> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Preview: Seahawks Battling 49ers in Season Opener - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/preview-seattle-seahawks-san-francisco-49ers-week-1/ - Published: 2025-09-05T18:48:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T05:58:25.000Z - Author: Corbin Smith - Tags: NFL, NFL Football, Seahawks, San Francisco, San Francisco 49ers, Demarcus Lawrence, Nick Emmanwori, Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings, Mike Macdonald, Kyle Shanahan The Seattle Seahawks will start their 50th season as a franchise against the San Francisco 49ers in what is an intriguing divisional matchup. However, this time against the Niners, the ‘Hawks feature a much different offense than the last time these two teams battled. This brand new offense coordinated by Klint Kubiak features a new identity deeply residing in the running game. But will that identity lead to a win at Lumen Field to open the season against a bitter rival? ### A Difficult Task at Hand The Seahawks defense remains vastly the same compared to last season and that includes the coaching staff. The only changes to that unit throughout the offseason were the additions of veteran defensive lineman Demarcus Lawrence and the addition of former South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori through the 2025 NFL Draft. However, just because the defense finished the previous season on a strong note and then became stronger throughout the offseason, doesn’t mean it won’t potentially struggle to stop what should be a much healthier 49ers offense. Niners star running back Christian McCaffrey made it very clear that he feels good earlier this week despite being listed as questionable and he will be playing in this game. This means that the Hawks will have a very dominant dual threat force on their hands needing to be stopped. Not only that but the Niners will also have wide receiver Jauan Jennings in this game, who was good for the Niners this past season, and second year receiver Ricky Pearsall who could break out next to him. Regardless of who the Niners have on the offensive side of the ball, they should be ok considering who they have calling the plays. Kyle Shanahan is a mastermind at the offensive side of the ball, so regardless of who the Hawks defense is facing personnel-wise, they will need to be prepared. The way the Hawks defense could put a drastic halt to the Niners plans on offense is being able to stop the Niners run game from the start. If the Hawks defense is able to pull that off, it could give Shanahan and his offensive staff a lack of options to choose from as they struggled passing the ball more in McCaffrey’s absence last season. ### What Everyone is Anxiously Waiting to See The biggest unknown going into this game is how the Hawks offense is going to perform. They now have a brand new quarterback in Sam Darnold and a new wide receiver in Cooper Kupp, who will be featured primarily in the slot. They also have a scheme now in place aimed at fixing a dormant run game. Last season, under former offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, the Hawks ranked 28th in the league with just 1,627 rushing yards. In order for the new look Hawks offense to reach its potential, they must be much-improved on the ground to help take pressure off of Darnold, which will start with the offensive line. The new Hawks offense goes up against a Niners defense that lost a number of stars throughout the offseason. In free agency, the Niners lost safety Talanoa Hufanga to the Broncos, linebacker Dre Greenlaw to the Broncos, cornerback Charvarius Ward to the Colts, and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to the Vikings. Despite that, the Niners defense is now coached by Robert Saleh, who played a big part in constructing a dominant Niners defense that nearly resulted in a Super Bowl title in 2019. Regardless of all the change for the Niners on defense, the Hawks offense will still have to manage to move the ball while dealing with All-Pros Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, two of San Francisco’s cornerstones. One way Seattle’s offense could be able to move the ball is by establishing the run early and creating good yardage on early downs, which will then allow them to set up play action and keep Bosa from pinning his ears back.