Preview and pick for TNF

The 9-4 San Francisco 49ers go to Seattle to oppose the 7-6 Seattle Seahawks Thursday night. This will be a battle of the top two teams in the NFC West, as the 49ers hold a two-game lead over the ‘Hawks. San Francisco is a 3.5 point favorite (total at 44), according to NFL odds. Teams are priced at +750 (Niners) and +6500 (‘Hawks), to win the title, as per Super Bowl odds.

49ers are Purdy Good

When San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went down early in their win against the Miami Dolphins two weeks ago, it was indeed serious trouble by the Bay. Among the NFC choices, it seemed as if those hopes faded away. However, understudy rookie ^Brock Purdy has more than excellently done the job. Purdy finished that resounding win over the Dolphins, then dismantled (getting some help) the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Purdy, last player chosen in the last draft, is at the helm of a team bringing a six-game winning streak to the Pacific Northwest.

Now, the 49ers have another blow. Star wide receiver Deebo Samuels is out multiple weeks, if not the entire regular season, due to an MCL and ankle sprain suffered in the Tampa rout. The 49ers expect him to return sometime this season, there at playoff time. Purdy himself has injured ribs. This will mean more of running back Christian McCaffrey, who’s been as advertised since being traded by the Carolina Panthers earlier in the season. 

The 49ers’ best defense in the NFL has meant Purdy doesn’t have to be spectacular. He was just about that against the Bucs, 16-of-21 (185 yards two touchdowns), while McCaffrey had 119 rushing yards (one touchdown). If Purdy and McCaffrey are half as good as they were last Sunday, and the defense plays its usual, San Francisco can put a vice grip on the NFC West.

Seahawks Second Fiddle 

Seattle will attempt to climb back into relevance as far as winning the NFC West is concerned. The Seahawks are currently two games back of the San Francisco 49ers, with a shot to halve that margin. The Seahawks have been one of the surprise teams of the NFL, a bottom-five team in the eyes of those who prognosticate such things. Thursday is another shot to disprove that.

However, the ‘Hawks face a major challenge if they are without running back Kenneth Walker III, (injured ankle). Seattle will probably also be without second-string running back DeeJay Dallas, thus down to Travis Homer. Horner had just 26 yards in Seattle’s 30-24 loss to Carolina last out.

There’s no doubt Seattle needs to rely on its passing game. Luckily, they have one of the best offenses in the league. Quarterback Geno Smith (3,433 passing yards [sixth in NFL], 25 touchdowns, eight interceptions) and wide receiver DK Metcalf (72 receptions, 869 yards, six touchdowns) are having impressive seasons in Seattle. However, the 49ers are second (tied) in the NFL with 14 interceptions, and after a two-pick performance in last week’s losing effort, Smith cannot afford a similar outing.

49ers are Sniffing Title

The 49ers are way too hot not to believe that they won’t win, extending their streak to seven. Despite injuries along the way, they’re on a roll. Regardless of who’s at quarterback. There aren’t many teams as lethal as the Niners. This game should be close, but the feeling is the 49ers. Lay the three and the hook. Expect the defense to stymie a weakened ‘Hawk’ run game.

In their first meeting this season, San Francisco cruised to a 27-7 Week Two win after building a 20-0 lead at the half. That was early in the season, and both teams are very different. This will likely be a lower-scoring game, with injuries affecting both teams. Go under the 44 point total here.