49ers game Saturday: Niners vs. Commanders odds and prediction for NFL Week 16 game

The 49ers could put a dent in the Commanders’ hopes for the NFL playoffs while improving their own lot on a Saturday Week 16 game at Levi’s Stadium.

Depending on how the opening slate of NFL games goes on Saturday, Dec. 24, the San Francisco 49ers may either have a good deal to play for when they kick off at home against the Washington Commanders, or they might simply want to rest players after having clinched the NFC West on Thursday Night Football in Week 15 with a win over the Seattle Seahawks.

And what’ll likely be no worse than the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoff picture.

However, the No. 2-seeded Minnesota Vikings host the New York Giants at the 1 p.m. ET group of games on Saturday, meaning head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. can do some scoreboard watching before their own game on the same day against Washington.

If the Vikings lose, Shanahan might opt to treat the afternoon game with all kinds of seriousness, as San Francisco can move into the second spot in the postseason seeding because of having a better conference record, the tiebreaker with the 49ers and Vikings presumably 11-4 after Week 16.

Yet that would also entail the Niners beating Washington, a team that’s also desperately trying to stay in the Wild Card race alongside those Giants and Dallas Cowboys within what has turned into a tough, tough NFC East that has already seen the No. 1-seeded Philadelphia Eagles clinch the division.

Read More: Is No. 2 seed in NFC worth it to Kyle Shanahan, 49ers?

With a seven-game win streak on the line, Saturday’s home bout against the Commanders could be quite interesting if San Francisco treats it as a crucial contest.

49ers vs. Commanders betting odds Week 16

The 49ers are 7.5-point home favorites for this Week 16 tilt, according to the oddsmakers over at FanDuel.

It makes more than enough sense, especially considering the Niners’ mini bye week after having played on Thursday night the previous week, paired with Washington having to travel all the way across the country after playing the Giants on Sunday Night Football.

San Francisco’s moneyline is -350, while Washington’s is +275.

The over/under for the game is 40.5.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

49ers vs. Commanders prediction Week 16

So much of this depends on how Shanahan views the matchup and whether or not the No. 2 seed within the conference is worth it amid an ever-changing NFL playoffs picture.

Let’s assume, however, Shanahan treats this as a vital game while understanding the increased risk of injuries to key players, perhaps gunning for a shot at leapfrogging the Vikings.

Washington’s offense, which entered Week 15 ranked 25th in scoring, is going to have a tough time against the 49ers’ No. 1-ranked defense. Sure, the Commanders have their own solid defense, too, but one probably has to account for the fact the Niners have much more weaponry on offense than Washington has.

Simply put, advantage San Francisco.

If the 49ers don’t rest their starters for the vast majority of the game, let’s go ahead and predict a low-scoring affair but one the Niners ultimately win, 21-10.

San Francisco kicks off its Christmas Eve game against Washington on Saturday, Dec. 24 at 4:05 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.