23 Nov 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive back Arik Armstead (91) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Image Joe Nicholson-Imagn The San Francisco 49ers travel to start Week 6 of the NFL season at the Seattle Seahawks, with both teams looking to bounce back from last week’s shocking loss.
With a win, the 49ers (2-3) will pull even with the Seahawks (3-2), who have dropped consecutive games after a 3-0 start.
ODDS & TRENDS
The 49ers are 3.5-point favorites at BetRivers, where they have made 77 percent of the money wagered on the spread line. the -190 moneyline to win the game outright has been even more popular, drawing 76 percent of the total bet to go with 85 percent of the money.
49.5-point Swara / In has seen heavy action in Swara with 76 percent of the money. Six of Seattle’s past eight home games have gone over the point total line, while the Seahawks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their past eight games.
SELECT PROP
Jordan Mason Anytime TD (-220 on BetRivers): This has been the most popular prop player in terms of total bets at 2.8 percent, and second with 1.5 percent of all prop players wagered money in the game. Mason has three rushing touchdowns but more importantly, the Seahawks’ run defense has carved up in consecutive losses to the Lions and Giants. Seattle is currently allowing an average of 128 rushing yards per game.
MAIN STAT
San Francisco has won each of the past five meetings, including one in the playoffs. The 49ers have also won the first round in seven straight games against their NFC West rivals.
INFORMATION
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith leads the NFL in completions (143), pass attempts (199) and passing yards (1,466). He has also thrown for at least 284 yards in four consecutive games.
Seattle almost rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final 2:09 against the Giants, but potential Jason Myers tying 47-yard field-goal attempt with about one minute left was blocked and returned for a touchdown.
“It seems like when the game is on the line, we find a way to get it done,” Smith said. “But that has to be our mentality the whole game. We can’t wait until the end of the game to try and save.”
The Seahawks will look to establish the running game after Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet combined for just seven carries against the Giants. Seattle has thrown a league-high 67.4 percent of its plays.
“We all know we need to run the ball more,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “Everybody knows it, our opponents know it. Our players in the locker room know it, (offensive coordinator Ryan) Grubb knows it, our coaches know it. We’ve got to create more situations where we can do it as well.”
The 49ers, who won 11 of 12 games over the past two seasons against NFC West opponents while capturing back-to-back division titles, have put up 10-point, fourth-quarter shutouts against the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals this year.
The latter came at home Sunday, when the Cardinals rallied for a 24-23 victory.
“We don’t have time to sit here and have a pity party,” All-Pro lefty Trent Williams said. “We have another very good football team, another division opponent. It’s a short week, so we have to go.”
Without running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles tendinitis), the 49ers have struggled offensively, especially when approaching the opposing goal line. They rank 29th in the NFL with touchdowns on 40.9 percent of red-zone drives, after leading the league last season at about 68 percent. McCaffrey, the NFL Offensive Player of the year, had 18 red zone TDs last season.
“It’s early in the season and we’re still trying to find our true identity as a team and we’ll get there,” 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy said. “It’s a couple of plays away and a couple of drives away from gelling and gluing together. But I’m confident that we’ll find it. We’ve just got to get into the rhythm and play complementary team football.”
REPORT INJURIES
The 49ers have several kickers in for tryouts this week after Jake Moody sustained a high right ankle sprain on Friday, and they signed Matthew Wright before ruling Moody out for Thursday’s game. Safety Talanoa Hufanga, who has torn ligaments in his wrist, was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday. Also, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee) and linebacker Demtrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf).
San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward (knee) and wide receiver Chris Conley (oblique) are listed as questionable.
The Seahawks on Wednesday waived defensive end Byron Murphy II (hamstring) and cornerback Tariq Woolen (ankle), as well as linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (thigh), who will eventually be placed on injured reserve, according to Macdonald. Linebackers Boye Mafa (knee) and Derick Hall (foot) and safety Julian Love (hamstring) are questionable.
The people said
“We’ve got a quick turnaround. A tough opponent on Friday night. A divisional opponent. It means everything to us. This is a big game. It’s about as big as the game we’ve had this season. We’re better prepared.” –Smith
PREDICTION
The Seahawks built on a 3-0 start with a rookie (Bo Nix), a benched starter (Jacoby Brissett) and an injury replacement (Skylar Thompson). In the consecutive losses since, the inability to run the ball consistently on offense or stop the run on defense has stood out. Seattle is also offensive on the defensive front, giving the 49ers the ability to control the line of scrimmage, field position and time of possession. –49ers 27, Seahawks 20
–Field Level Media
