49ers schedule: Predicting wins and losses over second half of 2018
By Peter Panacy
Week 13 @ Seattle Seahawks
For now, this game is still scheduled for Sunday Night Football. It could be flexed out, but a guess would be nationwide fans wanting to see Richard Sherman and his return to Seattle to take on the Seahawks.
At any rate, the Seahawks haven’t quite been as bad as many thought they’d be this season despite a tumultuous 2018 offseason. Quarterback Russell Wilson remains the heart and soul of the offense, while Seattle’s defense finds itself No. 5 in points allowed (156) and No. 7 in yards given up (2,666).
If Nick Mullens is still starting at this time, it’s going to be a tough environment. The crowd at CenturyLink Field will be raucous with Sherman’s return, and winning in Seattle remains tough for even the best of teams.
Why the 49ers Win
Despite the surprisingly strong Seattle defense this year, the Niners can take advantage of the fact the Seahawks are allowing an average of 4.8 yards per rush attempt this season — 27th in the league.
Running the ball early and often would help keep Wilson from making the plays 49ers fans have grown sick of over the years, and one can hope running back Matt Breida is fully healthy by this point in the year.
If San Francisco controls the ground game, it has a chance at an upset.
Why the 49ers Lose
Wilson. He’s 10-2 in his career against the Niners. And while he hasn’t been as big a rushing threat this season, his 108.6 passer rating and 18 pass touchdowns against five interceptions is still elite status.
He’ll likely wind up making one or two of those unbelievable plays when everything breaks down around him, taking advantage of a suspect San Francisco defense.
And that crowd noise and environment may wind up being a bit too much for Nick Mullens.
Prediction: Seahawks 28, 49ers 13