NFL Week 16 – San Francisco vs Seattle
An NFC West showdown comes our way on Saturday when the surprising San Francisco 49ers travel to Seattle to take on the equally surprising Seahawks.
San Francisco 49ers (11-3) at Seattle Seahawks (7-7)
When: 4:15 PM ET, Saturday, December 24, 2011
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Broadcast: FOX
49ers vs. Seahawks Betting Lines from betonline.com
Spread: 49ers -1.5
Moneyline: 49ers -135: Seahawks +115
Over/Under: 38 points
Both teams are in the midst of their own playoff races – for San Francisco a top two seed is on the line and for the Hawks, a Wild Card spot is not quite out of reach. With both teams having something to play for, Saturday is shaping up to be an unexpectedly important clash.
The San Francisco 49ers have been all about defense this season and on Monday night that defense was on display in a 20-3 beat down of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The offense has done just enough to keep the team winning and has done a remarkable job of limiting potential game-changing mistakes.
The 49ers own the 29th ranked passing offense – chances are that Alex Smith’s arm is not going to win this game. They own the 9th ranked running game headlined by Frank Gore who is having another Pro Bowl caliber season. Gore has been slowed by injury but is still very effective out of the 49ers backfield.
Defense, as mentioned, has been the cornerstone of this team. They are a pedestrian 21st against the pass and the Number One rush defense in the NFL. This team allows a staggeringly low 71.50 yards per game on the ground and allows an incredible 13.21 points per game, also tops in the league. The 49ers have not allowed a rushing touchdown all season long and have not allowed a 100 yard rusher in their last 10 games.
The Seattle Seahawks also have a defense that has brought the team back to prominence. But it has been the play of Marshawn Lynch that has propelled the Hawks toward a most improbably playoff battle. Lynch has scored in a Seahawk record 10 straight games and is coming off a two touchdown performance last week against Chicago. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Like San Francisco, the Seattle passing game isn`t going to win them many games. They are the 23rd ranked passing attack with Tarvaris Jackson acting as a game manager rather than a weapon in the offensive attack. Not long ago Seattle had the 30th ranked running game in the league. But they have averaged 147.7 yards per game on the ground in their last seven and have climbed to 22nd in the NFL. The running game won`t find much room against San Francisco`s incredible run defense – the Hawks have to hope that Tarvaris and the banged up receiving corp. can step up on Saturday.
Defense has been a strong aspect of Seattle`s game all season long. They are 13th against the pass and 11th against the run.
Betting Prediction: The San Francisco 49ers are 10-2 SU and 9-1-1 ATS in their last 12 games but are just 6-15 SU in their last 21 on the road. The 49ers are 2-6 SU in their last eight trips to Seattle and are 2-5 ATS in their last seven visits to the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle Seahawks are 5-1 SU in their last six games and are 6-3 SU and 7-2 ATS in their last nine at home. They are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games against the NFC. The home team has covered the Spread in the last five meetings.
The Seattle Seahawks have been playing their best football of the season as winners of five of their last six games – they are not going to lay down for the juggernaut 49ers. They are motivated, confident and most of all, they will have an incredible home field advantage in this one. That said, San Francisco`s defense is on a completely different level. In a low scoring game, I like the 49ers to do just enough to prevail. If the 49ers stop Marshawn Lynch, they stop the Seahawks. I think they can do that!
Pick: San Francisco 49ers -1 ½
