The 49ers defense will look to recover from its worst performance of the season against the Cardinals. They’ll take on a Seattle offense with plenty of weapons, led by MVP-candidate quarterback Russell Wilson. With linebacker Kwon Alexander out for the remainder of the season, Dre Greenlaw will step into the role in the biggest game of the year.
Along with Greenlaw, here are the six players to watch on the 49ers defense:
LB Dre Greenlaw
Greenlaw will attempt to fill the Kwon Alexander-sized hole in the defense after losing the linebacker for the season to a torn pec. Greenlaw saw 56 snaps in Week 1 after Alexander was ejected in the first quarter, but hasn’t seen more than 30 since then. That will change Monday night with the rookie fifth-round pick expected to start at Will linebacker. While he might not be as good in pass coverage as Alexander, Greenlaw can hold his own against the run, and Seattle is team that runs the ball plenty. It will be interesting to see how he’s used against the pass.With how mobile Russell Wilson is, Greenlaw could be used in pass coverage as a spy to try to prevent Wilson from getting loose.
DL Nick Bosa
Bosa had a rare quiet game against Arizona. That may be a cause for concern against Seattle due to Wilson’s skill set, which is similar to Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray’s. If his performance was due to the mobility of the quarterback, he could struggle again this week against Wilson. But if his struggle was for any other reason, he could be due for a bounce back game with Seattle’s starting left tackle Duane Brown missing practice all week. How Bosa adjusts his pass rush with a mobile quarterback will play a key role in how easily Seattle moves the ball against the 49ers.
CB K’waun Williams
Williams has been good all season in the slot, but will face his toughest test against Tyler Lockett on Monday night. Lockett has been Seattle’s best receiver, leading the team in targets, receptions, yards . and touchdowns, with majority of his production coming in the slot. Of his 767 receiving yards this season, 604 of those have come from the slot according to Pro Football Focus. Williams has played well as the nickel corner, allowing a league-low passer rating of 49.6 when targeted.
CB Richard Sherman
Sherman’s rocky exit from Seattle makes him a must-watch every time he faces his former team. Monday night, Sherman will see a combination of DK Metcalf and Josh Gordon, who will likely be making his Seahawks debut. Sherman is having his best season as a member of the 49ers with three interceptions and one of the lowest passer ratings allowed. Knowing how he plays, Sherman will come out with plenty of motivation to try and show up Wilson and the Seahawks.
LB Fred Warner
With Alexander out, there will be a bit more pressure on Warner. Seattle is a team that likes to run the ball, and with Greenlaw lining up with Warner, both linebackers will have an important role in preventing a big game for running back Chris Carson. Warner leads the team with 48 tackles, but only has two tackles for loss. He’s done a solid job in preventing big plays, and needs to find a new level as an emotional leader with Alexander sidelined.
DL Dee Ford
Ford hasn’t played more than 50 percent of snaps in a game since Week 1, but is still tied for second on the team with 5.5 sacks. He was able to get to Kyler Murray last week for one of the 49ers’ three sacks. Seattle has allowed Wilson to be sacked 22 times this season, which puts them in the middle of the pack in sacks allowed. Pressure from the ends will be important for the 49ers, and if Bosa does struggle, it’ll be on Ford to keep Wilson uncomfortable and within the pocket.
