Good morning 12s, and Happy New Year! Here's a look at what's out there today — Friday, January 1 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
Picks And Predictions For Week 17 Matchup With San Francisco 49ers
The Seahawks (11-4) are set to face off against the divisional rival San Francisco 49ers (6-9) for the second time this season in a final tuneup before the playoffs. The game is being played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. due to restrictions on sporting events in the state of California.
With a win on Sunday and losses by both the Packers and Saints, the Seahawks can clinch the NFC's No. 1 overall seed. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT this Sunday with the game airing live on FOX and being carried by KIRO Radio 97.3 FM.
Here's what some national and local media members are predicting for this Sunday:
ESPN’s Brady Henderson and Nick Wagoner each expect the Seahawks to get the win on the road. Henderson has the Hawks winning 26-17, and predicts D.J. Reed to come up big against his former team: "Seahawks cornerback D.J. Reed Jr. will make another big play against his former team. He picked off Jimmy Garoppolo in his Seahawks debut in Week 9, a game he had circled on his calendar since the 49ers waived him in August. He has played his way into a starting job at right cornerback since and has been a part of Seattle's defensive turnaround. As the team's primary punt returner, it seems only a matter of time before he breaks off a long return."
Wagoner has Seattle winning 23-20, and expects the Niners to make it tough against their division rival: "The 49ers enjoyed playing the spoiler role last week for Arizona and would love nothing more than to make their biggest rival's postseason path more difficult. Considering that three of San Francisco's six wins this season have come within the division, don't be surprised if the 49ers keep it closer than the last meeting between these teams."
NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal isn’t expecting as close a matchup, with the Hawks vying for a first-round bye and the 49ers missing some key starters. He has Seattle winning 33-14: "Pete Carroll confirmed that the Seahawks, with a small chance to clinch the first-round bye, are playing their starters. The 49ers, meanwhile, will be missing their starters for the 16th straight game, with left tackle Trent Williams and wideout Brandon Aiyuk recently added to the list of players ruled out for Sunday. Russell Wilson might get rest after all because the Seahawks are ahead by so much."
Benjamin Hoffman of the New York Times has the Seahawks covering the -5.5 spread as they seek to earn a higher playoff seed: "The Seahawks (11-4) captured their first N.F.C. West crown since 2016 with last week's win over the Rams, and they go into the season's final day with a chance at overtaking New Orleans for the No. 2 seed in the N.F.C. While the 49ers (6-9) would undoubtedly love to play a spoiler role of sorts — and they did just that by beating Arizona last week — you have to assume that if Seattle wants to win this game, it will do so handily. Pick: Seahawks -5.5."
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco expects a close one as the Niners look to play spoiler, but he has the Seahawks prevailing 24-23: "The Seahawks are still in the running for the top seed, so they are playing to win. The 49ers looked good last week in beating Arizona, and you know they would love to beat their rival. It will be close, but Seattle will find a way to win it late. It won't be easy."
Another close game is being predicted by Bill Bender of Sporting News. He has the Seahawks winning by a score of 28-25: "The Seahawks won the first meeting 37-27, but they must be careful here. C.J. Beathard threw three TD passes last week, and Jeff Wilson and George Kittle can give Seattle's defense problems. Russell Wilson delivers a clutch drive, however, and that puts the pressure on the Packers and Saints in the afternoon window."
Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith and Mike Florio are each picking the Seahawks in this one. "The Seahawks still have a chance at home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, and they'll take care of their end," said Smith. He's got Seattle winning 24-14. Florio likes the Hawks by a score of 31-20: "The 49ers aren't close to what they were when these two teams met to cap the 2019 season. The Seahawks are as good as they were, if not better."
The Seattle Times crew are all going with the Seahawks. Bob Condotta, who is 12-3 on predictions so far this season, had this to say about the matchup in picking the Hawks 24-13: "The 49ers are beat up and ending a disappointing post-Super Bowl season. Seattle still has a big potential carrot to pursue — the NFC's top playoff seed, even though the chances of claiming it are not great. But as the 49ers showed last week in a surprising win over Arizona, they are still dangerous. However, Seattle should be able to force C.J. Beathard into more mistakes than Arizona could, and that should open the door to a Seahawks win."
Homegating Recipe of the Week Presented by Safeway – Jalapeño Popper Turkey Chili
As the weather gets colder, a hearty pot of chili is the perfect dish for your next football watching get-together. This recipe includes ground turkey, pico de gallo and jalapeños to create a unique twist on traditional chili. Click here for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
Jalapeno Popper Turkey Chili
Ground turkey, jalapenos, beans & pico de gallo are cooked together with cream cheese in this chili dish.
In addition to providing detailed instructions, Safeway has also added a "Shop the Recipe" feature to the recipe page, making it easy to add all the ingredients (or just the ones you need) to your cart for a Safeway DriveUp & Go or Delivery order. Click here for other great homegating recipes.
Social Post Of The Day
Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs and Tre Flowers celebrate the New Year as the clock strikes 12:00:
More From Around The Web
At Seahawks.com, reporter John Boyle with this week’s Seahawks Gameday Magazine feature story.
NFL.com's Kevin Patra on DK Metcalf’s chance to break Steve Largent’s franchise record for receiving yards in a season.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tells us what he’s watching for in Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
The 710 ESPN crew list the most important offensive players for the Seahawks.
The year 2020 was challenging in so many ways, but it still provided some incredible moments and memories that will stick with us forever. Take a look back at some of our favorite photos from the past year.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson asked a military member if he could help hold the flag during the playing of the national anthem.
Facing third-and-ten from their own 11-yard line, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw deep to receiver DK Metcalf, who leapt high in the air to make the reception and seal the victory for Seattle. Metcalf set an NFL record for rookie receiving yards in a playoff game with 160 yards.
As he makes his way to the field, Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner accepts greetings from 12s who made the trip to support the team.
Head referee Clete Blakeman tosses the coin at the captains watch.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, who joined the game late in the season, address his teammates in the locker room after the game.
One play after teammate David Moore leapt over would-be tackler, running back Chris Carson hurdled a Dolphins defender along the same sideline.
