The San Francisco 49ers (13-4) will host the Seattle Seahawks (9-8) on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 4:30 p.m. ET. during Wild Card Weekend. This will be the third meeting of the season between the NFC West rivals, and Seattle lost both of the regular season matchups.
This will be the second postseason meeting between Seattle and San Francisco. The Seahawks won the only previous playoff matchup in the 2013 NFC Championship Game, 23-17.
The No. 2 seed 49ers have won 10 consecutive games heading into the playoffs, their longest win streak since the 1997 season. It is San Francisco’s third-longest winning streak of all time.
Seattle, the No. 7 seed, won its final two games to nab its 10th playoff berth in 13 seasons under Pete Carroll. The Seahawks were outscored 48-20 in their two regular-season losses to the 49ers.
Seahawks veteran quarterback Geno Smith and 49ers rookie Brock Purdy will be making their first career playoff starts. Carroll has a 10-8 postseason record, and Kyle Shanahan has won four of his six playoff games.
Seahawks vs 49ers Odds
The 49ers were 10-point favorites as of Monday, Jan. 9 at noon ET on Caesars Sportsbook. Considering San Francisco beat Seattle by 20 points at home this season and eight points on the road, the spread certainly seems justifiable.
The final score could be closer this time, as there is much familiarity between the two teams, and we may not see the blowout that many observers are expecting. Purdy has played very well, leading the 49ers to six consecutive wins, but he is still an inexperienced QB making a playoff debut, so the Seahawks may stick close for a while.
Take a look at the best Seahawks odds and 49ers odds for the 2023 NFL season.
Seahawks vs 49ers Implied Totals
49ers 26.5, Seahawks 16.5
At 43 total points, oddsmakers expect San Francisco to win by about a touchdown and a field goal. This will not be a shootout, but the 49ers will score enough to beat the Seahawks by a comfortable margin.
Seahawks vs 49ers Pick of the Day
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Seahawks vs 49ers Prediction
49ers 23, Seahawks 16
I am sticking close to the implied total, but trimming a few points off the projected San Francisco output. My expectation is that the game will be tighter than the first two meetings, but the 49ers will still prevail.
The Seahawks are at their best offensively when the running game is clicking, as top rookie RB Kenneth Walker III has rushed for 100-plus yards in three consecutive games. But the 49ers had the best run defense in the NFC in the regular season and held Walker to 47 yards in the Week 15 meeting, so Seattle is not going to be able to establish optimum offensive balance.
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Seattle won’t score more than two TDs, but the 49ers do rank 20th in pass defense, so Smith can move the ball effectively enough via DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to set up a few field goal attempts for the normally accurate Jason Myers (91.9 FG%).
In their last four games, the Seahawks have not allowed more than 24 points, and that total was allowed against Kansas City’s league-best offense (29.2 points per game). Seattle’s secondary has held up well against many top wide receivers, as they led the NFC in yardage allowed to the position.
But the 49ers have the ultimate weapon to make a difference in RB Christian McCaffrey. The Seahawks are without top LB Jordyn Brooks, who is on the IR with a knee injury, and they ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed to RBs and 27th in receiving yards allowed to the position during the regular season.
McCaffrey rushed for 108 yards in his last meeting with the Seahawks and George Kittle had 93 receiving yards and two TD catches. Those two playmakers will ultimately give the 49ers the edge, and Kittle has a favorable matchup, as Seattle allowed the most receiving yards to TEs during the regular season.
Seahawks vs 49ers Bet Tips
Here are a few Seahawks vs 49ers betting trends to consider before making your bets:
- The 49ers are 8-0 ATS in their last eight games vs divisional opponents.
- The Seahawks are 6-2 ATS in their last eight Wild Card Games.
- The Under is 4-0 in Seattle’s last four games.
Seahawks vs 49ers Best Bets
Under 43 Points (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 2 Units
San Francisco will hone in on attempting to limit Walker, as he can be the engine of the Seattle offense. Putting the game in Smith’s hands will be an effective route to limiting points, as he has passed for less than 240 yards and five total TDs in his last four games.
Purdy has passed for two-plus TDs in all games where he has guided the offense, but he was held to 217 passing yards in the first meeting and he has topped 240 passing yards just once. The level of intensity gets turned up in the postseason, and Purdy could flame out on some early drives.
Ultimately, I expect McCaffrey to give the 49ers the edge, and Kittle can bust loose for a big play, but both teams will have their fair share of failed drives.
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Seahawks +10 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
I think many will elect to lay the points with the 49ers, but I do not see this game being a one-sided affair. While the expectation here is not for Seattle to win, points will have to be earned on both sides and the game may not be decided until late.
In the NFL, I don’t think it’s easy to beat the same team three times in a season, and Carroll will have his team well-prepared for the postseason atmosphere. Wagering on a double-digit spread is expecting Seattle to get stomped, and I believe it can turn in a respectable performance in a loss.
Carroll and defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt will be focused on containing McCaffrey, while Smith, who was intercepted once in two games by the 49ers, will aim to limit turnovers to keep the Seahawks in the game.
