A few years ago this was the premier match up in the NFC West. Now, thanks to completely inept team owenership by the San Francisco 49ers (0-1), it’s like an FCS team facing an SEC team. The Seattle Seahawks (0-1) aren’t Alabama in this scenario, but they’re at least Auburn.
Again, this one is coming in right at the finish line thanks to an unprovoked flora attack on modern human civilization as a fallen tree took out power and internet in my area all morning.
The Game: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (-13.5)
The History
When the NFL realigned in 2002, the Seattle Seahaks left the AFC West behind to join the NFC West. It was a good move for them as it’s resulted in three Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl win.
Most of the games between the two franchises have happened over the last 16 seasons and the Seahawks have built a 22-15-1 series lead.
The 49ers haven’t beaten Seattle since December, 2013. The Seahawks have won seven straight, their longest streak in the series including a 23-17 playoff win in January, 2014.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (0-1)
Those dastardly 49ers fooled me. Not enough for me to pick them to win last week or even keep the Carolina Panthers from covering the spread. I did think, based on what I’d seen in the preseason, that they’d put up more than three points. If anything, this game could get even uglier.
In the past, and I’ve written this a lot, quarterback Brian Hoyer seems to be OK when the pressure isn’t on him. Did he too think the team looked a little too sharp on offense in the preseason? That would exploain his 24 of 35 for 193 yards and a pick performance against Carolina.
There are still some legitimately good players on this team and you’ve got to feel for them. Carlos Hyde rushed just nine times, but gained 45 yards. On defense, DeForest Buckner racked up 11 tackles and Navarro Bowman had eight. I guess it always helps to look at the bright side.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (0-1)
The Seahawks tried and failed to fix their offensive line issues this off-season. Seattle’s front line could not have looked worse against the Green Bay Packers and Russell Wilson was running for his life most of the day. Unfortunatley for the Seahawks, one of the strengths, at least personnel wise, on this 49ers team is rushing the passer. While the Niners’ defense may be a significant downgrade from what Seattle faced last week, Wilson will still have to use his feet to stay out of the dirt.
Getting a running game going will help the Seahawks a lot. Thomas Rawls practiced all week and should get the start. He’ll be mixed in with Eddie Lacy and Chris Carson. Don’t be surprised if we see a lot of read option looks this week to try to get those San Francisco defensive linemen thinking.
Paul Richardson stepped in well enough for the departed Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin remains the team’s most reliable playmaker. Seattle has to get Jimmie Graham more involved, if for no other reason than to justify the trade that brought him to the Pacific Northwest and all the money they’re paying him.
While the offense struggled, the defense was still the classic Seattle unit. They held Green Bay scoreless for the first half and, frankly, giving up 17 points to an Aaron Rodgers quarterbacked team is a solid effort all around.
The Pick
I’ve been scared of these big lines all week, but I don’t see how the 49ers get a ball in the end zone here. Truthfully, with Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor in the defensive backfield, the Seattle defense may score two touchdowns all by themselves. While I still have no faith in the Seahawks’ offensive line, there should be enough plays there on offense to win this one pretty easily. Seahawks 31, 49ers 9
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 1-0
Season
Straight up: 10-6
Against the spread: 9-7
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