Seahawks Season & Home Opener vs. 49ers
The Seahawks have geared up for a season-opener against a division rival in the San Francisco 49ers. There's much anticipation for the players, not because of the opponent but for the chance to just simply go out there and play football.
"We've been going against each other for two months now, or however long it's been, we're ready to hit somebody else," Jarran Reed said.
The Opposing View: An Insider's Look At The Seahawks' Week 1 Opponent, The San Francisco 49ers
Q: What matchup or matchups are you most looking forward to seeing play out in Sunday's game?
49ers team reporter, Briana Jeannel: The battle in the trenches between the 49ers revamped defensive line and Seattle's offensive line will be pivotal. San Francisco will debut first-round pick Mykel Williams alongside Nick Bosa, Jordan Elliott, and Kalia Davis, with Robert Saleh back to oversee the group. The unit's ability to limit running back Kenneth Walker III and disrupt the former 49ers QB Sam Darnold will be crucial to setting the tone defensively. Seattle's offensive line, which also features a first rounder in Grey Zabel, brings plenty of upside and will make this matchup a real test. Watching how San Francisco's new-look front stacks up against a promising Seahawks O-line makes this trench battle one of the key storylines of the game.
Seahawks Mailbag: Reasons To Like The Week 1 Roster, Jalen Milroe's Role & More
@Lolzfps asks, "Which player will surprise us the most with his performance in Week 1?"
A: Making predictions for single-game performances can be something of a fool's errand, because so many factors in the course of a single game can affect an individual performance, be it an opponent's scheme, individual matchups, game situations such as the score or field position, or any other number of factors. But if we're talking bigger picture, one player I think folks outside of the team might be sleeping on a bit is tight end AJ Barner. A fourth-round pick out of Michigan in last year's draft, Barner was a player most expected to come in and be a factor on special teams and as a blocker, and he was those things, but Barner also thrived in limited opportunities as a pass catcher, scoring four touchdowns on 30 receptions. Now, with the Seahawks moving on from last year's starting tight end, Noah Fant, there will be more opportunities for Barner and the rest of Seattle's tight ends, and while there is understandably a lot of excitement about second-round pick Elijah Arroyo, Barner will probably be on the field the most of any of Seattle's tight ends, and in a Klint Kubiak offense, there should be plenty of opportunities for tight ends to make plays.
Read more of the mailbag here