This Sunday, two NFC West rivals meet in a critical matchup during week 11 of the NFL season. The Seattle Seahawks will travel to face the San Francisco 49ers in a game set against the scenic backdrop of the Bay Area. Seattle is coming off a bye week after a heartbreaking 26-20 overtime defeat against the Rams on November 3, where they failed to cover the spread as a one-point underdog. Meanwhile, San Francisco pulled off a narrow 23-20 victory against Tampa Bay last Sunday, also missing the cover as a 6.5-point favorite. Historically, the Seahawks lead their all-time series against the 49ers 30-23, but San Francisco has won the last five encounters, including a 36-24 victory earlier this season on October 10, where they covered as a 3.5-point favorite.
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Who is favored to win this intense showdown? Discover our analysis on the Seahawks vs. 49ers matchup!
Seattle Aiming to Reclaim Momentum
The Seahawks enter this game with hopes of reversing their recent struggles. Coming off a bye, they had two weeks to prepare, but they limped into the break with five losses in their previous six games, including the overtime loss to the Rams. Seattle now holds a 4-5 record, tied for third place in the NFC West with the Rams, trailing the Cardinals by 1.5 games for the division lead. They also find themselves two games behind the Packers for the last wild card spot in the NFC playoff race. In their last game against the Rams, Seattle initially fell behind 3-0 but rallied to lead 13-3 at halftime with a flurry of points in the final moments of the first half. However, the Seahawks allowed 17 unanswered points, eventually tying the game late with a touchdown from Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Unfortunately for Seattle, a failed fourth-down conversion in overtime led to a game-winning drive for Los Angeles.
This season, the Seahawks excel in the passing game, ranking first in the league with an average of 268.2 passing yards per game. However, they sit at 27th in rushing offense, averaging just 91.2 yards on the ground. Seattle’s scoring offense ranks 15th, averaging 23.3 points per game, while their defense struggles, allowing an average of 24.6 points, landing them at 23rd in that category. Quarterback Geno Smith has thrown for 2,560 yards, with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Running back Kenneth Walker III leads the ground game with six touchdowns on 99 carries, while rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the team in receptions and yards.
As the weekend approaches, the Seahawks are dealing with significant injury concerns. Tight ends Noah Fant and Brady Russell missed practice due to injuries, along with center Connor Williams, who was absent for personal reasons. Defensive end Leonard Williams and linebacker Boye Mafe were also limited in practice, making their statuses uncertain for the game.
49ers on the Hunt for a Winning Streak
The San Francisco 49ers are riding high after securing their second consecutive win and three victories in their last four games. They enter this matchup with a 5-4 record, sitting in second place in the NFC West, just half a game behind the Cardinals. Last week, the 49ers took control of their game against Tampa Bay early, leading throughout and ultimately winning with a last-second field goal from Jake Moody. Despite some struggles with missed field goals, San Francisco outgained the Buccaneers in total offense, showcasing their ability to maintain possession and convert on key plays.
On the statistical front, the 49ers rank second in the league in passing, averaging 262.8 yards per game, and fifth in rushing, averaging 149.7 yards. Their scoring offense is solid, sitting seventh with an average of 25.9 points per game, while their defense ranks 17th, allowing 22.4 points on average. Quarterback Brock Purdy has been effective, throwing for 2,454 yards with 12 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Running back Jordan Mason leads the ground attack, and tight end George Kittle is a key target in the passing game.
Injury reports for the 49ers indicate several key players were limited in practice, including defensive end Nick Bosa and tackle Trent Williams, raising questions about their availability for the game. Other players, such as wide receiver Jauan Jennings and running back Christian McCaffrey, also faced limitations, which could impact their contributions.
Best Bets for Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
