The Seattle Seahawks are rolling right now and come into Sunday’s match-up with NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers on three game winning streak, taking out some of the NFL’s elite teams along the way. The Seahawks are 9-4 on the season and control their own destiny in the NFC West, looking to catch the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers for a top seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Conversely, the San Francisco 49ers dropped to 7-6 with an embarrassing loss this past weekend against their Bay Area rivals, the Oakland Raiders. The loss all but ends any hope of a return to the playoffs for Jim Harbaugh’s club, with this weekend’s action in CenturyLink field possibly being the final nail in their season’s coffin. Harbaugh’s future remains in doubt with the 49ers as it has been one bad story after another being reported from the 49ers camp.
Nothing would make Seattle’s 12th Man happier than ending the 49ers season at CenturyLink Field this weekend and the way each team is playing over the past month, that seems likely.
Here is a preview of what to expect when each club has the ball this Sunday:
When the Seahawks are on offense
The Seahawks pounded the ball last weekend in Philadelphia and left the Eagles high-flying offense on the sidelines for the vast majority of the game. Look for the Seahawks to continue this approach, with the team leading the NFL in rushing at 170.1 yards per game. Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell has been substituted a banged up Marshawn Lynch a little more frequently in recent weeks and look for that trend to continue. The quadruple headed monster of Lynch, Robert Turbin, Christine Michael, and QB Russell Wilson will look to make life difficult for the 49ers defense.
The 49ers have as much star power on defense as any team in the league. However, the Seahawks gashed them in San Francisco two weeks ago to the tune of 379 total yards (222 in the air and 157 on the ground). The 49ers have now decided to activate this week NaVorro Bowman after recovery from his torn ACL and MCL in last year’s NFC Championship game. Will Bowman be able to bounce back to his form in the 2013 NFL season where he was near the top of his game? It will be strange that he will be playing his first game back on the same field his was injured on, considering it was on the road.
Advantage: Seahawks
When the 49ers are on offense
As yours truly wrote in the preview two weeks ago, Colin Kaepernick makes at least two mistakes every week. On Thanksgiving, Kaepernick threw two interceptions and the Seahawks were able to capitalize on shutting down the 49ers offense.
The Seahawks defense is playing out of this universe right now despite missing Brandon Mebane along the defensive line. The return of MLB Bobby Wagner has moved others back into their natural positions and everything seems to be gelling for the Seahawks heading into the stretch run. One additional decision that seems to have been the right call by Pete Carroll and Dan Quinn is moving CB Byron Maxwell into the slot and allowing the youngster CB, Tharold Simon, to play on the outside. Maxwell has turned into an outstanding, all-around CB and his flexibility is allowing the staff to play more towards Simon’s current strengths.
Advantage: Seahawks
Special Teams
The Seahawks coverage units on Special Teams have been abysmal. Their return game is even worse. However, their kicking game remains a strength and quite frankly, the 49ers have been worse in every aspect of Special Teams in comparison.
Advantage: Seahawks … but not by much
Final Score Prediction: Seahawks 27, 49ers 10
The Seahawks unofficially end the 49ers season and take one step closer to catching the Arizona Cardinals.