Seahawks vs. 49ers: Staff predictions for week 10 are split

The Seahawks are 6.5-point underdogs in week 10 versus the 49ers. Will Seattle pull the upset? Our staff is half sure and half not so much.

The Seahawks have two losses and the 49ers have zero. Seattle’s playoffs hopes are slimmer. Will they pull off the upset on Monday Night Football? This is what our staff thinks.

Geoff Shull, contributor

Seattle has averaged the 7th most points along with the 4th most yards per game. San Francisco has averaged the 3rd most points and 7th most yards per game. Both teams have plenty of fire power to run away with the game. The real differentiator will be defensive play. The 49ers have perhaps the best defensive line in the NFL, while the Seahawks are in the bottom third for offensive line play. This game has all the feels of a rivalry game coming back to life.

The two teams combined have the third best record entering a Monday night football game in NFL history at .882%. The 49ers are finally getting healthy with the starting CB Ahkello Witherspoon likely back opposite of Richard Sherman, both starting tackles and former Pro Bowl FB Kyle Juszczyk all likely back for the Monday night matchup. All the stats show the 49ers should win. However, I have a gut feeling Seattle will not only win but finally put to rest the criticism on the defense and we will win by more than 1 TD.

Prediction: Seahawks 24 49ers 16

Blake Waldron, contributor

All the concerns about this Seattle team are well-justified and the power of this San Francisco team has been over-exaggerated especially with the loss of Kwon Alexander for the season and the potential of George Kittle not playing this game. The Seahawks are 4-0 on the road so far this season and should feel great going until this game. With that being said the late emergence of Clowney and Brown on the injury report is more then worrisome.

Will the 49ers run heavy attack play into Seattle’s base defense hands? Or will they just tire out and beat up on the 27th ranked unit? While some fans are expecting to see a classic primetime victory, I don’t see this one ending that way. Special teams is a largely ignored unit in football but it can also decide the outcomes of games as we’ve seen already once this year and I think it comes into play again this week. Seattle’s offense will be good enough and their defense will do enough to hold San Francisco’s offense to less then Seattle’s offense. The special teams will make the difference in this game and will lift the 49ers into a commanding 3 game lead in the NFC West.

Prediction: 49ers 32 Seahawks 27

Colby Patnode, contributor and co-host of the 12th Man Rising podcast

The Seahawks enter their week 10 matchup with San Francisco with a lot to gain. A win on Monday puts the ‘Hawks squarely in the NFC West race with a shot to snag a first round bye. A loss basically turns the seasons focus from Division hopefuls to hanging onto a wild card spot.

Unfortunately, just about every matchup favors the home team. Seattle may get a break here and there as the 49ers are banged up a bit. However, every Seahawks season seems to include one game in which they look overmatched on paper and still win. If Russell can pull a rabbit out his hat on Monday, I wouldn’t be shocked. Ultimately the extra rest helps SF and I think they pull this out.

Prediction: 49ers 27 Seahawks 23

Todd Vandenberg, co-expert

I hate to say this, but I really hate this matchup. The Seahawks are giving up 4.7 yards per carry, and rank almost dead last in rushing touchdowns allowed. The 49ers average 4.5 yards on the ground, and lead the league in touchdown runs. On the flip side, the Niners defense ranks fourth in fewest passing touchdowns allowed and in interceptions made. Nothing about this game says the Hawks win. Nothing except Russell Wilson. I see DangeRuss pulling off another miracle.

Prediction: Seahawks 17 49ers 15

Lee Vowell, co-expert

I echo Todd’s thoughts except who wins. There is very little in the Monday night matchup that favors Seattle. The 49ers were built to defeat the Seahawks and not the Rams. Both Seattle and San Francisco will be good for a while but the Rams will fade. At home, the 49ers get the game they have been waiting for. But Seattle gets the game later in the season, so stay tuned.

Prediction: 49ers 30 Seahawks 17