I been thinking about this game a lot! The 9ers are the best team in football... I think there is little doubt about that.
The question is, who are the Seahawks? For weeks I have been waiting patiently for the break out game. Now they are 6-6 and it looks like the break out game is not coming... most will think that.
I don't feel like at any point the Seahawks have found their identity on who they are as a team. Maybe that is because of injuries, maybe that's because of inconsistant coaching, inconsistant poor play calling. Maybe that is because of lack of discipline resulting in timely, costly peneltys. Maybe that is because of developing youth or maybe it's a little bit of all these reasons together.
The one thing That I know for a fact is, if the Seahawks don't put together a perfect game, they will lose.
The biggest factor I see in this game for the Seahawks will be, can they make SF respect the run game. Because if they don't SF will destroy the Hawks. Walker is questionable, probably won't play. The Hawks will be depending on Dallas who I think is a roll player who definitely has an important roll on this team but he is NOT a dynamic player. We have yet to see McIntosh and looking at history I don't think the Hawks will play him much but this is the question who will start at RB and how effective will that run game be.
The wild card in this whole thing is Pete Carroll. When was the last time the Hawks lost 4 in a row? There is a lot of heat on Pete right now. HOW will he respond to that? These are defining moments for Carroll, for his coaching staff. Could we see them build off a break out offensive performance last game VS Dallas? Maybe...I don't put anything past Carroll.
I think the Hawks have the talent to push SF, even beat them if all the stars line up just right. The question is can the Hawks put together a great game plan and play championship football for 4 quarters.
Conventional wisdom says No.
I think it's possible but not likely the Hawks win this game but like I say Carroll is on the hot seat and he responds when he is backed into a corner so I put nothing past him. Remember the playoff win vs the Saints. I want to pick the upset but because they are likely not to have a run game, I'm picking the Niners
Hawks 10
Niners 41
With the Hawks having a run game
Hawks 38
9ers. 37