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SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS -10
Seattle (5-8, 1-5 away) at Seattle (8-5, 5-1 home) @ 8:00 PM. EST. * NFL Network
The Seattle Seahawks are in position to break a curse tonight, when they play host to the San Francisco 49ers in a divisional battle from Qwest Field.
With a victory, Mike Holmgren's team (8-5) would wrap up its third straight NFC West title, and officially becoming the first Super Bowl runner-up since the 2000 Tennessee Titans to return to the postseason one year after losing on the game's ultimate stage.
Getting back into postseason position has been anything but easy for Seattle, which has endured extended injury-related absences to key players such as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (knee) and running back Shaun Alexander (foot). Hasselbeck and Alexander have both returned to the lineup, but the Seahawks will be missing top receiver Darrell Jackson on Thursday night due to a bout with turf toe.
Seattle will be trying to get back into the win column following last week's 27-21 loss at Arizona.
The 49ers, meanwhile, are looking to snap a three-game losing skid and remain a part of the playoff picture.
Consecutive losses to the Rams (20-17), Saints (34-10), and Packers (30-19) have put Mike Nolan and company on the ropes following an encouraging 5-5 start, but San Francisco has yet to be officially eliminated from contention for a division crown.
The Niners' 20-14 win over the Seahawks in Week 11 means that three straight wins to end the year, including one on Thursday night, coupled with three consecutive Seattle losses, would put San Francisco back in the postseason for the first time since 2002.
The 49ers finish up with Arizona at home (12/24) and Denver (12/31) on the road, while Seattle concludes with a home game against San Diego (12/24) and a trip to Tampa Bay (12/31).
SERIES HISTORY
Seattle leads the all-time series with San Francisco, 8-7, but as mentioned, dropped a 20-14 decision when the teams met at Monster Park back in Week 11. The Seahawks had won the previous six meetings, sweeping home-and-homes in 2003, 2004, and 2005. The Niners are 0-3 in Seattle since last winning there in 2002, and have been outscored by a composite of 75-3 in their two most recent trips to the Emerald City.
Holmgren is 11-4 versus San Francisco, where he served as an assistant from 1986 through 1991. Holmgren was 5-1 against the Niners during his tenure as head coach with Green Bay (1993-98), including a 3-1 record in the playoffs. The 49ers' Nolan is 1-2 against both Holmgren and the Seahawks as a head coach.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
The Seahawks haven't encountered many opponents that are in worse shape with injuries than they are, but the 49ers' list of the afflicted rivals that of Seattle. The San Francisco linebacking corps and secondary is battered beyond recognition, which doesn't bode well for a team that is last in the league in scoring defense as it is. Look for the Hawks to move the ball consistently throughout the night. On the other side of the ball, Gore should be able to get his 100 yards, but he won't be complemented enough in the passing game to allow the Niners to post a serious upset bid.
Seattle (5-8, 1-5 away) at Seattle (8-5, 5-1 home) @ 8:00 PM. EST. * NFL Network
The Seattle Seahawks are in position to break a curse tonight, when they play host to the San Francisco 49ers in a divisional battle from Qwest Field.
With a victory, Mike Holmgren's team (8-5) would wrap up its third straight NFC West title, and officially becoming the first Super Bowl runner-up since the 2000 Tennessee Titans to return to the postseason one year after losing on the game's ultimate stage.
Getting back into postseason position has been anything but easy for Seattle, which has endured extended injury-related absences to key players such as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (knee) and running back Shaun Alexander (foot). Hasselbeck and Alexander have both returned to the lineup, but the Seahawks will be missing top receiver Darrell Jackson on Thursday night due to a bout with turf toe.
Seattle will be trying to get back into the win column following last week's 27-21 loss at Arizona.
The 49ers, meanwhile, are looking to snap a three-game losing skid and remain a part of the playoff picture.
Consecutive losses to the Rams (20-17), Saints (34-10), and Packers (30-19) have put Mike Nolan and company on the ropes following an encouraging 5-5 start, but San Francisco has yet to be officially eliminated from contention for a division crown.
The Niners' 20-14 win over the Seahawks in Week 11 means that three straight wins to end the year, including one on Thursday night, coupled with three consecutive Seattle losses, would put San Francisco back in the postseason for the first time since 2002.
The 49ers finish up with Arizona at home (12/24) and Denver (12/31) on the road, while Seattle concludes with a home game against San Diego (12/24) and a trip to Tampa Bay (12/31).
SERIES HISTORY
Seattle leads the all-time series with San Francisco, 8-7, but as mentioned, dropped a 20-14 decision when the teams met at Monster Park back in Week 11. The Seahawks had won the previous six meetings, sweeping home-and-homes in 2003, 2004, and 2005. The Niners are 0-3 in Seattle since last winning there in 2002, and have been outscored by a composite of 75-3 in their two most recent trips to the Emerald City.
Holmgren is 11-4 versus San Francisco, where he served as an assistant from 1986 through 1991. Holmgren was 5-1 against the Niners during his tenure as head coach with Green Bay (1993-98), including a 3-1 record in the playoffs. The 49ers' Nolan is 1-2 against both Holmgren and the Seahawks as a head coach.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
The Seahawks haven't encountered many opponents that are in worse shape with injuries than they are, but the 49ers' list of the afflicted rivals that of Seattle. The San Francisco linebacking corps and secondary is battered beyond recognition, which doesn't bode well for a team that is last in the league in scoring defense as it is. Look for the Hawks to move the ball consistently throughout the night. On the other side of the ball, Gore should be able to get his 100 yards, but he won't be complemented enough in the passing game to allow the Niners to post a serious upset bid.
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