49ers vs. Seahawks Picks with Odds and Expert Betting Predictions

From Weeks 1-16 each NFL regular season, the league schedules a Sunday night game - although some in the later weeks can be flexed out for a better matchup. The NFL doesn't pre-schedule a Sunday night game in Week 17 because it hopes to shift the most important game on the final day of the regular season to that prime-time spot on NBC - to the obvious potential loss for Fox or CBS.

Ideally, the league gets a winner-take-all game in that spot. It doesn't always work out, and in fact a few years ago there was such little drama that the NFL didn't even bother with a Sunday night game in Week 17. However, there was never any question what the prime-time matchup would be this week: 49ers at Seahawks , obviously is a big loss for Fox, which originally had the game.

The winner will be the champion of the NFC West. Seattle last won it in 2016 and San Francisco in 2012 when Jim Harbaugh was still coach and led the Niners to Super Bowl XLVII, a loss to his brother John's Ravens. The 49ers (12-3) clinch the top seed in the NFC with a victory as well (there are other options with ties, but I'm not getting into those). In theory, the Niners could finish in a three-way tie at 13-3 with NFC North champion Green Bay and NFC South king New Orleans, but the 49ers beat both this season.

Seattle (11-4) had a crushing home loss last week to Arizona that may well cost the Seahawks the top seed in the conference. The Seahawks can still get it, obviously with a win, but need losses by Green Bay in Detroit AND New Orleans in Carolina. Doubt either happens. The Seahawks would be the No. 2 seed if only the Packers lose . Obviously, all the other games are early, so both these clubs will know what's at stake when they take the field.

49ers at Seahawks Betting Story Lines

Seattle has not looked good the past three weeks, losing by 16 at the Rams in Week 14, barely winning at Carolina in Week 15 and then getting shockingly dominated at home by a bad Cardinals team this past Sunday, 27-13. The Seahawks were gashed on the ground for 253 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries. That has been a bit of a problem at times this season.

Russell Wilson's play also has slipped a bit, and his MVP chances are gone. He was 16-for-31 for 169 yards and a TD vs. the Cardinals. Wilson took five sacks - that also has been an issue at times. Wilson's skill position talent has really been thinned out. A couple of weeks ago, receiver Josh Gordon was suspended indefinitely again by the NFL (in retrospect, the Hawks should have gone for Antonio Brown as they considered) and running back Rashaad Penny was lost to a torn ACL.

Then against Arizona, tailbacks Chris Carson and CJ Prosise suffered injuries that will end their seasons. Thus, the only tailback left on the roster was sixth-round rookie Travis Homer. To no surprise, then, the team brought back two former Seahawks running backs this week off the street in Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin. Beast Mode was a fantastic player during his initial stint with the team from 2010-15, but he's way past his prime and last was seen doing shots of tequila with fans while tailgating before the final Raiders game in Oakland (where Lynch is from and team he last played with) on Dec. 15. To add insult to injury, left tackle Duane Brown had a minor knee procedure this week and is out a minimum of Week 17. Now you can see why Seattle is a rare home dog.

San Francisco is relatively healthy comparatively and even comes in on an extra day of rest, winning an entertaining back-and-forth home affair over the Rams last Saturday, 34-31 - that's four straight Niners games decided by seven points or fewer. Jimmy Garoppolo converted two unbelievable third-and-16 plays late in the fourth quarter to set up Robbie Gould's 33-yard winning field goal as time expired. San Francisco had failed on 50 straight third downs when needing at least 16 yards to convert before those two.

Jimmy G was just OK otherwise, completing 16 of 27 for 248 yards with a TD and two picks. He was under siege all night, sacked six times and hit many more. Starting right guard Mike Person missed the game with a neck injury and isn't likely for Week 17. Raheem Mostert has clearly taken hold of the primary tailback job and had 53 yards and a score on 11 carries. George Kittle continues to be a stud and arguably the best tight end in football with five catches for 59 yards and a score.

49ers at Seahawks Betting Odds and Trends

At 5Dimes, San Francisco is a 3.5-point favorite (+100) with a total of 47. On the moneyline, the 49ers are -180 and Seahawks +158. On the alternate lines, the Niners are -4 (+108) and -3 (-125). San Francisco is 5-2 against the spread on the road and 3-4 "over/under." Seattle is 2-5 ATS at home and 4-3 O/U.

The 49ers are 5-2 ATS in their past seven vs. teams with a winning record. They are 1-4 ATS in their past five as road favorites. The Seahawks are 12-5 ATS in their past 17 as home dogs. They are 2-5 ATS in their previous seven vs. the NFC West. The over is 7-1 in San Francisco's past eight vs. the NFC. It's 7-1 in Seattle's previous eight as a dog. The Niners are 1-6-1 ATS in their past eight in Seattle. The over is 6-2 in the previous eight meetings.

49ers at Seahawks Betting Prediction

San Francisco was the NFL's last unbeaten team when it hosted Seattle in Week 10 and lost 27-24 in overtime in a great game. The Niners didn't have the reliable Gould then due to injury. Replacement Chase McLaughlin did make a 47-yarder with one second left in regulation to send it to OT, but he badly, badly (humorously) missed a potential winner in OT. Seattle's Jason Myers did win it on a 42-yard kick as time expired.

How important is getting a win here and at least a No. 2 seed? The past six Super Bowl winners have had first-round byes. I simply can't take Seattle with all those guys missing. San Francisco wins 27-24 (yep, same score as first game) so I'll wait for the 2.5-point alternate line and give those points. Over the total.

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