WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump declared Saturday’s military operation that led to the ouster of Nicolás Maduro a major success as he offered a vague plan for his administration “to run” Venezuela until a transition of power can take place. While there are no visible signs of a U.S. presence on the ground in […]
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After ousting Maduro in Venezuela, Trump commits himself to another foreign policy project
Iran’s leader says rioters ‘must be put in their place’
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s supreme leader insisted Saturday that “rioters must be put in their place” after a week of protests that have shaken the Islamic Republic, likely giving security forces a green light to aggressively put down the demonstrations.
The first comments by 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei come as violence surrounding the demonstrations sparked by Iran’s ailing economy has killed at least 10 people. The protests show no sign of stopping and follow U.S. President Donald Trump warning Iran on Friday that if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the United States “will come to their rescue.”
While it remains unclear how and if Trump will intervene, his comments sparked an immediate, angry response, with officials within the theocracy threatening to target American troops in the Mideast. They also take on new importance after Trump said Saturday that the U.S. military captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a longtime ally of Tehran.
The protests, have become the biggest in Iran since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody triggered nationwide demonstrations. However, the protests have yet to be as widespread and intense as those surrounding the death of Amini, who was detained over not wearing her hijab, or headscarf, to the liking of authorities.
State television aired remarks by Khamenei to an audience in Tehran that sought to separate the concerns of protesting Iranians upset about the rial’s collapse from “rioters.”
“We talk to protesters, the officials must talk to them,” Khamenei said. “But there is no benefit to talking to rioters. Rioters must be put in their place.”
He also reiterated a claim constantly made by officials in Iran that foreign powers like Israel or the United States were pushing the protests, without offering any evidence. He also blamed “the enemy” for Iran’s collapsing rial.
“A bunch of people incited or hired by the enemy are getting behind the tradesmen and shopkeepers and chanting slogans against Islam, Iran and the Islamic Republic,” he said. “This is what matters most.”
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard ranks include the all-volunteer Basij force, whose motorcycling-riding members have violently put down protests like the 2009 Green Movement and the 2022 demonstrations. The Guard answers only to Khamenei.
Hard-line officials within the country are believed to have been pushing for a more-aggressive response to the demonstrations as President Masoud Pezeshkian has sought talks to address protesters’ demands.
But bloody security crackdowns often follow such protests. Protests over a gasoline price hike in 2019 reportedly saw over 300 people killed. A crackdown on the Amini protests of 2022, which lasted for months, killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained.
“Iran has no organized domestic opposition; protesters are likely acting spontaneously,” the Eurasia Group said in an analysis Friday. “While protests could continue or grow larger (particularly as Iran’s economic outlook remains dire), the regime retains a large security apparatus and would likely suppress such dissent without losing control of the country.”
Two deaths overnight into Saturday involved a new level of violence. In Qom, home to the country’s major Shiite seminaries, a grenade exploded, killing a man there, the state-owned IRAN newspaper reported. It quoted security officials alleging the man was carrying the grenade to attack people in the city, some 130 kilometers (80 miles) south of the capital, Tehran.
Online videos from Qom purportedly showed fires in the street overnight.
The second death happened in the town of Harsin, some 370 kilometers (230 miles) southwest of Tehran. There, the newspaper said, a member of the Basij, the all-volunteer arm of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, died in a gun and knife attack in the town in Kermanshah province.
Demonstrations have reached over 100 locations in 22 of Iran’s 31 provinces, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported.
The protests, taking root in economic issues, have heard demonstrators chant against Iran’s theocracy as well. Tehran has had little luck in propping up its economy in the months since its June war with Israel in which the U.S. also bombed Iranian nuclear sites in Iran.
Iran recently said it was no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country, trying to signal to the West that it remains open to potential negotiations over its atomic program to ease sanctions. However, those talks have yet to happen as Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have warned Tehran against reconstituting its atomic program.
ACC publicly reprimands Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry
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Jeff Borzello
The ACC has issued a public reprimand of Micah Shrewsberry following an incident between the Notre Dame coach and an official at the end of the Fighting Irish’s loss at California on Friday.
Notre Dame had a three-point lead in the final seconds, but Logan Imes was called for a foul on Cal guard Dai Dai Ames while Ames made a 3-pointer. Ames completed the four-point play, and the Golden Bears held on for a 72-71 win.
At the final buzzer, Shrewsberry charged after official Adam Flore but was intercepted and held back by players and staff members before he could get to Flore.
Shrewsberry declined to speak to media after the game.
The ACC said Shrewsberry’s actions violated the ACC sportsmanship policy.
“Shrewsberry aggressively confronted a member of the officiating crew following the game. The unsportsmanlike behavior that was displayed is unacceptable and tarnishes the on-court play between these institutions,” the conference said in a statement. “The ACC considers this matter closed and will have no further comment.”
Shortly before the ACC’s announcement, Shrewsberry released his own statement to apologize.
“My actions were inappropriate and not symbolic of the leader I strive to be and what Notre Dame expects of its coaches and educators,” he said. “I will learn from this lack of judgement and be better in the future. I want to apologize to our team, our University and its leaders, to Coach Madsen and his team, and to the ACC, as my actions were unacceptable.”
The defeat dropped Notre Dame to 10-5 (1-1 ACC), while Cal improved to 13-2 (1-1).
Crowds gather outside Mar-a-Lago following Nicolas Maduro’s capture, strike on Venezuela
Reactions are already playing out right outside Mar-a-Lago on Saturday after President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.Trump insisted the U.S. government would run the country at least temporarily and would tap Venezuela’s vast oil reserves to sell “large amounts” to other countries. The action marked the culmination of an escalating Trump administration pressure campaign on the South American country that consisted of months of strikes on boats officials said were smuggling drugs to the U.S. Behind the scenes, U.S. officials tracked Maduro’s behavioral habits, including what he ate and where he slept, in preparing to execute an operation that resulted in one of the more stunning regime changes in modern history.Maduro and his wife, taken overnight from their home on a military base, were aboard a U.S. warship on their way to New York, where they were to face criminal charges.As that news spread, people started to gather outside Mar-a-Lago in both support and opposition to the action.Some Venezuelan Americans who WPBF spoke with said that this feels like a turning point and a “moment of hope” after years of corruption and authoritarian rule.Others strongly disagreed with the action, asking why Maduro was singled out when other adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin haven’t faced similar consequences.Watch the video above to see the scene.The Associated Press contributed to this report
Reactions are already playing out right outside Mar-a-Lago on Saturday after President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Trump insisted the U.S. government would run the country at least temporarily and would tap Venezuela’s vast oil reserves to sell “large amounts” to other countries.
The action marked the culmination of an escalating Trump administration pressure campaign on the South American country that consisted of months of strikes on boats officials said were smuggling drugs to the U.S. Behind the scenes, U.S. officials tracked Maduro’s behavioral habits, including what he ate and where he slept, in preparing to execute an operation that resulted in one of the more stunning regime changes in modern history.
Maduro and his wife, taken overnight from their home on a military base, were aboard a U.S. warship on their way to New York, where they were to face criminal charges.
As that news spread, people started to gather outside Mar-a-Lago in both support and opposition to the action.
Some Venezuelan Americans who WPBF spoke with said that this feels like a turning point and a “moment of hope” after years of corruption and authoritarian rule.
Others strongly disagreed with the action, asking why Maduro was singled out when other adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin haven’t faced similar consequences.
Watch the video above to see the scene.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Flight animation shows planes avoiding Venezuela
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Dabo Swinney to hire Chad Morris back to OC role at Clemson, per reports
Dabo Swinney has tapped a veteran colleague to fix Clemson’s issues on offense, bringing back former OC and quarterbacks coach Chad Morris to call plays in 2026, according to Tiger Illustrated. Clemson247 also confirmed the news.
This comes a week after Clemson parted ways with Garrett Riley after three seasons. The 2025 campaign fell well short of expectations as the Tigers were preseason top-five team before finishing with the program’s worst record in more than a decade.
Before a Pinstripe Bowl loss to Penn State ended the season at 7-6 overall, Swinney promised to make coaching staff changes. Clemson took a massive step back under Riley after quarterback Cade Klubnik went from preseason Heisman candidate to a mid-level option in the ACC. His touchdown total was cut in half from his junior to senior seasons.
Clemson’s 28.7 points per game entering the postseason and its number of explosive plays were the program’s lowest production numbers since 2021, leading to speculation about Riley’s future and where Swinney wanted to continue with his scheme moving forward.
Morris worked as a Clemson offensive analyst during the 2023 season before spending 2024 as Texas State’s wide receiver coach and passing game coordinator. After a successful previous run as the Tigers’ OC from 2011-14, Morris coached three seasons at SMU and two at Arkansas, compiling an 18-40 record.
He returned to his strengths as an offensive guru at Auburn in 2020 under Gus Malzahn, but that season went south on the Plains and he was back in the Texas prep coaching ranks the following year.
Clemson’s offense under Morris
Morris brought a tempo-drive scheme to Clemson for the first time in 2011 after the Tigers finished 6-7 during Swinney’s second full season as coach. Over the next four years, Clemson went 42-11 overall with record-setting production offensively, led by quarterback Tajh Boyd, who developed as an All-ACC passer under Morris.
The hiring of Morris just as the solo transfer portal window opened on Friday means the Tigers will have to quickly assess their biggest needs offensively, specifically at quarterback and the skill positions. Clemson is reportedly in the mix for Michigan State signal caller Aidan Chiles and previously met with ex-Florida quarterback D.J. Lagway.
Morris brings a quarterback-friendly and rollout-heavy scheme to Death Valley that has worked before and is more akin to current, spread-based systems around the ACC. It is similar to Malzahn’s scheme at Florida State with a RPO-based approach. His son, Chandler Morris, transferred to Virginia ahead of the 2025 season and went 11-3 for the ACC runner-ups under former Clemson OC Tony Elliott.
Morris recently petitioned the NCAA for another year of eligibility, citing his 2022 season at TCU.
How the US operation to capture Maduro went down
At 10:46 p.m. EST on Friday, President Trump pulled the trigger on a plan to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, following months of rising tensions and failed diplomacy. The mission, known as “Operation Absolute Resolve,” was a culmination of months of planning and rehearsals by U.S. military officials and the intelligence community, according to Joint […]
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Maduro’s capture leads to hundreds of Caribbean flight cancellations
The U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flew him and his wife out of the country early Saturday has also disrupted Caribbean travel at a busy travel time for the region.
No airline flights were crossing over Venezuela on Saturday, according to FlightRadar24.com. And major airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean region and warned passengers that the disruptions could continue for days after the Federal Aviation Administration imposed restrictions.
Flights to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Aruba and other destinations near Venezuela were canceled. The airlines are waiving change fees for passengers who have to reschedule their flights this weekend.
The FAA had earlier said it imposed a temporary airspace restriction on Puerto Rico’s international airport and surrounding regions.
An announcement by Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan posted on the social media site X said restrictions were put in place because of the “security situation related to military activity” in Venezuela.
As a result, most commercial airlines to and from the airport that are operated by U.S. airlines have been suspended or may be canceled. Foreign airlines and military aircraft are not included in this restriction, the statement said. Air Canada said its flights were operating normally.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will update as required if the situation changes,” the airline said.
JetBlue said it canceled about 215 flights “due to airspace closures across the Caribbean related to military activity.” It also noted that flights to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were not affected by the government’s restrictions. Customers could rebook their travel or request a refund if the flights were canceled, the company said.
United said it was adjusting its schedule to account for airspace closures in the Venezuela region. It said customers could change their travel plans in the region for free as it continued to monitor the situation and worked with U.S. aviation authorities.
Southwest said it canceled all Aruba flights for Saturday and suspended Puerto Rico flights until late afternoon, but flights to the Dominican Republic were unaffected.
American said it was waiving change fees for flights to and from about 20 island destinations, including Anguilla, Antigua, Curacao, Saint Lucia and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
Delta said it has issued a travel waiver for customers traveling to or from 13 impacted airports through Tuesday.
Maduro and his wife are expected to land at New York Stewart International Airport later today, two sources familiar with the matter told CBS News. Maduro is expected to be turned over to federal authorities when he lands. The airport is located in the Hudson Valley, about 60 miles north of Manhattan.
KITTIE Reflects On Spit Legacy, Evolution & What Truly Defines Their Sound Today
For many fans, Kittie‘s 1999 debut Spit remains the band’s most defining release. But for the members themselves, the true essence of Kittie lies not in where they began but in how far they’ve evolved since.
When asked which album best represents the band today, guitarist Mercedes Lander didn’t hesitate in an interview with New Noise Magazine. “I think everything after Spit, to be honest with you,” she said.
Vocalist and drummer Morgan Lander echoed that sentiment, explaining that each new release tends to take on that role in the moment it’s created: “I would say every new album becomes that album,” Morgan said.
“When you record the next one, it’s like, ‘Oh, that’s the best one.’ But for me, when we started In The Black, that was the beginning of everything that was new. It felt like a reintroduction to a slightly different sound sonically.”
Bassist Ivy Jenkins agreed, noting that In The Black stands out not just musically, but emotionally: “Whenever I listen to that album, you can hear how happy and together and unified we were,” Jenkins said. “We had the best time in the studio together. It’s funny because it’s really negative, heavy music, but you can hear us in a positive light.”
She added that the same energy carried forward into later material, particularly Fire. “It really feels like a happy, energized band,” Jenkins said.
The band previously explored this divide in their 2017 documentary Kittie: Origins/Evolutions, where they spoke candidly about wanting distance from Spit. Written and recorded when the members were still teenagers, the album represented both their breakthrough and a creative growing pain.
However, with the album’s re-release years later, Morgan says her perspective has softened. “With the first album, there’s a lot of rawness and realness to it that I think a lot of people really enjoy,” she explained. “But we quickly moved away from that skill level as a band—as soon as we recorded and started going out on tour.”
Time, distance, and experience have allowed her to reconnect with the material without feeling confined by it. “I can appreciate the first album for what it is,” Morgan said. “And it was really nice to be able to re-record stuff, just to sonically bring things to where we’re at now.”
Speaking of Kittie, they’ve got the following 2026 tour dates lined up so far.
1/26 Miami, FL ShipRocked Cruise 2026
4/25 Las Vegas, NV Sick New World Las Vegas 2026
7/18 Tinley Park, IL Summer of ’99 And Beyond Festival 2026
7/29 Wacken, Germany Wacken Open Air 2026
7/31 Löbnitz, Germany Full Rewind 2026
8/2 Saarbrücken, Germany Garage Saarbrücken
8/5 Jaroměř, Czech Republic Brutal Assault 2026
8/6 Kortrijk, Belgium Alcatraz 2026
8/9 Walton-on-Trent, United Kingdom Bloodstock Open Air 2026
8/13 Carhaix-Plouguer, France Motocultor Festival 2026
8/14 Cudrefin, Switzerland Rock The Lakes 2026
8/15 Sulingen, Germany Reload Festival 2026
8/16 Eindhoven, Netherlands Dynamo Metal Fest 2026
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Seahawks vs. 49ers preview: Race for the NFC’s No. 1 seed
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Nick Wagoner
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Nick Wagoner
ESPN Staff Writer
- Nick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has covered the San Francisco 49ers since 2016, having previously covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, including three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In over a decade with the company, Nick has led ESPN’s coverage of the Niners’ 2019 and 2023 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick’s protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, Sam’s subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the team’s relocation and stadium saga.
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Brady Henderson
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Brady Henderson
ESPN
- Brady Henderson is a reporter for NFL Nation and covers the Seattle Seahawks for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2017 after covering the team for Seattle Sports 710-AM.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The last time the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks met in the regular season with the NFC West on the line, an epic battle came down to a single yard.
It was the last game of the 2019 season. Then-Niners linebacker Dre Greenlaw stopped Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister short of the goal line as time expired, sending San Francisco to a 26-21 win and the NFC West division crown, the NFC’s No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. The 49ers would then go on a postseason run, but lose in Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Six years later, a lot has changed for the 49ers and Seahawks — who square off again Saturday night at Levi’s Stadium (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) — but not the stakes.
The Seahawks (13-3) enter the game in first place of the NFC West and on a six-game winning streak. A win or tie would lock them in for top spot in the division and the conference. They have an NFL-best 14-2 road record since 2024 under coach Mike Macdonald.
The 49ers (12-4) are also on a six-game winning streak — and a seventh would pull them even with the Seahawks in overall record. They’d claim the NFC West crown and No. 1 seed by virtue of a 2-0 record against Seattle.
Back in Week 1, the Niners went to Seattle and escaped with a win in the closing moments. Since then, these teams have taken decidedly different paths to the same destination.
Seattle has emerged as one of the league’s most complete teams, led by the second-best scoring defense in the NFL. The Niners have been the opposite, carving a path to the postseason on the strength of a high-octane offense that ranks fifth in offensive points per game and first since Week 9.
Add it all up and the expectation on both sides is for another classic that could come down to the final seconds, if not the final yard.
“We stole one up there, but I think they’re going to be ready for this one,” 49ers right tackle Colton McKivitz said. “It’s going to come down to that last couple of plays.”
ESPN’s NFL Nation 49ers reporter Nick Wagoner and Seahawks reporter Brady Henderson break down the matchup with the biggest questions heading into the game, key players and injury concerns for each team.
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN | SEA -1.5 (47.5 O/U)
Seahawks
Can Seattle’s defense get to 49ers QB Brock Purdy?
It’s tempting to ask whether Sam Darnold and Seattle’s offense can finally play a clean game and kick their recent bad habit of slow starts, as they’ve failed to top nine points in the first half in six of their past seven games.
But the unstoppable-force-versus-immovable-object matchup on the other side of the ball is worth watching. No offense has been hotter of late than San Francisco’s (it has scored 40-plus points in each of the past two games), and maybe only one defense — Houston’s — has been better than Seattle’s all season. Macdonald’s unit is allowing the second-fewest points in the NFL at 17.3 per game.
Part of the formula has been relying on their dominant front four — led by 2026 Pro Bowlers Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence — to get to opposing quarterbacks without having to send an extra rusher, instead keeping one more defender in coverage. The Seahawks rank fifth in pressure rate (35.1%) and 27th in blitz rate (20.4%).
Their 44 sacks are eighth most in the NFL, though they’ve only recorded four over their past four games. That is partly due to how quickly Indianapolis Colts‘ Philip Rivers and Carolina Panthers‘ Bryce Young got rid of the ball.
Purdy, on the other hand, has averaged the second-longest time before a throw of any quarterback this season at 3.19 seconds. Williams, Lawrence & Co. will need to take advantage of the opportunities Purdy gives them to get home. If San Francisco has to start its backup left tackle, with 12-time Pro Bowler Trent Williams questionable with a hamstring injury, there should be a few.
Seattle’s key players to watch
QB Sam Darnold
The Seahawks are hoping that Darnold can regain the form he showed over the first two months of the season, when he led the NFL in Total QBR (78.2) through 10 weeks. The past seven have been an adventure. Darnold ranks 27th in Total QBR (37.3) since Week 11, committing 10 turnovers in that span. Which is not to say the Seahawks have been winning entirely in spite of him. Two weeks ago, for instance, he played a leading role in their epic comeback against the Rams, coming up clutch in the fourth quarter and overtime. Last week, he made several big-time throws on third down to help Seattle pull away from Carolina.
Darnold has up to $2.5 million worth of contract incentives that he can reach in this game, including $500,000 apiece for throwing three more touchdown passes and 150 more passing yards.
The rookie second-round pick played all of four snaps in the season opener against San Francisco before suffering an ankle injury that sidelined him for the next three games. Since returning, he has developed into an almost-every-down playmaker, a versatile weapon and one of the leading candidates for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Emmanwori lit up the scouting combine with a 4.38 40-yard dash and a 43-inch vertical jump at 6-3 and 220 pounds. That blend of size and athleticism allows him to play all over the field — sometimes lining up on the line of scrimmage, or across from slot receivers. He’s an X factor that Seattle’s defense didn’t have the first time it faced the 49ers.
Stat to know
Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is having a historic season for the Seahawks. His 1,709 receiving yards and 113 receptions are franchise single-season records. He is 91 yards shy of becoming the seventh player in NFL history to record 1,800 receiving yards in a season.
Smith-Njigba is a downfield threat, leading the NFL in receptions and yards (683) on passes 20-plus yards downfield this season. His 974 yards on passes thrown outside the numbers this season is 222 more than the next-closest player.
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Seahawks navigating injuries ahead of Week 18
Brady Henderson breaks down the Seahawks’ injuries ahead of Week 18.
Injury concerns
The Seahawks could be down to their third-string left tackle, undrafted rookie Amari Kight. They ruled out starter Charles Cross and have listed Josh Jones as questionable. Jones has filled in capably for Cross the past two games, but he suffered knee and ankle injuries against Carolina that kept him from practicing Tuesday and Wednesday before he returned Thursday as a limited participant.
The Seahawks’ defense will likely be without safety Coby Bryant, who’s doubtful with a knee injury that also sidelined him last week. The good news there is that Ty Okada has been an unsung hero this season while making nine starts for Julian Love and one last week for Bryant.
Another piece of good news for the Seahawks: Wide receiver and kick returner Rashid Shaheed cleared concussion protocol this week after leaving last week’s game against the Panthers.
Best thing I heard in the Seahawks’ locker room this week:
“We know they’re a good offense and we’re a good defense. Saturday is going to speak for itself. I’m not going to lip-box y’all to death about what we’re going to do or not. I’m just going to get out there … and play Saturday. Let us go, let our defense roll and let our pads do the talking Saturday night.” — defensive tackle Jarran Reed
Last time the Seahawks won the NFC’s No. 1 seed
It has happened three times in franchise history. Not coincidentally, those were the three times the Seahawks made the Super Bowl.
The most recent was in 2014, the year they came a yard away from claiming their second straight Lombardi Trophy. The Seahawks went 12-4 in the regular season before beating Carolina in the divisional round and then Green Bay in overtime in the NFC Championship Game, after they improbably erased a 12-point deficit in the final four minutes.
The Seahawks went into the final weekend of the 2019 season with a chance to claim the No. 1 seed with a win and some help. But by the time they kicked off against the 49ers, it was no longer in play for Seattle. So this will be the first time since 2014 in which the top seed will truly be on the line for the Seahawks in their regular-season finale. — Henderson
49ers
Will San Francisco’s defense step up and force turnovers?
Absent star defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner, the Niners’ defense has struggled mightily down the stretch, particularly when facing more efficient offenses. While Seattle’s defense is the better side of the ball, the offense has been no slouch despite some late-season hiccups.
But the Seahawks also have a penchant for giving the ball away. Seattle has 28 turnovers this season, second most in the NFL with Darnold responsible for a league-high 20 of those.
Those giveaways have become even more common in the past seven games, as Darnold has 10 turnovers in that span. It’s why a hot start that had Darnold — who spent the 2023 season with the 49ers as Purdy’s backup — in the MVP conversation has given way to observers wondering if he can do enough to guide an otherwise well-rounded team on a deep playoff run.
The Niners’ defense, meanwhile, has made its living this season off limiting explosive plays, forcing field goal attempts and coming up with the occasional fourth-down stop or red zone turnover.
Aside from that, though, there hasn’t been a whole lot of resistance from Robert Saleh’s patchwork unit. And taking the ball away is probably second only to pass rush in areas the Niners would like to improve defensively.
San Francisco is tied for 22nd in takeaways this season with 16 and has had none in seven of its 16 games. Coincidentally, it was a late-game forced fumble from Bosa that clinched San Francisco’s Week 1 win against Seattle.
There will be no Bosa to bail the Niners out this time. The numbers suggest Seattle will give someone else a chance to make that key play that could win the game, but it’s still fair to wonder who on the Niners’ defense will be the one to capitalize when that opportunity arises.
49ers’ key players to watch
QB Brock Purdy
There’s a case to be made that Purdy is playing the best ball of his still young career. Since returning from a toe injury in Week 11, Purdy has thrown 16 touchdowns with five interceptions and added three rushing scores. He’s not qualified because of time missed, but if he was, Purdy’s 77.8 QBR would lead the NFL.
Like Darnold, Purdy has had turnover troubles, and Seattle’s defense is a difficult challenge. But if he can take care of the ball, there should be opportunities for another big day.
Lenoir has not shied away from trash-talking anyone but that’s especially true when it comes to the Seahawks. Lenoir has fully embraced this rivalry and even fired shots at Smith-Njigba, Seattle’s star wideout, in March. He doubled down on that this week, asking to shadow JSN on Saturday night.
“Man-to-man coverage, me and him,” Lenoir said. “That’s what I want.” The Niners are unlikely to grant that request because of how they’d have to change their defense elsewhere but, after sharing his thoughts, Lenoir will be in the crosshairs if and when Seattle targets him.
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CMC wins Fantasy Focus Football’s Comeback Player of the Year Award
Stephania Bell announces that 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is named the podcast’s comeback player of the year for fantasy managers.
Stat to know
Running back Christian McCaffrey has shown what makes him a dual threat in the passing and rushing games again this season. His 17 total touchdowns are tied for third most by a Niner in a season. He is on pace to average 50 rushing yards per game and 50 receiving YPG in a season for the third time in his career.
McCaffrey’s 116.4 career scrimmage YPG is the third most in NFL history (min. 100 games) after Hall of Famers Jim Brown (125.5) and Barry Sanders (118.9).
Against the Seahawks he can further cement himself in history. He needs five receptions to pass LaDainian Tomlinson (624) for the third-most catches by a running back in NFL history. And he needs four receptions to reach 100 for the season and become the first Niner since Terrell Owens in 2002 to hit the century mark.
Injury concerns
The Niners could be without left tackle Trent Williams because of a right hamstring injury. He’s listed as questionable, and though coach Kyle Shanahan said Williams has made “good progress,” Williams said “we’ll see” when asked if he will be available. Austen Pleasants, who fared well against Chicago last week, would make his first NFL start if Williams can’t play.
As for George Kittle, who sat out last week against the Chicago Bears with an ankle injury, he said he “absolutely” expects to play versus the Seahawks, but was officially listed as questionable.
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Schefter: 49ers will be cautious who plays in Week 18
Adam Schefter updates Pat McAfee on the status of 49ers stars Trent Williams, George Kittle and Fred Warner for Week 18.
Best thing I heard in the 49ers’ locker room this week:
“We never really thought that ‘Hey, man, we’ve got to go attack the No. 1 seed.’ It was always we’ve got to go take on whoever we’re playing on Sunday and win that game. And so, this is just where we’re at at the end of the year. We’re very grateful for that, to be in this opportunity and situation. But, we can talk all we want. We have to go do it at the end of the day.” — Purdy
Last time the 49ers won the NFC’s No. 1 seed
The 49ers surged to the NFC’s top seed in 2023 when they finished 12-5 and won the NFC West division. Including that year, each of the previous two times the Niners had the No. 1 seed under Shanahan they’ve advanced to the Super Bowl. — Wagoner