49ers vs. Seahawks NFL Week 7 Preview

By Michael Collins
Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE

The NFL Network has themselves a gem of a game this week, when the San Francisco 49ers (4-2) take on the Seattle Seahawks (4-2) in a huge week 7 NFC West game at Candlestick Park.

There’s a lot at stake for both teams but even more so for the Seahawks, who are 0-2 in the division so far this year. Seattle can’t afford to get behind the 8-ball in divisional play less than halfway through the season.

San Francisco is still licking their wounds after the 26-3 pummeling they got from the New York Giants last week. While some think that the Giants just have the 49ers number right now, it seems possible that New York also exposed some glaring weaknesses in San Francisco’s game.

The Giants showed (once again) if you can get a double digit lead on the 49ers, they have a hard time making a comeback. The biggest reason for this is that quarterback Alex Smith just isn’t built for directing the 2-minute offense. When the game is placed on his shoulders, that’s when mistakes seem to happen. San Francisco has to be able to rely on their running game and defense, and let Smith just hold the reigns.

I wouldn’t expect a lot of points out of this game, as both defenses rank in the league’s best, and neither team is going to give in.  I’d have to give the edge in overall defense to the Niners, but don’t overlook the Seahawks on pass coverage. If they can force San Francisco to throw the ball a lot, it plays right into their hands.

San Francisco’s number one rated rushing offense is going head to head with Seattle’s number two rated rush defense. Stalemate on that one possibly, but the 49ers will certainly put the Seahawks to the test.

The 49ers defense is going to do their best to rattle rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, and will probably go with some of their more exotic blitz packages to confuse the young QB. It could be a long night for the rookie in his first look at the Niners’ nasty defense.

49ers Injuries: LT Joe Staley is questionable (concussion), WR Mario Manningham is questionable (shoulder)

Series Record: Tied at 13 each, but San Francisco has won two straight meetings.

Prediction: 49ers are favored by 7 and will win, but take Seattle and the points. 21-17 San Francisco.

 

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