As the Seahawks head into a tough matchup at Candlestick Park against the NFC West rival Niners, not oto many people expected that the Seahawks and 49ers would be tied in the division with a record of 4-2. At the beginning of the year, most expected San Francisco to run away with the division title in a weak division with the Seahawks, Rams, and Cardinals. However, the NFC West boasts the most wins of any division in football heading into week 7, atypical considering the history over the last few years, including the Seahawks winning the division in 2010 with a 7-9 record.
The Seahawks, led by rookie signal caller Russell Wilson, have surprised many with their hot start. Say what you will about the infamous miscue by the replacement refs against the Packers earlier in the season, the “Fail Mary” does not show up in the win/loss column any differently. They are also coming off a big home win against the New England Patriots last Sunday. The Seahawk’s top-ranked defense will look to continue to smother a shaky receiving corps of Moss, Crabtree, Manningham, and Davis.
Meanwhile, the 49ers will look to get back on track as they begin a stretch of games against all three NFC West opponents. Offensively, Alex Smith (8 TD’s 4 INTs, 3 of those last week against the Giants) is really coming into his own as one of the better quarterbacks this season. The 49er’s consistency in the running game is the key to their offense, also helping to rest a defense that is widely regarded as the best in the NFL. Heading into the matchup, they are ranked 1st in both rushing yards and yards allowed to opponents this season. A concussion to All-Pro left guard Joe Staley and the stifling Seahawks D will certainly affect San Francisco’s ability to effectively run the ball. The key to the 49ers offense is always to establish the run and control the line of scrimmage.
Ultimately, the game will be decided on the ability of Russell Wilson to make quick decisions against a top level defense. The lack of receiving corps and recent struggles of Marshawn Lynch to run the ball do not bode well for Seattle on the road. Lynch averaged over 112 yards per game in their first three games but in the last two, he has averaged only 63 yards including 41 yards on 15 carries last week against the Patriots. In the end, in a battle of defenses, the Niners will walk away with a big win within the division and will gain momentum going into the future NFC West matchups. The 49ers haven’t lost back-to-back games under Jim Harbaugh and don’t want to see that streak broken this week.
Prediction: San Francisco- 21 Seattle-3
Fantasy Impact Performer: SF-Frank Gore (75 rushing yards 1 TD)
By Zach Younker
