The Seattle Seahawks line up against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC West divisional matchup to conclude the 2019 regular season. While both teams will be playoff-bound, Sunday’s game will determine who takes home the title of NFC West champion.
The Seahawks lead the all-time series, 25-16, and have secured victories in 10 of the last 11 matchups between the teams. That includes the Seahawks’ 27-24 overtime win on Nov. 11 of this season.
The 49ers have won one of their last two, with the loss coming to the Atlanta Falcons and the win coming against the Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks, meanwhile, have lost their past two games to the Rams and Arizona Cardinals.
Seattle features an electric offense with MVP candidate Russell Wilson and talented receivers in Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. The Seahawks’ ground game had been going strong, too, but Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise have been ruled out for the season finale due to injuries and Rashaad Penny landed on injured reserve.
For San Francisco, Jimmy Garoppolo has been playing solid football. The receiving unit is led by tight end George Kittle, followed by Emmanuel Sanders and speedy rookie Deebo Samuel. Raheem Mostert has turned many heads and cemented himself as the starting running back, overpowering Tevin Coleman, Matt Breida, and the injured Jerick McKinnon for the role.
Seattle’s defense is led by a group of dominant stars, including Jadeveon Clowney, Jarran Reed, Bobby Wagner, and Rasheem Green. Leading the Seahawks with four sacks is Green.
As for San Francisco, rookie Nick Bosa is on his way to being named Defensive Player of the Year, but surprisingly, it’s not him but rather Arik Armstead on the top of the sack leaderboard with 10. Former Seahawk Richard Sherman leads the team with a trio of interceptions.
Playoff Scenarios
The Seahawks have a quartet of possible scenarios on the line this week. Quite simply, a loss would confirm they take a Wild Card spot. A win plus a Green Bay win means the Seahawks clinch the NFC West but still play on Wild Card weekend. A win plus a Green Bay loss would give the Seahawks a first-round bye, locking them into the No. 2 seed. Lastly, a Seattle win plus a Green Bay loss and a New Orleans loss would give the Seahawks home-field advantage throughout the entire NFC playoffs.
The scenarios are a bit more tidy for the Niners. With a win, San Francisco secures the No. 1 seed in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. With a loss, the 49ers would hold the No. 5 seed. A tie would make this much messier. While unlikely, a draw would give the 49ers the NFC West title. If San Francisco ties and both the Packers and Saints win, the Niners become the No. 3 seed. If either the Packers or Saints lose, though, a San Francisco tie would put them in second place within the conference, handing them a first-round bye. Lastly, if the 49ers tie the Seahawks and the Packers tie the Saints, the Niners will get the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage up until the Super Bowl.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019
Time: 8:20 p.m. EST
Venue: CenturyLink Field
Location: Seattle, Wash.
TV: NBC
Betting Odds
Spread: SF -3.5 (-110), SEA +3.5 (-110)
Total: 46.5 (Over 100, Under -122)
Moneyline: SF -182, SEA +160
Prediction
The Seahawks may have lost their last two in a row, but they will be able to overcome the 49ers for the second time this season. Losing your top three running backs is a huge loss, but Seattle should be able to use their excellent defense to find the Achilles heel of an impressive San Francisco offense. However, Green Bay won’t lose, so Seattle will still be playing on Wild Card weekend as they hold up the fort with the No. 3 seed in the NFC.
Final score: Seahawks 31, 49ers 27
