49ers vs Seahawks NFL Playoffs Betting?
Trench Warfare – 49ers Visit Seahawks In Battle of the NFCs Best
An NFC West showdown of epic proportions awaits this Sunday as the Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers to see who will represent the NFC at the Super Bowl February 2.
San Francisco (12-4) at Seattle (13-3)
When: 6:30 PM ET, Sunday, January 19, 2014
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Broadcast: FOX
49ers vs. Seahawks Betting Lines
San Francisco 49ers +3½ -110 +160 Ov 39½ -110
Seattle Seahawks -3½ -110 -180 Un 39½ -110
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To say this battle is intriguing is a colossal understatement – both teams rely on strong defenses, solid running games and dual-threat quarterbacks that are almost impossible to game-plan against.
The teams split their two matchups this year so far but Seattle has absolutely owned the 49ers at CenturyLink the last couple of years – the Hawks outscored the 49ers 71-16 in the last two meeting in Seattle.
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Buckle up folks, we are likely in for an old-fashioned smash-mouth game in which one play could determine the victor.
The San Francisco 49ers have already proven this year that they can win on the road in the playoffs – impressive victories in Green Bay and in Carolina have carried them to the NFC Title game.
We also know that the Niners are a different team from the one that got blown out 29-3 the last time San Francisco paid visit to the Pacific Northwest – Colin Kaepernick has found his groove and Michael Crabtree’s return has made a world of difference for the team.
Kaepernick however has shown that he can’t handle the crowd noise and what the Seattle defense brings when playing on home turf.
Kaepernick is responsible for five turnovers the last two starts in Seattle but is still a dual-threat guy that can beat you with his legs as much as his arm. The team as a whole gained just 207 yards in the first meeting at CenturyLink and are now 0-5 ATS in their last five trips to the Pacific Northwest.
Anquan Boldin should see more room than he saw in the previous two meetings, Richard Sherman will be shadowing Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis will have to shake some sketchy performances in Seattle the last couple of years. Boldin has eclipsed the 90 yard mark in five of his past eight games, including his eight-catch, 136-yard performance against Carolina last week – he could be the difference maker Sunday. Boldin has 33 receptions, 554 yards in his last six playoff games.
Perhaps the biggest offensive key for San Francisco is Frank Gore and the Niners’ ability to attack the Seahawks on the ground. Gore has been effectively taken out of his games in Seattle but needs to be a big factor Sunday. The Niners have never averaged fewer than 4.3 yards per carry against Seattle, and they have rushed for 100 yards or more in three of the four contests.
San Francisco’s defense will do its part. This is a unit that held Cam Newton and a similar Carolina offense completely in check last week. The 49ers held the Panthers’ running backs to 33 yards on 13 carries Sunday and made a pair of goal-line stands. San Francisco has the most dominant front seven in the game and will be at least formidable Sunday. They allowed just 17 points per game this year (3rd in the NFL) and they have the #4 run defense in the game.
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The Seattle Seahawks certainly earned home field advantage and they used it last week in a win against New Orleans. But the offense, particularly Russell Wilson has not played all that well the last quarter of the season. Wilson completed just nine passes for 103 yards last week and has reverted back to the “game-manager” that many envisioned before he exploded toward the middle of the season. He has averaged just 116 yards passing in his last three games overall – good thing for the running game that has averaged 129 yards per game over that span.
Percy Harvin’s availability will is important to say the least – he had 98 total yards in a game against SF last year – most of any individual player in any game versus the 49ers in 2012. Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse are OK options but Harvin, if in there is a legitimate threat each and every time he touches the ball.
But the gameplan should rightfully go through Marshawn Lynch who has had a fair amount of success against San Francisco’s stout defense. Lynch is a difference maker and seems to save his best for the home town crowd in the playoffs – just ask the New Orleans Saints.
The Seahawks defense is insane – they will definitely come to play. DEs Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril have been key additions to the team, CB Richard Sherman might be the best young defensive back in the NFL, and FS Earl Thomas is a difference-maker, too. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is a hot head coaching candidate for a reason – he builds a solid squad that plays hard each and every down.
Add in the raucous CenturyLink Field, where 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick has five turnovers in two starts and you have to figure that the Niners will have a hard time generating anything on Sunday.
2014 NFC Championship Football Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• SF are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 road games.
• Under is 7-3 in SF last 10 games overall.
• SF are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games in January.
• SEA are 12-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 6-2 in SEA last 8 playoff games.
• SEA are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
• Home team is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
Arguably the best rivalry in the NFL writes another chapter Sunday but if you are looking for a different script you may be disappointed. Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers have yet to show that they can handle what CenturyLink brings. They have been absolutely manhandled there the last two trips. Unless San Francisco has employed and effective rope-a-dope ahead of this game, I just don’t see any answers coming from their sideline. I’m hoping the line drops to under 3 but I am happy just the same taking Seattle at 3 1/2!
Pick: Seattle Seahawks -3 1/2
