WRITE UP IS NOT MINE.
wow! Did you see what the Seahawks did to the Saints on Monday Night Football?! So did everyone else and we’re always quick to point out that the worst time to step in on a team is after a game like that. A win here by the 11-1 Seahawks just formalizes that they will be hosting the NFC Championship after beating whatever wildcard dregs bubble up in round two. A loss here wouldn't change that much since the Seahawks still would have a two game lead over the 49ers but that’s not to say that Seattle won’t be motivated. However, the Seachickens are just a little too high for our liking. Every sportscast, every NFL preview show, every sports talk radio show has been raving all week about how this Seattle team can’t be beat. Make no mistake - these Seahawks are a great team in all facets and in games that they win by smaller margins are usually because they know they don't have to try too hard to win. It would come as no surprise to see a lesser effort here from Seattle after they have already destroyed the 49ers once this year and after that highly charged up win over the Saints on Monday.
Besides, the 49ers are no pushovers and they absolutely have something to prove here. This is a team with outstanding defense that has allowed just 52 points against over the past four games against Carolina, New Orleans, Washington and St. Louis. The 49ers are one of the best pass defenses in the league and have only allowed three touchdowns by a quarterback in the last five home games almost with marginal yardage in most cases. Russell Wilson will have to throw more than eight completions this time and even then he threw 19 times for those eight catches (Wilson passed for only 142 yards and one score on his eight completions in the first meeting). Colin Kaepernick was supposed to have a big year but that’s not been the case at all. Frankly, the entire 49ers team has been inconsistent and it’s no secret that the 49ers have not defeated a playoff team yet this year while losing to every team that is likely going to the playoffs (Indy, Seattle, Carolina and New Orleans). Now they’re spotting spots to the best team in the NFL? The oddsmakers didn’t error here. They are very aware that this late Sunday afternoon game is going to attract a ton of action. The oddmakers also know they could have made this game a pick-em and not swayed a single wager. They’re gambling that the 49ers are going to play their best game in two years and/or the Seahawks will not be great on Sunday. Indeed the Seahawks have appeal taking back points but if the better team won every time out we’d all be rich. When the oddsmakers make a statement, like they are here, you would be wise to listen. That statement says to lay the points because they are begging you to take them.