I don't mean to be dramatic but tonight's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks is the 49ers most important regular season game of the year. They head into it banged up and demoralized by two 4th quarter collapses against weaker division opponents in the last three games. They seem to have lost their identity. Teams are playing them differently and they have abandoned the quick, short passing game. They have gone from the top team for Yards after the Catch to one of the worst teams in the league for Yards after the Catch. Last year Purdy was one of the top ten QBs for least amount of time holding the ball before passing. This year he is holding the ball longer than any other starting QB in the league. Sure CMC is out and Deebo and Kittle have been banged up and Aiyuk didn't play up to par until game 5 after his contract "hold in", but it's the NFL- next man up.

On defense they have struggled mightily with missed tackles and missed assignments. Other than Warner, Bosa and Lenoir no one has consistently played well. They have struggled against the run and all of their safeties have been terrible (aside from Hufunga- who came back for a whopping 11 plays before getting hurt again). Their new DC can't seem to get out of his own way. KOC and McVay took him to school in the Vikings and Rams games and while he was better against the Cardinals, the D got absolutely bullied on the game winning drive.

Special teams has been atrocious but that's nothing new. The 49ers have been bottom third of the league in Special Teams since Shanahan took over. He just doesn't care about special teams. Maybe he should. Fumbled punt (bounced off a guys foot) and missed extra point were huge factors why the Super Bowl even went to OT. In the past the 49ers have been able to hide their special teams woes due to being great on offense and defense. Not so much anymore.

And the most concerning issue. The 49ers have lost their physicality and ability to impose their will on the other teams. Instead they seem to be content with try to counterpunch what the opposition is trying to do to them instead of playing their game.

Starting 0-3 in the division and 0-4 in the conference for a team that considers itself a contender who "just needs to get healthy and rolling" is simply not an option. The remaining schedule is far too difficult to rattle off a 9 game win streak like they did two years ago when they started 3-5. Tonight is a must win for them. Both in terms of keeping all their divisional, playoff and super bowl aspirations alive and also proving they are who we thought they were.

The difference between a win and a loss tonight is monumental. Win and you are tied for first place with the Seahawks with the head to head tiebreaker in hand but lose and you are on the cusp of last place with every other team in the division holding the head to head tiebreaker against you.

I expect to see the real San Francisco 49ers tonight. If not, it's time to start thinking about 2025.

Sats for all, GR