Pinnacle -6 -103 Bet365 -6 -110 SportsInteraction -6 -110 5DIMES -6 110 888Sport -6 -110

Posted at 3:30 PM EST. 

SAN FRANCISCO -6 -103 over Seattle

6:20 PM EST. Something will have to give tonight, as the 8-0 49ers will host a Seahawks side that is 7-2 and a perfect 4-0 on the road in 2019. On the surface, it might look like San Francisco had a fight on its hands in a 28-25 win over the Cardinals in Week 9 on Thursday Night Football, but the 49ers got out to a big lead early before allowing the Red Birds to sneak in the back door after giving up an 88-yard touchdown strike with just under five minutes to go. The Cardinals would not touch the ball again after the 49ers were able to work their offense and run out the clock. San Francisco tight end George Kittle was banged up against the Cardinals and he's doubtful for tonight's contest, but we are not concerned with such injuries. Yes, Kittle is a big target and one of Jimmy Garoppolo's favorites, but this is a "next man up" league and whether Kittle is dressed as a decoy or he sits, the 49ers pass catchers will be ready to step up.

For the 49ers, it's it their defense that has carried the day this season. San Fran is holding its opposition to just 12.8 points per game and its ranked as the best pass defense in the league, according to Football Outsiders. That kind of success will bring out the haters, as the 49ers have been criticized for facing a weak crop of passers, but Jameis Winston, Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff and Kyler Murray have all had brilliant moments at one time or another this season, but not against the 49ers. The same could be said about Kyle Allen as well. If you want to shit on Andy Dalton, Mason Rudolph and Case Keenum, we'll allow it, but the 49ers can only play who they are scheduled against and it's not like there is a deep roster of high class pivots across the NFL. We've read today that the 49ers are going to have a hard time tonight with the league's top-rated passer in Russell Wilson, but we suspect the 49ers D will be up for and very much accepting of the challenge. You see, without Wilson, the Seahawks would be lounging in the basement of the NFC West. No one player has meant more to this team this season.

Wilson put his team on his back in last Sunday's overtime win at home to the Buccaneers. For those that want to criticize Jameis Winston, he made the Seattle defense look very pedestrian with 335 yards and two touchdowns on the afternoon. Perhaps the biggest stat that day was the zero posted by Winston in the interception department. That Seattle's weak pass defense couldn't force a player like Winston, who can't usually help himself into turning the ball over truly says something about that porous unit. It is because of that weak D, which at one time was this team's strength, that Wilson has to take the reigns and win the game on his own. When Wilson isn't at his absolute best, the Seachickens struggle, as they did in home in losses to the Drew Brees-less Saints and the Ravens. In fact, for all the criticism the 49ers have taken for facing weak QB competition, Seattle has faced many of those same teams and it might be worse when you throw Teddy Bridgewater into the mix. Old "Wobbly Balls" was made to look like a star in Week 3. Seattle's "best" win was a 30-29 decision over the Rams that was decided by a missed L.A. field goal as time expired. That is the same Rams squad the Niners disposed of 20-7. Otherwise, Seattle has exactly one win over a team with a winning record and that's 5-4 Pittsburgh. That Week 2 victory was Mason Rudoph's first start for the Steelers.

The Seahawks may have some appeal here as a team with a strong market presence that is taking back points in prime time, but we believe it is the undefeated 49ers that are being disrespected here at home. There have been many that have questioned if San Francisco is "for real" with NFC sides like New Orleans and Green Bay getting more Super Bowl run than the Niners, but this should be a great showcase for San Fran to prove the football world that it needs to be taken very seriously.

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