Pete Carroll praised Christine Michael after last week's game, even though Michael had a costly fumble to end a comeback try. And with Thomas Rawls dealing with a leg bruise, maybe Michael will be in for a featured role against San Francisco. The matchup looks excellent.
Seattle has faced San Francisco seven times in the last three seasons (including a playoff meeting), and had a significant running back in all of those contests. Mostly it was Marshawn Lynch, but Rawls also had a huge game against the 49ers last year. And San Francisco's defense isn't better now than it was in the past -- it's probably worse.
Particularly if it seems like Rawls isn't going to be able to play (or be at full strength) this weekend, Michael should deliver very good rushing numbers.
| SEATTLE RUNNERS AGAINST 49ERS, 2013-PRESENT | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Site | Running Back | Yards | TD |
| 2013 | Sea. | Marshawn Lynch | 98 | 2 |
| 2013 | S.F. | Marshawn Lynch | 72 | 1 |
| 2013 | Sea. | Marshawn Lynch | 109 | 1 |
| 2014 | S.F. | Marshawn Lynch | 104 | 0 |
| 2014 | Sea. | Marshawn Lynch | 91 | 1 |
| 2015 | S.F. | Marshawn Lynch | 122 | 1 |
| 2015 | Sea. | Thomas Rawls | 209 | 1 |
--Andy Richardson