’s young QB’s dueling, here’s what else to look for tomorrow night in the Bay Area.

How does Kaepernick handle the Hawks’ pass rush?

Yes Kaepernick has shown improvement the past two weeks, though he was facing the Giants and Ravens who are 30^th and 27^th against the pass respectively. He has a reputation for failing to quickly progress through his reads, therefore it will be interesting to see how he responds to the Seahawks’ fast and athletic defense. Fourth quarter aside, their performance has gotten better in recent weeks. With Earl Thomas getting interceptions and the defense causing more fumbles. 

In the past two weeks the Seahawks have generated 7 sacks after only 8 the first 2 weeks, per fieldgulls.com.  With more sacks coming, quarterbacks are also having less time to throw the ball, inching closer to their average mark of 2.698 seconds of last year. Expect Kaepernick to tuck the ball and run often tomorrow.

How will the Seahawks’ offense attack the 49ers?

In terms of points and yards allowed the 49ers rank 25^th and 31^st in the NFL, but give up the most yards in the league through the air. On the ground they’re around the middle of the pack. With Seattle being a running team and getting Marshawyn Lynch going a priority, will they focus on the ground game? Or take advantage through the air?

Either way expect Jimmy Graham to have another game like he did against Carolina when he had 8 catches for 140 yards. I’d expect more big plays through the air tomorrow, and they’ll need them to avoid third down. Seattle woes converting on third down could be cured as San Francisco ranks 26^th in opponent third down percentage according to teamrankings.com.

Photo: Flickr/Mike Morris