There may not be more excitement for any game among fans than this one in the NFC Championship Game. Represented by arguably the two best teams in the NFL, these NFC West division rivals will meet for the third time this season Sunday night (6:30pm EST). After splitting the regular season matchups where both teams won at home, the 49ers will look to conquer their demons at Centurlink Field while the Seahawks and their 12th Man hope to slam the brakes on any thought that the 49ers may have on reaching the Super Bowl.
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This rivalry has easily become the best in the NFL and there is no love lost anywhere on the field when these two teams meet. There are storylines everywhere and it begins with Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll. Then you look at Harbaugh and Richard Sherman, followed by the debate between Kaepernick or Russell Wilson, and of course you can’t leave out Skittles/Beastmode vs Frank the Tank. These West Coast teams have redefined what West Coast football is about. This is old school, hard hitting, defense first, smash-mouth football and that will be on full display come Sunday night. The question is, can the 49ers head to Seattle and win for a third time on the road in these playoffs? Our experts have given us their picks against the spread, read below to see what they are.
SF
San Francisco 49ers (+3.5)
SEA
Seattle Seahawks (-3.5)
Pick % 44% 56%
“The 49ers have been embarrassed the last two times they have played in Seattle, losing by a combined score of 71-16. They will also be playing their fourth straight game on the road, trying to become the first team ever to win a Super Bowl during those circumstances. It won’t be easy, and they are rightfully underdogs, but Seattle’s passing offense has looked shaky over the final five games, and San Francisco enters healthier than they’ve been all year. This game should be close that will come down to the end. ”
– Dalton Del Don YAHOO! SPORTSDalton Del Don's most confident pick for this week
“San Francisco is firing on all cylinders and looks too good right now.”
– Steve Wyremski DYNASTY LEAGUE FOOTBALLSteve Wyremski's most confident pick for this week
“Both teams are equal in terms of defensive play making ability so its all about the “better” offense. Covering Kaepernick’s run option is going to allow for some shots down field and will ultimately end up in more points for San Francisco. ”
– Staff Rankings FANTASY KNUCKLEHEADS
“San Francisco is rolling right now. The late-season return of so many missing pieces to their overall game has obviously made a huge difference, as the team has rattled off eight straight wins with five of them coming on the road.
Seattle has averaged just 20 points of offense over their last five games, with the team going just 3-2 during that stretch. A healthy Harvin might have helped their cause, but as it stands today, the 49ers defense is good enough to at LEAST keep this game within a field goal.”
– Dawgmatica PYROMANIAC
“Seattle’s home field advantage has lost some of it’s mystique recently and the 49ers are playing their best football on both sides of the ball right now. With that said, the Seahawks are a great team and this should be a very close game. If they win, I don’t expect them to do so by more than a field goal, so I’m taking the points.”
– Greg Smith THE FAKE FOOTBALLGreg Smith's most confident pick for this week
“The Niners extended their winning streak to eight games with a road win over the Panthers last week, and while they’ve struggled mightily playing at Seattle the past two years, they’ve also proven they can beat their divisional rivals. Marshawn Lynch has had their number recently, but you can be sure that #BeastMode will be the 49ers’ primary focus on defense. With Russell Wilson struggling and Percy Harvin questionable to suit up with a concussion, I’m backing San Fran.”
– Ryan Rufe ROTOBALLER
“The Seahawks are my pick to win this game but by only three points. The 12th man effect will help put them over the top as Marshawn Lynch will also be a huge factor. In his last five games against the 49ers Lynch has totaled 584 yards from scrimmage and scored seven touchdowns. Their defense will stifle San Francisco while Lynch gouges them on the ground leading Seattle to the Super Bowl.”
– Walton Spurlin FANTASYSHARKS
“We know all about how well Seattle plays with the support of the 12th man, but they are just 5-4 ATS at home, and Colin Kaepernick is outplaying Russell Wilson of late. With both defenses playing up to their expected standard, that might be all that matters. Look for San Fran to keep it within a field goal if not win outright.”
– Jon Collins FANTASY SPORTS LR
“It’s really hard to go against Seattle at home, but I think the 49ers are playing their best football of the season right now. Colin Kaepernick is playing well and I think the 49ers get it done.”
– Michael Hendee FOOTBALL INFORMERS
“I’m on the fence about this one, but since it’s a tossup that the Niners can win, I’ll take the points.”
– John Halpin FOX SPORTS
“I’ll take the points with the 49ers. Look for another earthquake by the Seahawks fans, but watch the 49ers pull off a miracle and snap the Seahawks 6-game playoff winning streak.”
– Paul Greco FANTASYPROS911
“I’m just going with the half-point here, as this figures to be an even contest decided by a field goal or less. San Francisco may actually be playing better than Seattle at this point of the season, and there’s an argument to be made that the line should be less than three points.”
– R.J. White FANTASY FOOTBALL CAFE
“Yes, Seattle typically handles the Niners at home in recent history, but this game will be really close. San Fran can stifle the Seahawks rushing attack holding Lynch to 98 and 72 yards in both games, and a 3.5 yard per carry average. Russ Wilson has also struggled in the previous two games, as he has not thrown over 200 yards and had two picks. The 49ers will get Gore going, as he rushed for 117 yards last game. I think that Seattle will win this game but San Fran will be close.”
– Dan Yanotchko EDSFOOTBALL
“I fully think that the Seahawks move on to the Super Bowl, but San Francisco is the hottest team in the league at this point and anything more than a field goal for Seattle to cover is asking a lot. The 1/2 point in this situation is enough to sway me to take San Francisco to cover.”
– Staff Rankings 2MUGSFF
“As tough as it is for road teams to win in Seattle, the 49ers are arguably the most complete team in the league. And as winners of eight games in a row, they have hit their stride at the right time. I’m not sure that they will pull off the “upset,” but I think they manage to at least keep this game close so I will take the points here.”
– Kevin Hanson EDSFOOTBALLKevin Hanson's most confident pick for this week
“This is going to be a dogfight. Two rivals and the two best teams in the NFC (and arguably in all of football) made it to the NFC Championship Game. The Seahawks dominated the matchup earlier in the season at home while the Niners knocked them off in a defensive battle in San Francisco just a few weeks ago. Seattle has the home field advantage which is huge, but this game is going to be close either way. I wouldn’t be surprised if either team wins, but I think this is decided by three or fewer points.”
– Rich Arleo BRUNO BOYSRich Arleo's most confident pick for this week
“The 49ers will not only beat the spread; they’re going to win this game outright so if you’re the gambling type, the money line is the action to take here. Including last week’s playoffs game, Russell Wilson has thrown for less than 200 yards in 4 of his last 5 games. He has thrown only 4 TD passes in that span. The Seahawks can only survive if their rushing attack is working, and the 49ers have allowed 93 rush yards or fewer in 5 of their last 6 games. Th 49ers are more balanced, and just as good, if not better defensively. ”
– Russ Bliss FANTASY FOOTBALL STARTERSRuss Bliss's most confident pick for this week
– Michael Pichan ROTOINFOMichael Pichan's most confident pick for this week
– Tony Mauriello FANTASYTRADE411
– Kevin English DRAFT SHARKSKevin English's most confident pick for this week
– Terrance Bridgett FANTASYTRADE411
“Seattle’s 12th man has been a playoff difference maker and they will play a major roll on Sunday. Odds makers typically give 3 points for home field advantage, but the 12th man should be good for at least 12 points. Seattle is the easy choice here. ”
– Jeff Boggis FANTASY SPORTS EMPIREJeff Boggis's most confident pick for this week
“Seattle has been a House of Horrors for the 49ers in recent years. This year, they lost 29-3 in Seattle and the year before they lost 42-13. I do not expect the Seahawks to beat a playoff battle tested 49ers team by 20 points, but the Hawks are too tough at home to lose this game. I think they will win by more than 3.5, probably in the 7 to 10 point range. ”
– Derek Lofland FANTASY FOOTBALL MANIAXDerek Lofland 's most confident pick for this week
“Seattle hardly ever loses at home (sit back down, Arizona) and the last time the 49ers were trying to take it to the Seahawks on the road, the 12th man got to them in a brutal blowout loss. Colin Kaepernick looked a little shakier last week and while three straight NFC title game appearances is something to talk about, the 49ers may not make it to back to back Super Bowls.”
– Kevin Roberts BREAKING FOOTBALLKevin Roberts's most confident pick for this week
“Man, it’s hard to play in Seattle. I think that it’s an old school clock-control type of game for the Seahawks this week. 3.5 points doesn’t bother me.”
– Dave McKay THE FANTASY SPORTS BRAIN
“The Seahawks destroyed the 49ers last time and for whatever reason Marshawn Lynch always decides to show up big against the 49ers. Even with Wilson struggling, I’d be surprised if the Seahawks don’t win by a touchdown or more. ”
– Michael Sherman FANTASY TEAM ADVICEMichael Sherman's most confident pick for this week
“The 49ers are a great team overall, but if they plan to win, they have to find a way to shut down Marshawn Lynch AND Russell Wilson. Doing those two things while also finding a way to score on the road in the 12th man isn’t promising. If this game scored more than 40 points overall I’d be very surprised. ”
– Keet Bailey BREAKING FOOTBALLKeet Bailey's most confident pick for this week
“As impressive as the 49ers recent run has been over the last few years, now is the Seahawks time. The 12th man is simply too much to overcome. I don’t like laying the hook, but if you want (-3) in Vegas right now you’ll have to wager -125 and -130. Seattle by a touchdown or more!”
– Dan Clasgens GET SPORTS INFODan Clasgens's most confident pick for this week
“The 49ers may have squeezed out a 19-17 win against the Seahawks in Week 14 but the last time they traveled to Seattle, the Niners got destroyed 29-3. They were held to a mere 207 total yards that day while the Hawks forced five turnovers. The Seahawks likely have the highest degree of homefield advantage and the volume at CenturyLink promises to be even louder for the biggest rivalry in the NFL with a trip to the Superbowl on the line. ”
– Igor Derysh XN SPORTSIgor Derysh's most confident pick for this week
“I envision a much closer game than the last time the 49ers visited Seattle, but the Seahawks are still going to be too tough behind that 12th Man.”
– Alessandro Miglio PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS
“I’m not comfortable giving up more than 3 points in a game that’s apt to be a low-scoring defensive struggle, but nor am I comfortable picking against the Seahawks in Seattle. ”
– Pat Fitzmaurice THE FOOTBALL GIRL
“As we all know by now Seattle is just about unbeatable at home. They were able to shut down the high powered Saints and Drew Brees last week at home if you had any doubt of that. For a third time this season the 49ers and Seahawks will play and I expect the Seahawks to shutdown the Niners once again, they have only scored 22 total points against the Seahawks. This is likely a low scoring game so 3.5 is going to be close, but Seattle should make just enough plays to cover.”
– Joe Bond FANTASY SIX PACKJoe Bond's most confident pick for this week
“I like Seattle here for two reasons. First, the homefield advantage is very significant. Second, I haven’t really heard anyone picking them since they “struggled” with New Orleans last week, and San Francisco is on such a roll. Let’s keep in mind the toll this playoff run may have caused the Niners: flying halfway across the country to play a single-digit-degree game, followed by flying all the way across the country to play a very physical Carolina team. Will they have enough left in the tank to overcome arguably the most physical team in the NFL? Rarely nowadays do we see the best two teams in the Super Bowl, but the “Divisional Round upset streak” was broken last weekend, so perhaps the 2013-14 postseason will be remembered as the year the best teams fulfilled expectations.”
– Ryan Hester FOOTBALLANDBRACKETS
“I am not going against that D in that stadium.”
– Ken Zalis FANS FANTASY FOOTBALLKen Zalis's most confident pick for this week
“The line on this game is set perfectly considering the matchup. A divisional game where the winner goes to the Super Bowl. I will take the Seahawks and their 12th man at home considering Russell Wilson is overdue for a bounceback game. I’d like to get Seattle at -3, but I’ll still take them giving that extra half a point. ”
– Mike Tagliere TAGS FANTASY FOOTBALL
“This one will be tight according to our software as it has Seattle winning by 4 points. ”
– Site Projections FANTASY FOOTBALL STARTERS
“This is going to be a hard fought game, but in the end I think Seattle will learn from their Week 14 shortcomings and find their way to a win. While San Francisco won their last meeting and have been strong thus far in the playoffs, I think at the end of the day it will be a story of the stout Seattle defense. It’s worth noting that in their last two meetings in Seattle, the Seahawks have outscored the 49ers 71-16. It’s just too difficult to go into Seattle and get this win.”
– Kelly Smelser PUNCH DRUNK WONDERLANDKelly Smelser's most confident pick for this week
“It’s not only tough going into CenturyLink Stadium in January, let alone for an NFC Title Matchup, but it’s even harder competing against The 12th Man, the Legion of Boom and Marshawn Lynch. Marshawn Lynch is averaging 103.5 total yards and 2 TD’s a game vs San Francisco this year. Despite Wilson’s recent lack of production, their are too many odds against the 49ers to walk out alive in this one. ”
– Jordan Tozzi LEGION REPORTJordan Tozzi's most confident pick for this week
“The Seattle Seahawks will beat the San Francisco 49ers and the game will come down to 4 players and dessert.
Colin Kaepernick’s security blanket, Anquan Boldin will not get free releases against the Seahawks defense and he won’t be able to consistently beat man coverage as Boldin normally makes his hay finding the soft spot in the zone. With Sherman locking up Michael Crabtree it’s going to come down to Vernon Davis and Kaepernick’s legs. While that will move the ball and extend drives, that will not put up the touchdown’s needed to win.
Conversely, nearly the same argument could be made for the Seahawks offense; it’s going to come down to two, Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch. Advantage Seahawks on this one, because when Wilson rolls out on the edge, he looks to pass first, run second. This not only moves the ball and extends drives, but sets up the big play to Doug Baldwin or Golden Tate.
Jim Harbaugh wants his ‘cake and he wants it now,’ but all Pete Carroll is serving up is the ‘old fruit salad’ in the 12th man froggy voice.’
”
– Scott Whitfield ROTO RANKINGSScott Whitfield's most confident pick for this week
“The 12th man is the difference in this one. Seattle is just that much better at home. Seahawks 23-17″
– Sean Beazley EDSFOOTBALL
“Seattle defense and the fact that this game is in Seattle give them the edge to win this week. If anyone is going to stop Seattle this year it is going to be San Francisco. ”
– James Hatfield HATTY WAIVER WIRE GURU
“Seattle is as hot as it gets at home right now. They dismantled New Orleans twice this season, and gave San Francisco an early season spanking. Although San Francisco is catching fire, the Seattle home field and well balance team effort on offense and defense will be too much for them to handle. I expect Seattle to win by at least 10.”
– Nathan Miller REVELATION SPORTS
“I’d like the line at -3 a lot more because I think this is going to be a classic, but Seattle has looked too good to go against at home. ”
– Kevin Kumpf RAZZBALLKevin Kumpf's most confident pick for this week
