NFL Predictions: Seahawks vs. 49ers Preview

Written by Jake Thompson
Sunday, 11 September 2011 16:02

Our Seahawks vs. 49ers preview will include odds and predictions on the final score.

The Seattle Seahawks (0-0) go on the road for their week 1 clash with the San Francisco 49ers (0-0), and our NFL preview will go over what you should expect in this NFC West showdown.  Much has changed since last year when the Seahawks won 31-6 at home and the 49ers held serve with a 40-21 win in San Francisco, and this year’s preview is going to be quite a bit different than previous editions.

Injuries figure to play a part in our predictions, with Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch (ankle) and tackle Russell Okung (ankle) listed as probable, and guard Robert Gallery (knee) and wide receiver Sidney Rice (shoulder) considered doubtful.  The 49ers may be without cornerback Shawntae Spencer (hamstring) and safety Dashon Goldson (knee), but wide receiver Michael Crabtree (foot) has made a quick recovery and is expected to suit up after letting his fracture heal for a few weeks.

The home team has won the last 4 straight meetings in the Seahawks vs. 49ers series, while bettors taking the over were only winners in 1 of those games.  Legends Sportsbook has the NFL betting odds favoring the home-team 49ers at -5.5 on the point spread, while the over/under total sits fairly low at 38.  Each of those 4 previously mentioned home wins resulted in the road team failing to cover the point spread.

Alex Smith is back as the starting quarterback for the 49ers and new coach Jim Harbaugh should greatly improve his game.  Harbaugh has had plenty of success in getting the most out of quarterbacks, and I expect to see Smith go downfield quite a bit more than he has done in previous years.  That will open up the rushing lanes for running back Frank Gore, and I have high hopes that the 49ers will be productive on this side of the ball.  The Seahawks were one of the worst at defending the pass last season and they are going to once again have holes on defense.

Seattle made some big splashes in free agency but I still don’t trust Tavaris Jackson at quarterback.  He’s erratic with his throws and makes bad decisions, but he does have the ability to run which will help mask his deficiencies.  With the offensive line banged up, I’m not sure how much room Lynch is going to find between the tackles.  San Francisco’s defense looks good and they should improve on the points they allow with the offense being more productive and not constantly putting the “D” in bad spots.

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Our Seahawks vs. 49ers predictions call for this game to be fairly one-sided with San Francisco covering the point spread.  I don’t think the Seahawks are going to be a good team on either side of the ball this year and they’ll struggle more here than in most weeks because of all the new faces in key spots.  Although Jackson has been tagged as the heir apparent in Seattle, I don’t think he makes it more than a few games before Charlie Whitehurst is given the starting role.

Seahawks vs. 49ers Score Predictions:

Seahawks 13

49ers 27