Week 15 of the 2022 NFL season starts off with a bang. The NFC West division leading San Francisco 49ers (9-4) take a two-hour flight up to Seattle to play the Seahawks (7-6) in a pivotal divisional matchup. The two teams played back in week two of the season and the 49ers were able to take care of business at home winning 27-7. San Francisco comes into the game with a chance to clinch the NFC West and secure themselves a home playoff game.
NFL Week 15 Game info:
Date: Thursday, December 15th, 2022
Time: 8:20 p.m., EST.
Venue: Lumen Field- Seattle, Washington
TV/Live Stream: Amazon Prime Video
Odds:
Moneyline: San Francisco 49ers (-180), Seattle Seahawks (+152)
Spread: San Francisco 49ers (-3.5, -104), Seattle Seahawks (+3.5, -118)
Total: 43.5 (-110)
(Find moneyline, spread, over/under, and all other pops bets at Fanduel Sportsbook)
49ers @ Seahawks preview:
The last time these two teams took the field back in week two, the 49ers were able to overcome a season ending injury to then starting quarterback Trey Lance and win 27-7. A ferocious 49ers defense limited quarterback Geno Smith and the Seahawks offense, out-gaining them 373-216 in total yards. The seven points are the lowest scoring output for the Seahawks this season. Geno Smith also failed to throw a touchdown pass. He has only been held without a touchdown in two games this season (Week two vs SF, week six vs AZ).
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo guided a familiar 49ers offense throwing 13/21 for 154 yards and a touchdown pass. After the game, when Jimmy was asked how it felt to be back out there after losing his starting job and being away from the team in the offseason, he responded, “Just like riding a bike, it felt good to be back out there.”
Seattle will now face a different 49ers quarterback after Jimmy G has been shelved with a foot injury. Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy takes the job under center in what could be the biggest game of the season.
Party Like A Brockstar:
After 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo left the game with an injury against the Miami Dolphins, it felt like the 49ers season had gone up in flames. Little did fans know, Mr. irrelevant Brock Purdy out of Iowa State would be next man up and fit right in. In relief for Garoppolo in the week 13 win, Purdy was an impressive 25/37 for 210 yards, and two passing touchdowns.
To follow up his first act, the 22-year-old Purdy completed 16 of 21 passes for 185 yards, and another two touchdown passes. He also rushed for a touchdown in a 35-7 drubbing of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that saw the 49ers up 28-0 at halftime in front of an excited Levi’s Stadium crowd in Santa Clara. Brock Purdy now faces a struggling Seattle defense that has given up the third most points per game this season.
Purdy has been reported day-to-day with an oblique/rib injury, but there is optimism he will give it a go. Before Tuesday’s light practice, Purdy told reporters: “I feel good. Just taking it one day at a time, getting as much treatment as I can, but overall, I feel pretty good.”
Brock Purdy KNBR highlights?
Brock Purdy KNBR highlights. pic.twitter.com/G0vRJQ7knS
— Sam Hustis (@SamHustis) December 12, 2022
Down with Deebo:
Star 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel did suffer an injury with five minutes left in the second quarter that forced him to be carted off against the Buccaneers. After initial concern on the severity of the injury, the Niners got good news that it looks like Deebo avoided major injury.
Even without Deebo, the 49ers still have plenty of offensive options Thursday night with Christian McCaffery, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle. Wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud should see more targets as well. It has been reported that Deebo’s injury is a 3-4 week timeline. With the Niners likely securing a playoff spot, it wouldn’t be surprising if the next time we saw him on the field was wildcard weekend.
NFL’s Best:
San Francisco strolls into Lumen Field with the number one defense in the NFL. Linebackers Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw headline the NFL’s most vicious defensive unit. The Niners defense ranks first in lowest yards per game, rushing yards per game, and points allowed per game at 15.2. After the Chiefs hung 44 on them back in week seven, they have only allowed 10.6 points per game during their six-game win streak. The 21 takeaways from the SF defense are tied for fourth in the NFL. Seattle is tied for fifth in most giveaways at 19.
Overachieving Hawks:
Despite the disappointing home loss to the Carolina Panthers in week 14, the Seahawks enter this NFC West clash at 7-6. After Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in the offseason, the Seahawks looked primed to be heading towards the cellar of the league. With head coach Pete Carroll naming Geno Smith the week one starter, no one really knew what to expect. Geno would go on to complete 23/28 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns in an inspiring 17-16 win over Wilson and the Broncos. It was surprising, which has been the theme of the Seahawks season.
Picked to finish dead last in the NFC West by some publications, the frisky Seahawks have put themselves in the thick of the NFC wildcard race. After starting the season 2-3, they reeled off four straight wins to improve to 6-3 and turn heads in the NFL world. In the last four weeks they’ve come back down to earth, but still sit at 7-6 just outside an NFC wildcard spot.
The 32-year-old Geno Smith’s play this season is the story when talking about this Seattle campaign. Enjoying a breakout season, Geno is the driver of a Seahawks offense that ranks sixth in the NFL in points per game. Wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett have developed great chemistry with Smith, and both are on their way to 1,000 yard receiving seasons.
Stud rookie running back Kenneth Walker III missed the Carolina game with a foot injury, but the Seahawks are hopeful he can return against the 49ers this Thursday night. Walker was a full go at the Seahawks Tuesday practice.
Good Seahawks injury news: Kenneth Walker, Shelby Harris back full go in practice. They are key to Thursday night vs 49ers.
Big DT Al Woods remained out. @thenewstribune pic.twitter.com/CgCbLadTvQ
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 14, 2022
49ers @ Seahawks Predictions NFL Week 15:
Game pick:
On paper, the San Francisco 49ers should beat the Seattle Seahawks in this game. It’s a classic tale of one team trending upwards while the other is flailing down.
Riding a six-game win streak, the 49ers and new quarterback Brock Purdy have things rolling in the always dynamic Kyle Shanahan offensive system. If the passing game breaks down, Christian McCaffrey is a decent option out of the backfield to get things going. Always a threat to catch the ball as well, McCaffrey’s rushing workload has started to pick up over the last two weeks with 17 and 14 carries.
Seattle ranks 15th in passing yards allowed per game. They do even worse against the rush, allowing 160.5 rushing yards per game which places them second to last. McCaffery could feast in this favorable matchup, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him find the end zones a few more times against a Seattle defense that struggles in the red zone.
On the other end, Seattle is going to have to do some soul searching before game time. As mentioned earlier, Seattle comes into this matchup 1-3 in their last four games. A disappointing home loss to the Carolina Panthers in week 14 will have everyone thinking they can’t match what the 49ers will bring. I saw Sunday’s underwhelming loss as a look ahead spot to the 49ers game. Seattle fell behind early on some uncharacteristic Geno Smith interceptions and were chasing the entire game. Seattle will have to do a better job limiting turnovers as they are tied for fifth in most giveaways. Pete Carroll will have his team ready to play under the lights in front of a raucous 12th man at Lumen Field.
The Seahawks may not win this game, but they should be able to keep it close in this critical NFC West showdown.
The Pick: Seahawks +3.5 (-118)
Over/Under prediction:
A common theme in the Seahawks recent three losses are getting dominated in time of possession.
Let’s look at how those opponents have kept them off the field:
Week 10: Buccaneers (36:55), Seahawks (23:05)
Week 12: Raiders (37:35), Seahawks (28:05)
Week 14: Panthers (39:16), Seahawks (20:44)
It won’t be an easy task keeping a 49ers offense that ranks third in time of possession off the field. Seattle ranks dead last in the NFL in time of possession at 27:45. The Seahawks are going to have to dig deep on both sides of the ball to keep the chains moving, and the 49ers punting. With the 49ers number one ranked defense, scoring opportunities could be limited for Geno & co. The way to keep this game close is running the ball with hopeful return Kenneth Walker III. Running and short passes will be the key for the Seahawks in this one.
Favor the under on a brisk Thursday night in a game where Seattle looks to get back on track.
The Pick: Under 43.5 (-110)
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