San Francisco 49ers (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) vs. Seattle Seahawks (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS)
NFL Week 2
Date/Time: Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 4:25PM EST
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
TV: Fox
by Scott, Expert Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: SF/SEA
Over/Under Total: 55.5
In NFC West action, the San Francisco 49ers come up north to face the Seattle Seahawks in week 2 Sunday action. Both teams are hoping for better results this week after not winning or covering the spread. Thats especially true for a Seattle team whose hopes are higher this season than their counterparts. In a tough road game in week one, the Seahawks fell to the Packers at Lambeau, 17-9. San Francisco didnt fare any better, soundly beaten at home by the Carolina Panthers, 20-3. After a combined 12 points from both teams in week one, who can thrive this week?
In his first season as San Francisco head coach, Kyle Shanahan will likely have his hands full. This is a team that may have been thriving a few seasons ago, but sometimes yesterdays smiles turn into todays cries and San Fran is feeling the affect of the fallout. If looking for silver lining, the defense has some pieces to build around and on Sunday, they had Carolinas offense struggling some. Other than that, its slim pickings for the Niners. The offense lacks any real playmaking ability and their quarterback is not a guy theyre interested in developing. The line protecting him is far from top-top.
Brian Hoyer, who starts at QB for the Niners, isnt a bad quarterback. He might not have a future with this team, but for a biding-time type of quarterback, you could do a lot worse. The 3-point total wasnt all his fault, though he will need to perform better. RB Carlos Hyde was effective catching short passes, but only had 45 yards on the day. New receiver Pierre Garcon had 81 yards in the offenses only semi-bright spot of week one. When having to play behind a lot, they get away from their run-game and start relying on an aerial attack that doesnt really have the teeth to compete. And against Seattle, that equation gets even more-hopeless.
On San Franciscos defense, we see some exciting talent that impresses one moment with their potential, before doing something foolish the next. One of those youngsters, promising-looking rookie linebacker Rueben Foster, went down and will be out for a while. When he returns, the middle is pretty good, with NaVorro Bowman and Ray Ray Armstrong. Up-front, Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner, two former Oregon Ducks, are nice pieces around which to build. The secondary actually kept Carolinas receivers in check and kept touted Panthers rookie Christian McCaffrey in check. Well see how well they hang in there this week with an offense that often doesnt pull its weight and cant be expected to this week.
Seattle didnt catch a lot of breaks in week one at Lambeau. They seemed to catch the bad end of the stick with the officiating, which could have put a whole different light on the game. And after scoring just 9 points, the offense is going to catch a lot of grief. One thing is sure and that is whatever concerns existed on the offensive line were well-founded. Nothing theyve tried in the draft or through free agency seems to be able to help a line that frequently gets manhandled.
Russell Wilson is really good and durable, considering the lack of support he receives up-front. They are still awaiting the return of Thomas Rawls (probable) and on Sunday, they couldnt run the ball. Eddie Lacy was quiet against his former team and rookie Chris Carson was the only beam of hope when he broke loose a bit on a 30-yard run. With Wilson under siege and some good play by the Packers defense, the pass-game labored, with Doug Baldwin, Paul Richardson, and Jimmy Graham kept in-check for the afternoon. A healthy Tyler Lockett could give them a big-play option aerially and on special teams.
As usual, the Seattle defense was the best part of the team. They allowed some yardage, with Aaron Rodgers having a pretty big day. Still, to hold a home Packers squad to 17 points should have been good enough. The line is still top-notch with Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril (questionable), Frank Clark, and new Seattle DT Sheldon Richardson. Linebackers Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright continue to shine in the middle. The secondary is still strong, anchored by Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor. We should an even more-potent defense if the Seahawks offense manages to keep some drives going this week, which they should against Friscos defense.
Again, things will take a while to turn around for the 49ers. They will have some good games along the way, but there looks to be a lot of struggling in their near future. Seattle looked anything but great in week one. The recipe for their success could be growing stale. But there is a lot of pride and hopes on that sideline and one should picture a high-energy Seattle team in their home-opener. Its just too hard to lay almost two touchdowns on this offense, even against the Niners.
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