Fantasy Football Preview: Seahawks vs. 49ers

Few matchups in the NFL carry as much familiarity and physicality as Seahawks vs. 49ers. Divisional games often throw logic out the window, but for fantasy football managers, this matchup presents a clear roadmap. With elite usage players on both sides and defined offensive roles, there are several must-starts, a few situational flex options, and one team’s defense worth trusting this weekend.

49ers Fantasy Outlook

The centerpiece of any fantasy conversation involving San Francisco begins with Christian McCaffrey, and this week is no different. McCaffrey remains the most dependable fantasy asset in football thanks to his workload and the dominance in said workload. McCaffrey’s ability to line up anywhere on the field makes him nearly impossible to game plan against. Even in a tightly contested rivalry game, his floor alone justifies RB1 overall expectations.

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At quarterback, Brock Purdy continues to provide fantasy managers with efficient production. Purdy excels in timing-based throws and thrives when defenses are forced to commit extra attention to McCaffrey or Kittle (who will likely not play this week). Seattle’s pass rush could create pressure, but Purdy’s quick release and accuracy over the middle limit negative plays. In fantasy terms, that translates to a safe QB1 or high-end QB2 with touchdown upside (ten touchdowns in the last two games), especially at home.

In the receiving corps, deeper leagues and flex decisions will come down to Jauan Jennings versus Ricky Pearsall. Jennings offers reliability. He is trusted in high-leverage situations, particularly on third downs and near the goal line, making him a steady PPR option. Pearsall, on the other hand, brings explosive upside. His speed and ability after the catch give him the chance to break the slate with one or two big plays. Managers seeking a sure performer should lean Jennings and those chasing ceiling should roll with Pearsall.

Seahawks Fantasy Outlook

For Seattle, Kenneth Walker III remains the offensive engine. Walker’s volume and big-play ability keep him firmly in starting lineups. His improved involvement in the passing game further boosts his fantasy value, particularly if Seattle is forced into a more aggressive game script. Even in a difficult matchup, opportunity wins in fantasy football, and Walker has plenty of it.

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The clear must-start on Seattle’s side is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. JSN has emerged as the focal point of the Seahawks’ passing attack, thriving on quick-hitting routes and high-percentage targets. His role gives him a high floor, while his ability after the catch provides weekly upside. In a game where Seattle may need to throw to keep pace with the Niners offense, Smith-Njigba should see heavy volume and is locked into lineups as a strong WR2 with legitimate WR1 potential.

Defense to Start

One of the more overlooked fantasy plays this week is the Seahawks defense. Divisional familiarity often leads to lower scoring and increased turnover opportunities. Seattle’s pass rush and ability to generate pressure make them a viable streaming option, even against a talented 49ers offense. Sacks and a potential takeaway or two could swing matchups in fantasy leagues.

Final Fantasy Takeaway

This rivalry promises intensity, but the fantasy approach remains straightforward. Trust elite volume, start the players with defined roles, and take advantage of divisional chaos where it helps you. McCaffrey, Purdy, Walker, and Smith-Njigba should all be in lineups, while Jennings, Pearsall, and the Seahawks defense offer matchup dependent value that could make the difference in Week 18.