49ers vs. Seahawks: 5 bold predictions for critical NFC West bout

No. 1: 49ers double Seahawks in time of possession

Perhaps this isn’t so bold of a prediction.

One of the keys behind the Niners’ recent surge has been their ability to dominate time of possession. Over those last three wins, San Francisco has nearly hit 40 minutes’ possession time, which helped negate high-profile offenses like those of the Rams and Vikings while tiring out opposing defenses, too.

On paper, the Seahawks may have a talented offense with quarterback Russell Wilson, along with wide receivers Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. But that doesn’t erase the fact the Hawks are dead last in the league this season in non-overtime average time of possession per game at 24:09.

And their last three games have been, well…. atrocious:

• Week 10 @ Green Bay Packers: 20:51
• Week 11 vs. Arizona Cardinals: 19:38
• Week 12 @ Washington Football Team: 18:20

The last two Seattle losses have come against quarterbacks Colt McCoy and Taylor Heinicke, so it’s not like we’re talking about Wilson and Co. being outdueled by elite-level signal-callers. If anything, the disproportionate time of possession speaks measures to how poorly the Seahawks’ offensive drives have gone as of late.

For almost all of 2021, too.

Look for the 49ers to take full advantage of this trend, maintaining possession while the Hawks can’t sustain their own drives, leading to a 2-to-1 ratio, or better, in this department favoring the Niners.

San Francisco and Seattle kick off on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 4:25 p.m. ET from Lumen Field.