49ers vs. Seahawks: Week 17 betting odds and lines, injuries and playoff implications
By Peter Panacy
Niner Noise breaks down Week 17’s prime-time matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, taking a look at the odds, injuries and playoff implications.
In a sense, the San Francisco 49ers have already started their postseason run a number of weeks ago, going through an arduous multi-game stretch against playoff-caliber teams, many of which are competing with the Niners for NFC seeding.
This includes facing the 11-4 Seattle Seahawks twice, the first of two NFC West rounds going to San Francisco’s arch rivals back in Week 10.
At 12-3, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad has a chance to return the favor at CenturyLink Field on Sunday Night Football, and a 49ers win would secure the divisional crown for San Francisco for the first time since 2012. A win would also lock up the No. 1 overall seed in the conference, giving the Niners a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
A loss, however, would be detrimental to San Francisco’s efforts. And this isn’t made easier by the fact the Niners haven’t won at CenturyLink Field since 2011.
Perhaps it’s time to end that streak.
49ers vs. Seahawks: Betting Odds and Lines
San Francisco enters this contest as a three-point favorite, according to the Action Network. Yet it’s important to note the 49ers’ Week 15 and Week 16 opponents, the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams, both covered the spread the last two weeks.
As far as betting lines go, the Niners are at minus-180, while Seattle is plus-168.
The over/under is set at 47.
Week 17 Weather
Not surprisingly for this time of year, it’s going to be overcast and mostly cloudy at CenturyLink Field this Sunday night.
The good news, though, is the forecast is calling for only a 20 percent chance of rain, and the kickoff temperature is predicted to be 46 degrees.
Winds are supposed to be negligible.
49ers Significant Injuries
For the first time in what seems like a while, the Niners appear to have some good news on the injury front. Safety Jaquiski Tartt, who has missed time with a ribs injury, has been back at practice this week, albeit in limited fashion, so he’ll likely be questionable instead of ruled out.
Defensive tackle Jullian Taylor (elbow) resumed practice, but he ultimately suffered a separate knee injury on Thursday, prompting an MRI and the possibility of a roster move.
Defensive back Tarvarius Moore, who suffered a concussion in Week 16, has been fully cleared.
EDGE Dee Ford (quad/hamstring) is still not expected to play.
Seahawks Significant Injuries
Seattle is going through a considerable amount of injuries late in the year, including losing starting left tackle Duane Brown to a season-ending knee injury. While there hasn’t been any official determination, the Seahawks will likely start backup lineman Jamarco Jones in Brown’s place.
Running backs C.J. Prosise and Chris Carson also suffered season-ending injuries, prompting Seattle to sign veteran running backs Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin for the contest.
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EDGE Jadeveon Clowney is banged up with a core injury, although he’ll likely be questionable. But defensive back Quandre Diggs (ankle) probably won’t play.
Playoff Implications
If the 49ers win on Sunday, it’s simple: San Francisco secures both the NFC West and the top seed in the conference.
But if the Niners lose, they’ll drop to the No. 5 seed in the playoffs, having lost the division to Seattle and giving up both a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the process.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks still have an outside chance to secure the top seed with a win over San Francisco, but it would also take both the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints losing in Week 17, too.
Should the 49ers and Seahawks tie, things get a bit messy. San Francisco would win the division by that means, staying in the top four seeds in the NFL playoffs. But depending on what happens between Green Bay, New Orleans and their respective games, the Niners could find themselves either No. 2 or No. 3 in the standings.
Either way, winning would solve everything and make it easy for San Francisco.
Next. 49ers vs. Seahawks: 5 Week 17 matchups to watch. dark
The 49ers and Seahawks kick off on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday Night Football from CenturyLink Field.