Niner Noise
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49ers vs. Seahawks: Breaking down San Francisco’s game plan

By Chris Wilson

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25: Inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles wide receiver Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 25, 2016 in Seattle,Washington. The Seahawks won the game 37-18. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25: Inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles wide receiver Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 25, 2016 in Seattle,Washington. The Seahawks won the game 37-18. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 01: Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a pass while covered by Rashard Robinson #33 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levis Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Point Spread and Predictions

Per the consensus line at SportsBookReview.com, the Seahawks are currently favored by 14 points over the 49ers, with an over/under of 42 points, for an implied score of 28-14 Seahawks.

The line opened at a 13-point advantage for the Seahawks, moved down a bit after the Packers game, and has crept up since the beginning of the week; currently, it is the largest line of this week’s NFL slate.

Vegas may have already decided on the outcome of this game, but color commentator Cris Collinsworth is having none of it, predicting the 49ers will defeat the Seahawks on Sunday:

I’m not quite as optimistic as Collinsworth, especially considering the fact that the 49ers haven’t scored 20 or more points in Seattle in over nine years:

For the 49ers to win this game, they will need to dominate the Seahawks’ offensive line, and create turnovers — and then convert those turnovers into touchdowns.

But if the 49ers blitz heavily, they won’t have Foster to protect against Wilson breaking containment or dumping the ball off to one of his receiving backs. I expect the Niners to blitz, but to choose their battles, and mostly rely on their defensive line for quarterback pressure.

Next: Analyzing Kyle Shanahan's Fourth Down Decisions

More likely than not, this will be a game for moral — and not actual — victory for the San Francisco 49ers.