Juju Smith-Schuster vs. Richard Sherman
It feels like yesterday Richard Sherman was ranting on the NFL on FOX after their dramatic NFC Title Game victory. Time flies!
Richard Sherman remains one of the top corners in the league. After no interceptions recorded last week, Mr. Sherman got the turnover game rolling with a pick 6 off of Winston in week 1 against the Bucs.
He comes in on a defensive squad ranked in the top 10 in scoring and total defense. Not only will Sherman present a challenge to a young quarterback in his first start, but also a young third-year receiver.
Juju Smith-Schuster comes in one pace to 80+ receptions and 1300 yards. Though these numbers would continue his case as a legitimate number one receiver, he has not found the endzone in the first two weeks.
The 49ers may opt not to have Sherman shadow him and instead double team him, leaving Sherman against a more inferior receiver in one on one situations. However, if they decide to let Sherman lock onto Juju, the third-year receiver out of USC will have to create big plays.
Juju has been getting his opponent’s best against him in the first two weeks. I don’t see the 49ers limiting Sherman’s coverage on Juju. He will have to prove he is every bit of a baller as he believes to be by Steelers fans and make big-time plays against a more-than-worthy competitor.