by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2022
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Where to watch: Prime Video
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: 49ers -3.5; 49ers -175, Seahawks +150; O/U 43
FanDuel: 49ers -3; 49ers -176, Seahawks +148; O/U 43.5
BetMGM: 49ers -3.5; 49ers -175, Seahawks +145; O/U 43
Caesars: 49ers -3; 49ers -178, Seahawks +150; O/U 43
Season record
49ers: 9-4 (1st place, NFC West)
Seahawks: 7-6 (2nd place, NFC West)
We’re coming down the home stretch of the NFL season and there’s still a lot left to get excited for on your TV screen (or your streaming device if you’re like me and watch Sunday Ticket on a Fire Stick. That works, too). Nevertheless, the final few weeks of the regular season are going to be hectic for everyone on the field, but just as much as everyone off it. You’re probably going to need to figure out which plays are the best ones in terms of teams sitting the star players for the playoff advantage, or which teams are going all in for the final playoff push. If you need that extra push, trust that our champion handicappers can get the job done for you. Matt Fargo has a 17-9-0 run over the last 30 days in the NFL. Brian Bitler has continued to stay consistent, despite a wild, unpredictable season, by going 16-9-0. Do you want a piece of this action? Make sure to stay locked to bigal.com and follow our champion handicappers so you can be a champion, too!
49ers - Seahawks preview, analysis and prediction
Last week
49ers: won 35-7 vs. Buccaneers
Seahawks: lost 30-24 vs. Panthers
49ers analysis
It’s Brock Purdy’s world and we’re all just paying rent. Mr. Irrelevant has continued to defy the odds and has put the San Francisco 49ers in a position to wrap up the NFC West with a victory on Thursday night. I’ll be completely honest with you: There was nothing in Purdy’s game at Iowa State that attracted me to him being a really good quarterback. But in his first career start — I don’t care if he’s washed up — Purdy outplayed Tom Brady in a 35-7 win. Purdy became the first rookie in the Super Bowl era with two touchdown passes, a rushing touchdown and a quarterback rating greater than 125 in his first career start. He has thrown two touchdown passes in back-to-back-games, and has given this team life after losing Jimmy Garoppolo for the season.
In addition to that, Christian McCaffrey has found a groove with his new team and last game was the Run CMC of old. He had 153 yards from scrimmage and two total touchdowns last week in the first game in which he’s really shined in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. This is absolutely what the 49ers hoped, in addition with a strong defense making plays every which way. Nick Bosa has 14.5 sacks this season.
San Francisco’s six-game winning streak has also been highlighted by a 5-1-0 run against the spread in the last six, with four of them covering by double digits. The over has also hit in three of the last four, mainly due to timely scoring and the improbability of Purdy coming in and performing as well as he has.
Seahawks analysis
The Cinderella dreams are near an end for the Seattle Seahawks after what was a promising time early on. Before the 49ers went on their run, Seattle was kings of the castle in the NFC West. But thanks to three losses in four games — all by one score — the Geno Smith fairy tale is nearing its end unless they can stage a run at a wild card spot.
The Seahawks have failed to cover in four straight, including the 27-23 win at the Rams on Dec. 4. That result, albeit a should-be win, is another instance that the Seahawks are still a player or two away from remaining a constant threat in the NFC West. Smith passed for 264 yards and 3 touchdowns last week, but two interceptions doomed him in the 30-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers at home.
Seattle has been getting involved in trackmeets, which should normally benefit that group with their defense. Unfortunately, the defense has been getting torched lately by giving up at least 30 points in two of the last three. Again, the 23 given up by the Rams can’t be overstated because of no Matthew Stafford or Cooper Kupp.
If Seattle is going to have a chance in this game, the defense needs to show up and put some pressure on the rookie quarterback.
Prediction
The good news for the 49ers is that Purdy doesn’t need to dominate. He just doesn’t need to turn the ball over. If the Seahawks can’t force turnovers, it’s going to be a long night. McCaffrey can take the game over at any time. Don’t let him get too comfortable. Unfortunately for the Seahawks, with what’s at stake, that won’t last long. 49ers by 10
Betting trends
49ers are 9-1 ATS after winning 5 of 6 of their last 7 the last 2 years.
49ers are 6-0 ATs after allowing 99 rushing yards or fewer in four straight games the last 2 seasons.
Seahawks are 76-51 ATS in December since 1992.
The over is 34-17 when the 49ers are on the road after 2 straight games of a turnover margin of +1 or better since 1992.
Statistical leaders
49ers:
Passing: Jimmy Garoppolo – 2,437 yards, 16 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Christian McCaffrey – 819 yards, 5 TD
Receiving: Brandon Aiyuk – 755 yards, 7 TD
Defense: Nick Bosa – 14.5 sacks
Seahawks:
Passing: Geno Smith – 3,433 yards, 25 TD, 8 INT
Rushing: Kenneth Walker – 649 yards, 9 TD
Receiving: Tyler Lockett – 896 yards, 8 TD
Defense: Tariq Woolen – 6 INT
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
