Analyze Zach Ertz's matchup for week 9
Jordan Mason faces a Seahawks defense that is hemorrhaging 4.9 yards per carry and has surrendered the 4th-most rushing yards to RBs; with Brock Purdy probable to miss, Kyle Shanahan will lean on a heavy ground script, making Mason a locked-in RB1 this week.
Seattle’s defensive line has been a sieve versus the run, ranking 28th in DVOA and allowing a league-worst 4.9 YPC and 6.1 yards per carry over the past three weeks. The 49ers are expected to deploy a conservative run-heavy attack behind backup QB Josh Dobbs, giving Mason a clear path to 20-plus touches.
Mason has averaged 17.8 carries and 93.3 rushing yards per game over his last four starts, scoring four total TDs while handling 76% of SF’s RB carries and all goal-line work.
The matchup screams smash spot for Mason. Seattle’s front has allowed 1,123 rushing yards to RBs through eight games, and their linebackers have missed 42 tackles. With Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell on IR, Mason is the last man standing in a Kyle Shanahan ground scheme that leads the league in yards per carry (5.1). Expect zone-read concepts and outside zone looks that exploit Seattle’s over-pursuing edge defenders, setting up cut-back lanes for Mason, who is averaging 3.8 yards after contact per attempt. Game script should favor a 28-plus-minute time of possession plan as San Francisco attempts to protect a backup quarterback and keep the ball away from Seattle’s explosive offense. Additionally, Mason has converted 7-of-8 carries inside the 5-yard line into touchdowns, giving him a floor-ceiling combo rarely available outside the top-five RBs. He’s a locked-in top-5 fantasy RB this week.