Seahawks 49ers rematch is no trap game, but will be much closer

The Seahawks could clinch a postseason bid with a win over the 3-10 49ers, the team they wrecked by 27 points. Seattle is ready, but so is San Francisco.

Before the Seahawks hosted the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago, I worried that it was going to be a trap game for our boys in College Navy, Action Green and Wolf Gray. Looking back at the game, it seems pretty laughable. Happily laughable at that. Except that the Seattle secondary did get lit up for 414 yards by Nick Mullens. The Hawks allowed six completions over 20 yards, including a 75 yard scorcher to Dante Pettis. That can’t happen again.

Despite that, Seattle truly dominated San Francisco. I mean, the Hawks did win by nearly four scores. Our erstwhile rivals had no answer for Russell Wilson through the air. He was hyper efficient with four touchdowns, and indeed was a beast. The running game was solid as Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny combined for over 130 yards. And then there was Bobby Wagner, who cemented his position as the best defender in the NFL.

So I’ll admit, that wasn’t a trap game at all. With the playoffs in sight, there’s no way the Seahawks relax going into this week’s contest. I guarantee you, they’re well aware of what Mullens and his receivers can do. Especially so after tight end George Kittle absolutely shredded the Broncos last week for 210 yards. Yes, that was one game, and yes, he’s a tight end.

While I don’t think for a moment the Seahawks will look past the Niners, I do think this will be a closer game than the first. San Francisco outgained Seattle by more than 100 yards, had three more first downs, and converted a respectable seven of sixteen third downs. Not great, but not awful. Turnovers and penalties killed the Niners, as the Hawks recovered two fumbles and had Bobby Wagner’s glorious pick six. Seattle didn’t turn the ball over once, although they shared in the wrath of the officiating crew, as they had 10, nearly as awful as the 49ers 13.

I expect the 49ers will play a cleaner game at home, especially coming off their big win over the Broncos. Yeah, I know that was just their third victory, but they’re all big when they’re that rare. Pettis and Kittle are dangerous, and 98 yard interception returns don’t come too often. I expect the Seahawks will outplay the 49ers, to be sure, but I also expect this will be a closer contest. Look for the Seahawks to prevail with Wilson bouncing back. Seattle takes this one, 29 – 20.