All the momentum appears to be with the San Francisco 49ers as they prepare to welcome the Seattle Seahawks to Levi’s Stadium in the NFL Wild Card playofffs on Saturday night.
The opening match of this year’s postseason pits the NFL’s form side, the 49ers, against a Seahawks team that managed to squeeze into the playoffs thanks to their 19-16 overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday, coupled with the Green Bay Packers’ home defeat to the Detroit Lions.
It certainly looks like the Seahawks will face a tough test against NFC West champions the 49ers, who stormed into the playoffs by winning their final 10 matches of the regular season to post a 13-4 record that was only bettered in the NFC Conference by the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles.
Seahawks @ 49ers NFL Betting Tips
- San Francisco 49ers – Over 27.5 points @ 6/5
- Brock Purdy To Throw A Touchdown Pass In Each Half @ 6/4
Team news
San Francisco’s success over recent weeks has been made all the more impressive as it has been achieved in the injury absence of starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and his backup Trey Lance, meaning third-string Brock Purdy has had to fill the void.
Purdy is set to continue at QB against the Seahawks, while wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who returned from a quadricep injury during last week’s 38-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, is also set to keep his place
Outside linebacker Dre Greenlaw (back) and offensive guard Aaron Banks (ankle) are rated as doubtful.
Seattle have concerns surrounding the fitness of four players, including defensive end Shelby Harris, who is questionable with a sore knee.
Cornerback Xavier Crawford (hamstring), running back DeeJay Dallas (ankle/quadricep) and offensive guard Phil Haynes (ankle) could also miss out.
San Francisco 49ers – Over 27.5 points @ 6/5
The 49ers ended the regular season in style, running in 30+ points in their final three matches, with the 38 they notched against the Cardinals matching their highest tally for the season.
Kyle Shanahan’s team have been particularly effective with home-field advantage at Levi’s Stadium, winning eight of their last nine games at the venue, while they have scored 30 or more points in five of their previous six home contests.
Winning home and away to the Seahawks during the regular season – by an aggregate score of 48-20 – will also breed confidence into the 49ers, who should be able to score plenty of points on Saturday despite relying on their third-choice QB.
Brock Purdy To Throw A Touchdown Pass In Each Half @ 6/4
That third-choice QB is of course Purdy, who has not been overawed in the slightest by his step into the limelight, throwing three touchdown passes in his last six matches for the 49ers.
San Francisco are also yet to lose when Purdy has started at QB and he has played a major role in their ongoing 10-match winning run, their longest such streak since 1997.
Purdy admitted after his starring role in last weekend’s victory over the Cardinals that he still does not feel he has played to his full potential. If he can do just that against the Seahawks then he will surely be able to throw a touchdown pass in each half.
