The Seattle Seahawks‘ defense will be a significant problem for the San Francisco 49ers. In Seattle’s last five games, its defense has allowed only one opponent to score over 20 points. As a result, the Seahawks will look to continue this trend against the Niners.
Seattle need a big-time performance from its defense as the Week 18 game against San Francisco on January 3 at Levi’s Stadium will be for the NFC West division and the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Ahead of the game between the two rivals, 49ers tight end George Kittle didn’t hold back regarding his true thoughts on the Seahawks’ defense.
“Fantastic defensive front,” Kittle said of the Seahawks’ defense while speaking to reporters on December 31
Vic Tafur of The Athletic). “[DeMarcus] Lawrence is having a fantastic year. He’s a Pro Bowler this year. [Leonard] Williams is fantastic. I mean, their whole D-line is just violent.
“You can watch your tape, and you can really see every time that, whether it’s run or pass, you see opposite linemen on the ground just getting thrown around the entire time. Not every D-line is like that. And then, when you put in a very well-coached secondary right behind that, who doesn’t give up any big plays, but they’re very good at coming up on all the checkdowns.”
George Kittle Goes Into Seahawks’ Defensive Dynamics
Moreover, Kittle went into the specifics of why it’s problematic to gain yardage against the Seattle defense, using the last game he played, the Week 16 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
“The Colts were hitting us for six-yard checkdowns, 12-yard checkdowns,” Kittle added. “Seattle’s defense really holds everything to two to four yards on checkdowns. It’s like every yard really matters against them. If you’re in, it’s second-and-eight, and then all of a sudden it’s third-and-seven, ‘Hey, that’s a little bit more tough.’ You have to fight for those extra yards.
“So when you get to third down, it’s third-and-two, third-and-one, and you can stay on the field. I think that’s just the most important thing is, when we beat them in Seattle Week 1, we started the season off with a 16-play drive, and then our third drive was a 14-play drive for eight minutes. The goal is to stay on the field, get first downs, and then we just have to continue to score in the red zone.”
49ers Worry About Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Furthermore, the Seahawks’ defense isn’t the only concern the 49ers are facing as they prepare for this game. The Niners’ defense, which has a bend-but-don’t-break mantra, will need to contain Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
On December 30, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was blunt with his comments regarding Smith-Njigba and what makes the Seahawks wideout an exceptional talent.
“This year, in the whole league, I think he’s their leading receiver in every game but one,” Shanahan said while speaking to the media (h/t
95.7 The Game). “He’s obviously extremely talented, as most first-round guys are, but it’s hard to know unless I read it on Madden and their awareness rating.
“But I would guess his real-life awareness rating is off the chart. He’s got very good feel in zones, how to move around. He almost plays in slow motion, but he’s one of the fastest guys out there, so a lot of respect for him.”
George Kittle, the talented tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, has become an unexpected hero for Swifties after stepping in to defend Taylor Swift against Kim Kardashian’s criticism of the singer’s dance moves in her music video for “The Fate of Ophelia.”
The controversy erupted when Kardashian made a public remark mocking Taylor Swift’s choreography in the video, igniting a social media frenzy. Swift’s fans quickly mobilized, with many taking offense at Kardashian’s comments. Amid the growing online backlash, Kittle took to social media to speak out in favor of Swift, calling Kardashian’s remarks “unwarranted” and “unnecessary.”
“It’s disappointing to see someone of Kim Kardashian’s stature criticize Taylor Swift, who’s not only an incredible artist but a role model to so many,” Kittle tweeted. “There’s no need for the negativity, especially when it comes to something as subjective as art and self-expression. Taylor’s dance moves are iconic, and it’s time we respect her creative choices.”
Kittle’s tweet immediately caught the attention of Swift’s fans, who quickly rallied around the tight end, praising him for standing up for the pop superstar. Swifties, many of whom already admired Kittle for his athletic talents, were thrilled to see him take a stand for Taylor, especially in a situation that involved one of the most famous celebrity feuds in recent memory.
The timing of Kittle’s response couldn’t have been better, as the online debate had been spiraling out of control, with Kardashian’s comments fueling a storm of negative reactions. Kittle’s intervention helped calm the chaos, with many of Swift’s fans expressing their gratitude for his support.
“George Kittle just won over Swifties everywhere,” one fan wrote on Twitter. “Finally, someone standing up for Taylor in a world full of unnecessary drama.”
The drama between Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian dates back to their highly publicized feud involving Kanye West, and Kardashian’s latest comment only seemed to deepen the divide. However, Kittle’s support for Taylor has offered a fresh perspective and reminded fans of the power of standing up for what’s right.
“I’ve always been a fan of Taylor’s music, and her work is beyond critique,” Kittle continued in a follow-up post. “She puts her heart and soul into everything she does, and the last thing we should be doing is tearing her down.”
Swifties were quick to show their appreciation for Kittle’s words, flooding social media with messages of thanks and support. As for Kittle, his comments have solidified his place as a beloved figure among Swift’s fans, who see him not only as a talented athlete but also as someone who understands the importance of respect and kindness in the face of criticism.
