San Francisco 49ers vs

Seattle Seahawks Prediction

San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks Prediction

In what should be another great rivalry game, the San Francisco 49ers (4-3) travel to Century Link Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks (5-1). The Seahawks are -3 home favorites (-170 ML), and the over/under currently sits at 53.5. In the stacked NFC West, every divisional game holds extreme significance, and these two teams always go at each other hard. Let’s take a look at what to expect when the defending-conference champion Niners go up against MVP frontrunner Russell Wilson and his Seahawks.

Seattle Seahawks Preview

The Seattle Seahawks had many fans and analysts whispering about the potential of the third-ever undefeated regular season after five dominant games. With quarterback Russell Wilson cooking at historic levels, and shredding every defense he encounters, they just looked like an offense that nobody in the league would be able to outscore. But then Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals came in and rained on Wilsons’ parade in Week 7. The Cards won 37-34 in overtime, setting the stages for an all-out dogfight of a second half in the NFC West.

Wilson has been as amazing as any QB has ever looked in the regular season. He’s on pace to absolutely shatter a handful of major statistical records, and he has shown no signs whatsoever of slowing down. He has turned second-year wide receiver D.K. Metcalf into a superstar, hooking up for at least 92 yards in five consecutive games. Metcalf had five TDs in that stretch, and catapulted to the league-lead in yards per reception (21.6). And against the Cardinals, Wilson reminded the world that Tyler Lockett is also still very much a thing in this league—the six-year vet caught 15-of-20 balls Wilson threw to him, good for 200 yards and three scores (if you’re scoring at home, that’s 53 fantasy points in a PPR league).

The running game has been strong for Seattle, as well. Chris Carson looked healthy and fresh out of the gate, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and netting 6.7 yards per catch. He has caught three touchdowns on the ground and three in the air. But he suffered a mid-foot sprain against Arizona, forcing Carlos Hyde to step in as the next man up. Hyde took 15 carries for 68 yards (4.5 yards per carry), but he also got hurt, apparently suffering a hamstring tweak. The absence of both backs would force coach Pete Carroll to go with 22-year old second-year man Travis Homer, who has only attempted 18 carries for 68 yards all season.

Seattle’s passing game can shoulder the load. But the Seahawks defense has been a load of dookie. They allow the most passing yards per game in the league (368.7), and only get to the QB for 1.5 sacks per game. They also allow the third-most points in fourth quarters (10.5), and surrender 6.5 third-downs conversions per game (seventh-most). With stud cornerback Shaquill Griffin likely out against San Fran due to a concussion as well as a hamstring issue, this defense could find a way to get worse before it gets better.

San Francisco 49ers Preview

If you only looked at San Francisco QB Jimmy Garoppolo’s line last week, you would be sure the 49ers lost on the road to his former team, the New England Patriots. The seven-year vet and fourth-year Niner threw for 277 yards and no touchdowns, and had two interceptions. But San Fran prevailed at Foxboro, and in dominant fashion. The final score was 33-6 and the final quarter saw Patriots QB Cam Newton getting benched.

Jimmy G has shown that he cares very little about the glory if he can get the win. It’s a mentality that fantasy owners likely hate but that his coaches love. The Week 6 victory was typical game-management stuff, and a lot of moving the ball in between the 20s. The Pats have a superb secondary, so coach Kyle Shanahan relied heavily on the Niners’ strong running game and let the defense do most of the talking. San Francisco handed the ball off 36 different times to five different players, including jet sweeps and end-arounds. With Raheem Mostert on IR, Jeff Wilson led the way with 17 carries for 112 yards and three touchdowns, but he suffered a high-ankle sprain that landed him on the IR.  JaMycal Hasty, who added nine totes for a crisp 57 yards last Sunday, will likely lead the backfield until Tevin Coleman returns from an IR stint of his own. 

The receiving game, while held largely in check last weekend due to game script, has been more than capable this season when healthy. The electric Deebo Samuel has caught 16 of his 22 targets in the three games he’s been healthy and active, but unfortunately he looks set to miss the next two games with a hamstring strain. Speedy rookie playmaker Brandon Aiyuk has looked very promising with a 14-yard reception average, and he and Kendrick Bourne have quietly collected for 551 yards. But this offense once again runs through superstar tight end George Kittle, who has 435 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns in five games, while maintaining a 77.8 percent catch rate.

Still, if the 49ers can ground-and-pound, they do. Their defense ranks in the top five in the NFL in points allowed (19.4/game) and total yards allowed (309.6). It ranks third in passing yards allowed (203.3), second in total passing touchdowns allowed (eight), and first in the league in rushing scores allowed (just four in seven games!). Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has his unit playing like it wants to go back to the Super Bowl right now.

While the 49ers only have 12 total sacks, they have 35 QB hits and 27 tackles for loss. Their constant pressure has led to eight interceptions and five fumble recoveries. They also have 35 pass deflections, and only allow 5.2 yards per play. San Fran only allows 4.1 third-down conversions per game, fourth-best in the nation. They are a complete unit, anchored by Fred Warner and Kwon Alexander and a blistering front-seven. It’s hard to believe they have performed so dominantly without defensive end Nick Bosa, perhaps the best defender in football, who suffered an ACL tear in Week 2 against the Jets.

Full Game Prediction

It’s hard not to like MVP frontrunner Russell Wilson at home coming off a tough loss to a divisional foe. While the Seahawks’ passing defense has been utterly abysmal, they have showed enough on run defense to be optimistic about them covering the spread. Jimmy G just doesn’t have enough mojo quite yet this season to outduel Wilson and his stud duo of receivers. Take Seattle -3 at home, and pound the OVER as long as it stays below 60 points. After a minor bump in Seattle’s road to its second Super Bowl run, nothing can stop Mr. Unlimited now.