[wysifield-embeddedaudio|eid="470551"|type="embeddedaudio"|view_mode="full"]
The Seahawks (9-5-1) play their final game of the regular season this Sunday, when they head to the Bay Area for a game against the division rival San Francisco 49ers (2-13) at Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT with television coverage on FOX (channel 13 in Seattle).
Here's a look at which side the national media is predicting to win the New Year's Day matchup:
Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com predicts a 23-10 Seahawks victory, "The Seahawks are 2-3 in their last five games and are not playing well. But during the Pete Carroll-Russell Wilson era, they've never lost consecutive games in the second half of the season. Seattle needs a victory to keep its chances for a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed alive."
Nick Wagoner at ESPN.com predicts a similar score, going with a 24-10 Seattle win, "The 49ers haven't beaten the Seahawks in their past six meetings, and Seattle has won eight of the past nine. While this game is at Levi's Stadium and Wilson has been much worse on the road than at home, it's awfully difficult to see how San Francisco wins. The 49ers are without many key players, and the loss of running back Carlos Hyde is only going to make things more difficult. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have a chance to bolster their spot in the postseason."
Elliot Harrison at NFL.com picks the Seahawks to win 30-10, "Seattle still has an opportunity to get the second seed in the NFC. Will Pete Carroll's guys blow that opportunity against a two-win 49er team? Yes -- if former Niners Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Anquan Boldin, Mike Iupati and Patrick Willis get special permission to run around at the Big Blue Jean this weekend. This pick probably makes it seem like I don't trust the 49ers' low-octane attack against a motivated Seahawks defense. I am comfortable with that. San Francisco hasn't beaten these guys in a long time. Seattle just needs to pray the Falcons lose Sunday."
Chris Burke at SI.com thinks the Seahawks pull out a 26-20 win, "Seattle, despite its loss last week, still has a shot at a first-round bye—it needs a win plus an Atlanta loss. That should cover the motivation angle, but the 49ers have a handful of pass rushers that could give Seattle's maligned O-line trouble. Whether anyone has noticed or not, Kaepernick has played well down the stretch, and the Seahawks' D has not been the same without Earl Thomas. This is a bigger test than it probably should be for Seattle. If Pete Carroll's team wins, it will be via the run game—San Francisco has been horrid there defensively, allowing 4.9 yards per attempt."
Get to know the faces of the San Francisco 49ers offensive and defensive units heading into the team's Week 3 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick smiles after the 49ers' 22-21 win over the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (17) celebrates a first down catch during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, in Santa Clara, Ca. The 49ers won the game, 28-0. (Greg Trott via AP)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (13) grabs a pass and warms up for play against the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sept. 18, 2016 in Charlotte, N. C. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Rod Streater (81) warms up for play against the Atlanta Falcons in a week 15 NFL football game Dec. 18, 2016 in Atlanta. The Falcons won 41 - 13. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chris Harper (14) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
San Francisco 49ers running back Shaun Draughn (24) before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Patriots defeated the 49ers, 30-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (88) makes a touchdown catch against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
San Francisco 49ers' Joe Staley (74) on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The Panthers won 46-27. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Francisco 49ers guard Joshua Garnett (65) watches play against the Atlanta Falcons in a week 15 NFL football game Dec. 18, 2016 in Atlanta. The Falcons won 41 - 13. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle John Theus (71) during the NFL preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, Aug. 26, 2015 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Packers won, 21-10. (Ric Tapia via AP)
San Francisco 49ers guard Zane Beadles (68) blocks against the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sept. 18, 2016 in Charlotte, N. C. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Andrew Tiller (61) rests during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, in Santa Clara, Ca. The 49ers won the game, 28-0. (Greg Trott via AP)
San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Trent Brown (77) sets to block against the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sept. 18, 2016 in Charlotte, N. C. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Mike Purcell (64) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the St. Louis Rams at Levi's Stadium on January 3, 2016. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16 in overtime (Kevin Terrell via AP)
San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Quinton Dial (92) runs forward during a preseason NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, August 14, 2016 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Texans won the game 24-13. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks gets set on defense prior to a play in action against the Seattle Seahawks during a NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game, 29-13. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Gerald Hodges (51) in pursuit against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, September 18, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. (Terrell Lloyd via AP Images)
San Francisco 49ers' Eli Harold (58) gets free after a fumble against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The Panthers won 46-27. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Francisco 49ers defensive back Tramaine Brock (26) waits for the snap during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, in Santa Clara, Ca. The 49ers won the game, 28-0. (Greg Trott via AP)
San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) signals to his teammates during the NFL regular season game against the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 4, 2015 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Ric Tapia via AP)
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ronald Blair (98) runs during a week 13 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Chicago. The Bears won 26-6. (Scott Boehm via AP)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) sets for play against the Atlanta Falcons in a week 15 NFL football game Dec. 18, 2016 in Atlanta. The Falcons won 41 - 13. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Keith Reaser (27) catches a pass before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Chris Jones (93) looks on from the sidelines during a week 13 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Chicago. The Bears won 26-6. (Scott Boehm via AP)
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) looks on from the sidelines during a week 13 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Chicago. The Bears won 26-6. (Scott Boehm via AP)
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
San Francisco 49ers defensive back Jaquiski Tartt (29) defends during an NFL preseason game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, August 14, 2016, in Santa Clara, Ca. The Texans won the game, 24-13. (Greg Trott via AP)
San Francisco 49ers punter Bradley Pinion (5) against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, September 18, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. (Terrell Lloyd via AP Images)
San Francisco 49ers long snapper Kyle Nelson stands during warmups before a preseason NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson warms up before the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com likes the Seahawks to win 30-17, "If the Falcons lose, the Seahawks could end up with the second seed. They need to win this one. The 49ers won last week, but the Seahawks are a big step up in class. That matters. Seattle takes it."
Peter Schrager at FOXSports.com believes the Seahawks will take care of the 49ers, 16-10, "For as many notable veterans who dot the Seahawks roster, it's the rookies and unknown players they need to step up come January. The Seahawks — unlike any team in the league — have relied on first-year players to step up. Seventeen — yes, 17 — rookies have gotten on the field for Seattle this year. The Seahawks need to win to keep any shot of a first-round bye alive. They should take care of the 49ers."
Michael David Smith at ProFootballTalk.com sees Seattle coming away with a 31-13 victory, "The Seahawks have been struggling of late, but even a struggling Seattle team shouldn't have too hard a time with the 49ers."
Mike Florio at ProFootballTalk.com also has the Seahawks getting the win, 34-17, "One last afternoon of Santa Clara traffic problems. That somehow won't keep Seahawks fans from getting to the stadium."
David Steele at Sporting News sees the Seahawks winning 37-21.
All eight experts at CBSSports.com have the Seahawks coming out on top and so do all five experts at FOXSports.com.
Eight of nine analysts at ESPN.com see a Seattle victory.
And all five writers at USA Today like the Seahawks' chances this weekend.
