Is there a more unpredictable NFL Wild Card matchup this year than the head-to-head between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks? Probably not.
The Seahawks were not supposed to be anywhere near the NFL playoffs after trading Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos and naming Geno Smith as their starting quarterback. They may have cooled off lately, but it is truly impressive that they are one of 14 teams still laying odds to win the 2023 NFL Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, the 49ers entered the season with two options at quarterback: Sophomore Trey Lance and tenured veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. Both of these signal-callers went down with season-ending injuries, leaving rookie third-stringer Brock Purdy to take over the reins. Somehow, someway, San Francisco is not only in the playoffs but heavily favored to make it out of the Wild Card round.
This seems like a good time to tell you we have picked the 49ers vs. Seahawks. Before we get to them, here are the latest NFL online betting odds for the Wild Card game between San Francisco and Seattle, courtesy of the folks over at BetUS:
Like always, please remember to double-check these online NFL betting odds until you actually submit your wager. Our odds for 49ers vs. Seahawks are accurate entering Wednesday, January 11. That gives linemakers plenty of time to adjust their odds based on the action prior to kick-off, which is scheduled for Saturday, January 14, at 4:30 p.m. EST.
Granted, you don't have to worry about missing out on the most accurate NFL playoff betting lines if you sign up with the right sportsbooks. That's why we compiled reviews of all the top online sportsbooks. These one-stop information treasure troves can help you spot the best NFL playoff betting sites in the business.
With all this in mind, we're ready to drop our moneyline, point spread, and over/under predictions for the San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks game. Are you?
Brock Purdy Should Lead the San Francisco 49ers to Victory Over the Seattle Seahawks
Some bettors might worry about Brock Purdy's lack of experience in big games heading into this matchup against the Seahawks. We can't bring ourselves to care.
For starters, the Niners wouldn't be much better off with their injured alternatives. Trey Lance is a sophomore, and while Jimmy G has actually played in the Super Bowl, his ball control has seldom inspired confidence among San Francisco fans. Purdy has at least flashed both arm strength and poise through his first few NFL games, suggesting that he might actually be the more dynamic weapon under center compared to Jimmy G.
Of course, there's the chance none of this matters. The Niners didn't get here by riding their passing attack. They have leaned on their playmakers out of the backfield, including superstar Christian McCaffrey, whom they acquired during the first half of this season.
Milking the run is what spearheaded San Francisco's current 10-game winning streak. And it just so happens the Seahawks have one of the NFL's worst rushing defenses. They rank 26th in net yards allowed per rushing attempt as well as 27th overall in rushing touchdowns allowed.
Maybe Geno Smith and Seattle's wide receiver core will be good for a handful of big plays. Conversely, they might not be. The Niners have the NFL's most well-balanced defense by a mile. It won't surprise us if the Seahawks struggle to hit double digits in this one—particularly given how much Smith has struggled to move the ball in recent weeks.
OSB Prediction: San Francisco 49ers (-550)
Beware the Niners Point Spread with a Rookie Under Center
Here is the latest NFL point spread betting odds for the San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks matchup this Saturday:
- San Francisco 49ers, -9.5 (-105)
- Seattle Seahawks, +9.5 (-115)
Anything close to a double-digit point spread always makes us nervous in a playoff setting. Yes, the Niners are clearly the better team. And yes, their current 10-game winning streak has included a fair share of dominant victories that come by two touchdowns or more.
But the playoffs fundamentally change a team's in-game approach. The Niners are likely to run an even more conservative offensive playbook if they jump out to an early lead. And beyond that, the Seahawks will be forced to move the ball through the air if they fall behind from the jump, which actually buoys their ability to keep the final score within 10 points.
This point spread truly feels like a coin toss. Faced with a modicum of doubt, we're expecting the Niners to win by a touchdown but not much more.
OSB Prediction: Seattle Seahawks, +9.5 (-115)
The Over/Under Set for Niners vs. Seahawks Feels a Touch Too High
Below you can see the latest NFL over/under betting odds for the Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers:
- Over 42.5 (-115)
- Under 42.5 (-105)
Plenty of bettors might flock toward the "over." We have seen the Niners top 30 points in five of their past six contests, and the Seahawks have an offense that ranks in the top half of scoring for the year.
At the same time, Seattle's offensive production has fallen off a cliff over the past month. They are averaging 16.3 points per game through their last four contests, and they mustered just 13 points during a Week 15 loss to these same Niners. And though San Francisco has some explosive offensive potential, we're hesitant to put that much faith in a rookie third-string QB.
The "under' is the way to go.
OSB Prediction: Under 42.5 (-115)
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