Seahawks vs. 49ers: Staff predictions for week 15

The Seahawks need just one win to make the playoffs in 2018. Here is what our staff thinks about the week 15 matchup with the 49ers.

Here is where we want to be, Seahawks fans. With three weeks left in the season, Seattle needs just one win in their final three games to make the playoffs. Two of those games are against bad teams, the 49ers and the Cardinals. In week 15, Seattle faces the 49ers.

Will Seattle clinch the playoffs this week and end any nervous in the final two weeks? Here is what our staff thinks.

Kevin Daggett (co-host of the 12th Man Rising podcast)

No reason to think this game won’t be a repeat of a couple weeks ago. My hope of Mychal Kendricks bowling people over in the backfield is lost (can he serve his jail time while injured please?). But Seattle still has a defense that is improving week to week. #26 (Shaquill Griffin) resembled the old #25 (Richard Sherman) last week. Seattle’s run game is still strong. And the Seahawks need to keep Russell Wilson‘s mobility as a threat.

Prediction: Seahawks 35 Whiners 17

Luke Allen (contributor and expert at Ink on Indy)

The offense may have stalled for 3.5 quarters Monday night versus a stout Vikings defense, but I think they get back on track against the 3-10 49ers. On the other hand, the Seattle defense was outstanding, especially the cornerbacks against a very strong Minnesota receiving corps. They pitched a shutout for 58 minutes. The defense should keep this strong play going on Sunday in Santa Clara, in what will be the second time in three weeks the Seahawks take on Nick Mullens and the broken Niners. The Seahawks will get their ninth win of the year and clinch a playoff berth at Richard Sherman’s new house.

Prediction: Seahawks 29 49ers 10

Todd Vandenberg (co-expert)

The Seahawks turned in a total team effort against the Vikings. Well, a total effort if you ignore Russell Wilson’s passing miscues. I expect he’s got that out of his system now, especially as the 49ers still give up way too many touchdowns through the air. Look for Chris Carson to continue his beastly ways and Wilson to bounce back. The Niners are showing some fight, but they’ll only get a moral victory against Seattle by hanging tough for a while.

Prediction: Seahawks 29 49ers 20

Lee Vowell (co-expert)

I always feel like a jinx when I pick Seattle. But seriously, there is no way that, even playing at home, the 49ers should be 28 points better against Seattle than they were two weeks ago. That was when Seattle defeated the 49ers 43-16 at CenturyLink. This game isn’t about Richard Sherman against his old team like it was in week 13. The game is about Seattle’s young players wanting to earn a berth to the postseason for the first time in their careers. Seattle will get it done.

Prediction: Seahawks 28 49ers 17