2013 NFL Picks: San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks Odds and Predictions – Free Sunday Night Football Picks 9/15/2013

2013 NFL Picks: San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks Odds and Predictions – Free Sunday Night Football Picks 9/15/2013: A pair of NFC West rivals and Super Bowl favorites will meet in an early season clash when the San Francisco 49ers (1-0) go on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks (1-0). The game is big enough to be the Sunday Night Football matchup for Week 2, and while the loser will have plenty of time to recover in the coming weeks, the winner will make a serious statement to the rest of the NFL. Armed with one of the best home-field advantages in the league, the Seahawks are 3-point favorites.

The two teams are remarkably similar, especially on the offensive side of the ball. San Francisco has a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in Colin Kaepernick, and an excellent power ground attack led by running back Frank Gore and a stout line. Seattle counters with dual-threat QB Russell Wilson and a ground attack led by an equally physical line and power back Marshawn Lynch. With San Francisco’s Michael Crabtree and Seattle’s Percy Harvin sidelined, both sides are missing their top option at receiver, as well.

These two teams also own the two best defenses in the NFL. The 49ers have a better front seven thanks to the likes of linebacker Patrick Willis and edge-rusher Aldon Smith, but the Seahawks have the stronger secondary with cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas leading the way. Either way, both units are stingy when it comes to allowing points and are very willing to dish out hard hits.

The 49ers Win If:

If the 49ers are going to go into hostile territory and emerge with a victory, receiver Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis have to be able to make plays against the tough Seattle secondary. San Francisco won’t be able to simply line up and run their way to a win against the Seahawks, but if the offense can establish the threat of a passing game, the read-option will become more effective and Kaepernick will have more opportunities to make big plays. Defensively, the 49ers need to bottle up Lynch and the Seattle rushing attack and force Wilson to become simply a pocket-passer. If the 49ers can maintain balance on the offensive end and make a thin Seahawks’ receiving corps have to win the game, San Francisco can win the game.

The Seahawks Win If:

On the offensive end, the Seahawks have to be able to run the ball effectively early in drives to stay out of obvious passing situations. Their receiving corps is too weak and the San Francisco pass rush is too stout for Seattle to be effective while facing frequent third-and-long situations. Defensively, the Seahawks have to limit the explosive plays that Kaepernick is able to generate with both his arms and legs. Winning one-on-one battles in the secondary will go a long way to helping the cause by allowing the entire front seven to focus on containing and attacking Kaepernick. If the game boils down to which team can grind out the most points, the Seahawks should be in good shape.

Bottom Line:

Plain and simple, this game is going to be a hard-hitting war between two teams that like to physically punish their opponents on both sides of the ball. San Francisco probably has a few more weapons on offense, but Seattle’s big, physical corners should be able to keep Kaepernick from connecting on many big plays. Meanwhile, Seattle’s incredible home-field advantage is a huge plus in a game that will likely be close throughout with minimal scoring. It won’t be easy, but the Seahawks will grind out another win in a stadium where they went 8-0 last year, including a 42-13 dismantling of the 49ers.

Prediction: Seattle Seahawks (-3) Cover the Spread                           

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
Line: Seattle -3
Total: Over/Under 44
Time: 8:30 PM EST on NBC

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