The Seattle Seahawks’ 27-24 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10 was memorable in both the good and bad sense. It featured several back-and-forth scores and mistakes and culminated with a game-winning field goal by Jason Myers. However, San Francisco did not have their star tight end George Kittle playing in that game, which could have been the deciding factor. Seattle will face their bitter rivals with Kittle healthy for the division-deciding Week 17 showdown on Sunday.
This will be the most crucial game this season and the biggest regular-season game for the Seahawks in recent memory. Coach Pete Carroll acknowledged that San Francisco will present a tougher challenge with Kittle in the offense.
“He’s an amazing player, he really is,” Carroll told reporters Tuesday. “He’s a heart and soul guy for them, and a clutch guy, too. They go to him when times are crucial and all that. He’s a fantastic player. Not just a catcher, he’s a blocker as well. He’s a good ballplayer.”
Kittle has been one of the best tight ends in football this season, racking up 78 receptions for 967 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 13 games played. The Seahawks’ injured defense will be hard-pressed to defend him consistently on Sunday. They must formulate an effective gameplan with him in mind.
“We won’t be able to play them the way we did last time,” Carroll said. “We’re going to have to do things much differently because he’s in the game.”
The Seahawks are set to face off against the 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 29 at CenturyLink Field at 5:20 p.m. PT.
