The Seattle Seahawks are entering an important matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. The outcome of the game will ultimately decide the NFC West standings, which has major implications on seeding in the NFC playoff picture. A player who will be key in this matchup is DK Metcalf.

Earlier this season, the Seahawks managed to defeat the 49ers in overtime with 27-24 being the final score. In that particular game, Metcalf ended with six catches for 70 yards and was the team's leading receiver from a yardage standpoint. Without his impact, it's difficult to believe that Seattle would have won this game.

During a recent press availability, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan shared his thoughts on how the Seahawks are a different team now compared to when San Francisco last played them. He noted that there are ‘a lot of injuries' that Seattle is dealing with at the moment.

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A blank silhouette/outline of a person with the logo for the Seattle Seahawks in the middle. On either side of the silhouette/outline are University of Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and University of Georgia tackle Amarius Mims.

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Former Mike Macdonald and Geno Smith mentor Pete Carroll with John Schneider

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“I don’t think much at all. I know the last couple of weeks they’ve had (Seattle Seahawks DE Jadeveon) Clowney out and I know their safety’s (Seahawks S Quandre Diggs) been out and their corner (Seahawks CB Shaquill Griffin,” Shanahan said, via the team's official website. “Expect to get at least two of those back this week, so to me, they haven’t changed much at all on defense. And offensively, they’re missing their running backs, they’re bringing two new ones in and they don’t have their left tackle (Seahawks T Duane Brown). It’s similar to how we played a ton of games this year. I know there’s a lot with injuries as there is with everyone, especially when they just happen, but I think that’s part of football and I don’t see a big difference in this game than the last game.”

Given the circumstances the Seahawks are dealing with currently, they will need their key players that are healthy to contribute at a higher level than usual. It won't be easy for Metcalf as the 49ers are expected to have Ahkello Witherspoon back in the lineup for this matchup in addition to Emmanuel Moseley, so a tough matchup will occur regardless.

It has been a disappointing last few weeks for Metcalf. He is coming off a performance where he was primarily matched up with Patrick Peterson and ended with only one target and no recorded stats against the Arizona Cardinals. During the week prior, he only recorded two receptions for 36 receiving yards, but he did at least have a receiving touchdown along with it.

As long as the recent acquisitions in the backfield can execute at a decent level for the Seahawks along with a strong performance from Metcalf, that would go a long way for their chances of defeating the 49ers.