With a second straight loss Sunday, the San Francisco are in danger of missing the playoffs after making three-straight NFC title games. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have shaken off a few bumps and now look like the Super Bowl contenders the world expected them to be early in the season.
Can the 49ers shake off their bad performances with a big one on the road? Or will the Seahawks continue to make a case as the class of the NFC West? Read on as we break down this exciting divisional game. NFC West not your flavour? You can also read our complete previews for AFC South’s Texans vs. Colts and AFC North’s Bengals vs. Browns.
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San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks Preview
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle
When: Sunday, December 14, 4:25 PM ET
Line: San Francisco 49ers (+9.5) at Seattle Seahawks (-9.5); total: 38.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers followed up a humiliating 19-3 home loss to Seattle on Thanksgiving with a 24-13 loss to the Oakland Raiders that puts them in real trouble. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick finished with 174 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions as San Francisco failed to score 20 points for the sixth time in seven games.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Kaepernick threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage to set up Oakland’s opening score and was sacked five times. After a disappointing game against Oakland, the Niners quarterback may be left gun shy especially going against Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman. The brash Seahawk had two picks against Kaepernick on Thanksgiving.
Anquan Boldin may be a viable target to help Kaepernick open up his passing game. The Niners wide receiver has team-highs of 68 receptions and 843 yards among San Francisco’s receiving corps. However, finding Boldin may pose quite a challenge to Kaepernick as the Seahawks lead the league in pass defense (190.4 yards allowed per game) through Week 14.
The Niners may continue to stumble especially with a struggling running game. Lead back Frank Gore has failed to top the century mark in his last eight games while failing to score in the last four. Meanwhile, Carlos Hyde hasn’t fared much better, rushing for 2.8 yards per carry in the past four games.
Still, a clicking San Francisco offense should have a chance to win the game considering how their defense fared against Seattle in Week 13. The Niners had three sacks and three forced fumbles as they kept Seattle out of the end zone, allowing only one touchdown in the game.
The total has gone under in San Francisco’s last four games against Seattle.
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Betting on the Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are peaking at the perfect time as they rolled to their third-straight win (3-0 ATS) on Sunday. Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and the rest of the Legion of Boom held Philadelphia’s high-powered offense to 139 total yards (the fewest under head coach Chip Kelly) and 2-for-11 on third down. The Eagles have averaged around 73 plays per game, but ran only 45 as the Seahawks took possession for a franchise-record 41:56 in a 24-14 win.
The same defensive display from Seattle may be too much for the struggling offense of the Niners. The Seahawks limited San Francisco to 164 total yards of offense on Thanksgiving, and left Niners quarterback Kaepernick with a season-low 121 yards passing.
The Seahawks were also in complete control on the other side of the ball. Quarterback Russell Wilson was lights out throwing for 263 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 48 yards and a score with his legs. Wide receiver Doug Baldwin caught five passes for 97 yards and a score while running back Marshawn Lynch had 86 yards on 23 carries and also hauled in a 15-yard receiving score.
Expect the Seahawks’ offense to keep clicking, especially after San Francisco surrendered 330 total yards against the worst offensive team in the NFL, the Oakland Raiders. The Seahawks also had a big game against San Francisco, racking up 379 total yards of offense on Thanksgiving thanks in large part to Wilson’s 236 yards passing and Lynch’s 104 on the ground.
The Seahawks are 7-0 ATS in the last seven matchups against San Francisco.
Writer’s Prediction
The Seahawks (-9.5) keep rolling and blowout San Francisco.
