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seahawks Poised to Upset 49ers in NFC Divisional Round, Experts Predict
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The Seattle Seahawks are favored to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in saturday night’s NFC divisional playoff matchup, according to a consensus of analysts who have closely studied the teams’ Week 18 contest adn current player conditions. A range of insights, from matchup analysis to betting recommendations and daily fantasy sports (DFS) strategies, point toward a challenging night for the 49ers and a potential upset victory for Seattle. Odds are provided by DraftKings sportsbook and are subject to change.
49ers’ Offensive Challenges Mount
When the 49ers possess the ball, their typically potent running game led by Christian McCaffrey will be a key focus.Though, one analyst noted that the run game has lacked consistent efficiency this season, despite remaining the foundation of San francisco’s offense. McCaffrey is expected to see a high volume of touches, leveraging his dual-threat capabilities as both a runner and receiver.
A notable hurdle for the 49ers is the limited success they experienced through the air against Seattle in their previous encounter. The Week 18 matchup saw the Seahawks restrict San Francisco and quarterback Brock Purdy to just one completion of 20 or more yards. Adding to the challenge, the loss of tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles presents a major obstacle. “Shanahan needs to play the defensive tendencies of Seattle to generate throwing windows,” one expert stated, emphasizing the need for strategic play-calling to overcome the Seahawks’ coverage.
Best Bet: One analyst recommends a wager on Jauan Jennings to exceed 40.5 receiving yards (-114).Jennings’ ability to exploit the Seahawks’ two-deep zone coverages,combined with potential play-action targets,positions him for success in the underneath levels. He has surpassed 40 receiving yards in two of his last four games.
Seahawks’ Ground Game to Dominate?
The Seahawks’ offensive strategy is expected to center around their running attack. According to analysis, Seattle’s running backs, Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, will be pivotal in controlling the clock and wearing down the 49ers’ defense. walker’s power running style complements Charbonnet’s versatility, creating a dynamic backfield duo. The 49ers’ run defense, while generally strong, has shown vulnerabilities against teams with a commitment to establishing the run.
Seattle’s passing game, led by quarterback Sam Darnold, is also poised for success. Analysts highlight the emergence of rookie wide receiver jaxon Smith-Njigba as a key factor.
- Kenneth Walker III 75+ rushing yards (-110): Walker’s consistent production and the Seahawks’ commitment to the run make him a strong candidate to surpass this yardage total.
- Zach Charbonnet 50+ rushing yards (-115): Charbonnet’s role in the Seahawks’ offense is expected to increase, providing him with ample opportunities to contribute on the ground.
- Jauan Tonges 5+ receiving yards (-113): Tonges has stepped up in Kittle’s absence, demonstrating a reliable target for Purdy.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba 100+ receiving yards (+107): Smith-Njigba’s average of 9.6 targets and 105.5 receiving yards per game this season, coupled with San Francisco’s vulnerability to wide receivers, makes him a strong candidate to exceed 100 yards.
DFS Strategies: Captain Choices and Lineup Recommendations
For those participating in DraftKings Captain Showdown contests, several players are highlighted as strong captain options:
- Sam darnold ($15,600): Despite limited success against the 49ers in the regular season, Darnold’s emergence as a capable quarterback, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt (QB2), makes him a compelling choice, particularly in a high-stakes playoff habitat.
- Jaxon smith-Njigba ($17,100): Seattle’s offensive shift towards shorter,safer plays funnels a significant volume of targets to Smith-Njigba,making him a consistent performer.
- Brock Purdy ($15,900): If the 49ers are to win, it will likely require a strong passing performance from Purdy, given Seattle’s formidable run defense.
Complementary lineup recommendations include the Seahawks
