NFC West rivals clash once again on Thanksgiving Night as Brock Purdy and the 49ers look to keep their new wave of momentum rolling against Geno Smith and the Seahawks.
Last December, the 49ers narrowly defeated the Seahawks, 21-13, on Thursday Night Football to secure the NFC West crown. Four weeks later, the teams were brought back together on Wild Card Weekend in San Francisco, where the 49ers handily downed the Seahawks, 41-23.
This isn’t the first time these teams have met on Thanksgiving Night, either. Back in 2014 when Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick were the starting quarterbacks and Jim Harbaugh coached San Francisco, the Seahawks handily defeated the 49ers. The 19-3 defeat sparked the beginning of the end of Harbaugh’s time in the Bay Area.
For Brock Purdy and company, a huge showdown and rematch awaits after this holiday weekend next week against the Eagles, and although this Thanksgiving Night match is not at all a trap game situation, the 49ers need to avoid looking too far ahead. Instead, they must focus on the task at hand: defeating the Seahawks.
All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga was confirmed to have torn his ACL in Week 11, and his presence will be sorely missed in the secondary.
For the Seahawks, who presently possess the NFC’s No. 6 seed, they need to look at this as a rebound opportunity after having stumbled against the Rams last weekend, which actually ensured a season sweep of Seattle in favor of the Rams. Coach Pete Carroll says it’s likely Geno Smith (right elbow) will be able to start this game, and Seattle will absolutely need him to do so. Jamal Adams is also trying to make a return from the lingering knee pain.
Click here for more Week 12 game previews.
Game Info
Date: Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023
Start time: 5:20 p.m. PT
Location: Seattle, Wash.
Stadium: Lumen Field
TV Info: NBC, NBC Sports, NFL+
Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of DraftKings.
Point Spread: SEA +6.5 (-112), SF -6.5 (-108)
Moneyline: SEA (+245), SF (-305)
Over/Under: O/U 43 (-110)
The Seahawks open as 6.5-point underdogs at home.
What To Watch For
The last Thanksgiving matchup shared between these two only totaled 22 points between both teams. That is not nearly as likely to occur this time, as both teams are in the top half of the NFL in points per game. Purdy had a marvelous outing during these teams’ meeting on Wild Card Weekend last season, throwing for 332 yards on just 18 completions, and will look to have a similar outing once again on the national stage. Seattle controls its own destiny in the playoff chase, currently a full two games clear of the Packers, and a win would further bolster their chances.
Main Image Credit:
