The San Francisco 49ers know they can't afford a letdown against the Seattle Seahawks after their huge win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13.

A victory against Seattle could punch the 49ers' ticket to the postseason and almost virtually guarantee a second successive NFC West title for San Francisco.

But a shock defeat in a game for which they are 14-point favorites would leave the 49ers with an uphill battle for the one seed in the conference, having pulled with a game of that by blowing out Philadelphia. Beyond quarterback Brock Purdy, there are five players who stand out as key to the 49ers ensuring they take care of business.

WR Deebo Samuel

Samuel has scored five touchdowns in his last four games, with three of those coming in the 49ers' rout of the Eagles.

Beyond finding the endzone, Samuel's impact has been obvious as the strain he and Christian McCaffrey put on linebackers has allowed San Francisco to have its way with opposing defenses since the bye.

The Seahawks were one of those victims on Thanksgiving and, if the 49ers do what is expected and prevail in routine fashion, Samuel will likely have played a key role. 

G Jon Feliciano

Feliciano will get the chance to step in for a fourth game of the season with starting right guard Spencer Burford out because of a knee injury.

The veteran did the same in the Thanksgiving matchup in Seattle and has proven a reliable fill-in on both sides of the line this year.

San Francisco pushed around the Seattle defensive line in that contest, and the Niners will need Feliciano to prove similarly solid this time around to prevent their offense from being disrupted by interior pressure.

DT Javon Kinlaw

Kinlaw ended a long wait in the 49ers' win over the Eagles as he recorded a pair of sacks, his first since his rookie season in 2020.

The former 14th overall pick has finally put a lingering knee injury behind him and ranks 18th in pass rush win rate on true pass sets among interior defensive linemen, per Pro Football Focus.

This week, he will get the chance to start with Arik Armstead out with knee and foot injuries. It's a huge opportunity for a much-maligned player to prove he is a talent worth the capital the Niners spent on him three years ago.

DE Nick Bosa

Kinlaw's job will be a lot easier if the 49ers' reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa succeeds in dominating off the edge as he has done consistently against Seattle during his career.

Bosa, Chase Young and backup defensive ends Clelin Ferrell and Randy Gregory had to be more disciplined in their rush against the Eagles to prevent Jalen Hurts from consistently breaking the pocket.

They achieved that goal. This week, with the Seahawks either starting backup Drew Lock, the 49ers should be able to pin their ears back and get to the quarterback, and that could mean a huge day for Bosa.

CB Charvarius Ward

Ward earned a post-game turkey leg in the 49ers' Thanksgiving win at Lumen Field for his efforts in locking down DK Metcalf in primetime for the second successive year.

The 49ers' number one corner backed up that performance with a similarly strong showing against A.J. Brown in Philadelphia.

He will likely shadow Metcalf again this week and should not be lulled into thinking it will be an easy task after Seattle's star receiver scored three touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys last week.

The 49ers' defense is the best in the NFL at preventing explosive plays. Chunk gains are Seattle's primary avenue towards staying in the game against San Francisco, and Ward's ability to hold Metcalf in check will be crucial to the Niners preventing the Seahawks from keeping things close.

49ers confirm inactives for Week 14, vs. Seahawks

No surprises here.