It is finally here, the showdown of the season. The most anticipated game for weeks now, the Seattle Seahawks will host the San Francisco 49ers for a battle of division supremacy. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as everything from the No. 1 seed to a wild card is still on the table for either team.
Both the Seahawks and the 49ers are seeking a long-sought-after division crown, which has eluded these organizations for several years now. The infamous rivalry between these two teams is at the best it has been since both met in the NFC Championship in the 2013 season.
The Seahawks already defeated the Niners on “Monday Night Football” earlier this season in perhaps the game of the year. Seattle outlasted San Francisco in a wild, back and forth showdown which lasted until the very final second of overtime. The Seahawks managed to escape with a 27-24 win, but circumstances are wildly different now.
The biggest concern is the health of both squads. When these two played earlier this year, San Francisco was hurting on offense. Superstar tight end George Kittle – who transforms both the passing and ground game with his blocking skills – was out. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders left the contest early and both tackles were shaky in their first start back from extended time missed due to injuries.
Now it is the Seahawks who are fielding a team of the walking wounded. Left tackle Duane Brown and wide receiver Malik Tuner will be inactive. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and corner Shaquill Griffin are slated to play, but both have missed the last two games with nagging injuries.
Also, the Seahawks are down their first, second and third-string running backs, prompting them to sign 33-year-old Marshawn Lynch back to the roster.
To say Seattle is shorthanded is the understatement of the week.
Prediction: Niners over Seahawks, 35-17
The Seahawks have surprised the world in the past, but it is hard to envision them being too competitive this Sunday night. The Niners simply hold the edge over them in nearly every aspect.
There is too much on the line for San Francisco to lose. They aren’t just playing for a division title, or a No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs – which are lofty accomplishments – they are also craving revenge on the Seahawks.
San Francisco has not won in Seattle since a 19-17 December victory during the 2011 campaign. Since then, the Niners have been outclassed eight-straight times in the Emerald City, only two of which have been by one score.
The return of “Beast Mode” should give Seattle an emotional boost, but it will only go so far. The Seahawks are out-manned and out-gunned.
It will take quite a turn of events for Seattle to shock the world.
