The third and final game on the NFL Thanksgiving platter takes place between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. The game is scheduled for an 8:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on NBC. Currently the odds for the game have San Francisco favored to pick up the win at home.
San Francisco has not played well the last four weeks, but still found a way to go 3-1 during that stretch. A loss at St. Louis was followed up by three close wins over New Orleans, the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. The 49ers are hosting Seattle and they're favored by a point here as the Seahawks haven't been consistent all season either. Both teams are 7-4 on the campaign but the Seahawks had a very nice win last week over the Arizona Cardinals, not allowing a touchdown and only three points.
Seattle and the 49ers will play again in a couple of weeks, so this game tonight is very important as both are trying to run the Cardinals down in the NFC West. Arizona is playing without starting quarterback Carson Palmer and might not be able to replicate their previous success all year. A win here by either team will bring them close to the Cardinals and be more beneficial as they teams meet up again in a couple of weeks.
For the Seahawks to win the game, they'll have to run the football. Seattle is the best team in the league on the ground, averaging nearly 170 yards per game this season. San Francisco's defense is starting to get healthier with some of their stars returning, but if they can't stop the run Seattle will have the edge. Russell Wilson does a great job of breaking the pocket and piecing together first downs with his feet, so look for the 49ers to try and neutralize that tonight.
San Francisco needs a great game from Colin Kaepernick. When he's not making mistakes and playing at a high level the 49ers are tough to beat. But finding a way to consistently move the football against Seattle won't be easy. Vernon Davis could play a big role in this game tonight. Kaepernick is going to be on the move quite a bit with that Seahawk pass rush and he can make plays with his feet, but having the security blanket of a nice tight end in the open field certainly will help.
Overall, San Francisco's offense has better weapons as well. Between Frank Gore running the ball hard and Kaepernick getting the football to Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin, the 49ers are set up to win tonight. But in the end, it's their defense that will have to guide them to the victory. Seattle is looking to string together consecutive wins and get a leg-up on the rival 49ers in the division, but playing at home gives the advantage to San Francisco.
Free Pick: San Francisco 24, Seattle 21
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