Sunday’s late slate of games kicks off with the Seattle Seahawks (6-4) squaring off against their NFC West rivals, the San Francisco 49ers (1-9), at Levi’s Stadium.
If, for some reason, you want to watch this one, tune your satellite receiver, cable box, television, mobile device or PC to the FOX television network at 4:05 p.m. EST.
The Game: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (+6.5)
O/U: 45.5
The History
The 49ers and Seahawks have faced off 38 times since 1976 with Seattle holding a 23-15 advantage in the all time series.
San Francisco has lost eight consecutive games to Seattle. Their last win came in December, 2013, a 19-17 victory at Candlestick Park.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-4)
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Seattle’s defensive back corps. Richard Sherman is definitely out for the year and there’s every indication that safety Kam Chancellor will join him. Shaquill Griffin is out with a concussion and now you’ve got to throw in cornerback Jeremy Lane to the list who is down with an illness. He might not play.
Other than that, it’s still bad. Cliff Avril may just be shut down for the year too. On top of that, back up offensive lineman Oday Aboushi is out with a shoulder injury. That’s the bad part.
Here’s the good part. Quarterback Russell Wilson is having the best season of his life and has hauled this team on his back to six wins. Any off-season bullshit between Wilson and the defense (especially Sherman) should be settled now. He’s the MVP of this team and it’s not even a contest. Last week in a 34-31 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Wilson was 26 of 42 for 258 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. He led the team in rushing with seven carries for 86 yards and a touchdown. This kind of thing is happening every week now. No one is surprised to see those numbers.
The surprise continues to be the Seahawks’ defense falling apart. Even before the injuries started piling up, this wasn’t the same unit that dominated the West for the last half decade. Father Time has hit this group hard and all at once.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-9)
The 49ers come into this game with an extra week of preparations thanks to the final bye week. Not only that, but they should be flying high after winning their first game of the season, a 31-21 whipping of the equally hapless New York Giants.
In that game, rookie C.J. Beathard was solid. He completed 19 of 25 for 288 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. He also ran for a touchdown. Carlos Hyde got the running game on track with 17 carries for 98 yards. Rookie Matt Breida carried the ball nine times for 55 yards and a score.
Beathard spread the ball around to eight different receivers. Marquise Goodwin only caught one pass but it was for an 83 yard touchdown. Grant Celek had four catches for 67 yards and a score. It was a solid effort all around and one that’s made head coach Kyle Shanahan decide to keep recent trade Jimmy Garoppolo on the bench. The 49ers are already talking about spending a franchise tag on Garoppolo next season (maybe to keep from signing him to a long term contract just yet). The book’s not closed on Beathard as a starter for Shanahan. Especially if he gets the job done here.
Safety Adrian Colbert is out for this game. Offensive tackle is questionable, but didn’t practice Friday. Everyone else should play.
The Pick
As short-handed as Seattle is with injuries in the defensive backfield, this game shouldn’t be much of a contest. But, the last time these two squads met up shouldn’t have been much of one either and it was a three point Seahawks win. I think Seattle’s offense is better now, even with the defensive failings. San Francisco just doesn’t have the horses to keep up. Seahawks 34, 49ers 20
This week
Straight up: 1-2
Against the spread: 1-2
Last week
Straight up: 5-8
Against the spread: 4-9
Season
Straight up: 92-67
Against the spread: 79-79
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