The San Francisco 49ers hit the road to take on the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs on Sunday. The game is scheduled for a 1:05 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on FOX. Currently the odds for the game have this one listed as a PICK EM, with several books taking a lot of action on both sides.
This should be one of those playoff games that everyone remembers. If the regular season matchup has any indication of how things might go in this one, it should be a lot of fun to watch. Carolina snubbed the 49ers earlier this season with a 10-9 victory on the road.
That game was pretty much the best defensive game played by both teams in a game this season. We expect it to be more of the same in this one. Carolina was second best in the league this year allowing 301 yards per game and allowed the least amount of points per game at just 15.1 for the year. They gave up just 12.1 in home games this season.
San Francisco picked up a solid road win last week over Green Bay in the frigid temperatures. Now the squad gets to play in a more moderate setting weather wise, even though that might not be a big deal anymore. The 49ers gave up the third fewest points per game at just 17 this year and were seventh overall in total defense.
Playoff experience could be a big key in this one. San Francisco has it, having played in the Super Bowl last year. Aldon Smith is playing like his formal self and will have a big impact on this game, chasing Cam Newton around in the backfield. The 49er defense is rock solid and we expect them to play with a chip on their shoulders in this one.
Plus, San Francisco is getting healthy at the right time at key positions, including having Michael Crabtree back to catch passes from Colin Kaepernick. He was sacked six times in that regular season loss, so be sure that San Fran will want to better protect him.
The quarterbacks will both have to play better. Newton struggled in the first meeting and collected only 15 yards rushing. Kaepernick had just 108 total yards himself.
And when it comes down to it, we like the San Francisco weapons more. From Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Anquan Boldin we think the 49ers have a better group of guys at skilled positions. Oh, and they have Frank Gore, who is a bowling ball of a running back.
Carolina is expected to have Steve Smith back in this one. And we know they run the football well with DeAngelo Williams and company.
San Francisco will win because of their experience in the playoffs and a better overall offense suited for the post season. Carolina is an up and coming team with an elite defense, but we'll take the 49ers, who have been in this situation before. They'll make fewer mistakes when it's all said and done.
Free Pick: San Francisco 21, Carolina 17
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