49ers vs. Seahawks Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
The 49ers return to action looking to rebound from a dismal 6-11 campaign in 2024, but already find themselves battling an injury big that has sidelined several key players. The Seahawks aim to take the next step after compiling a 10-7 record last season, but were denied first place in the NFC West and a playoff spot after falling short of the Los Angles Rams on tiebreakers.
The 49ers arrive in Seattle perched as 2.5-point favourites on the NFL Week 1 odds. The Seahawks lag as +115 underdogs on the NFL moneyline and the total for Sunday afternoon’s contest is pegged at 43.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
These two teams split last year’s season series, with the Seahawks claiming a narrow 20-17 victory in San Francisco in their most recent meeting last November. With that victory, the Seahawks halted a five-game head-to-head losing streak that featured three straight defeats on home turf by an average margin of 12.7 points.
Accordingly, the 49ers have been the more reliable bet when these teams meet, covering in four of their past six, and have also won and covered in four of their past five visits to Lumen Field. But overall, the Niners were a massive betting disappointment overall last season, going 5-12 ATS while covering just once in their final nine contests and lost outright in seven of 13 as betting chalk.
Last season proved to be a rollercoaster ride for the Seahawks, who closed out the schedule on a 6-2 SU run but posted ATS in their final four outings. Seattle particularly struggled on home turf, going 1-6 SU and ATS in their final seven dates after opening the schedule on a solid 3-0 run, and has gone just 3-8 SU and ATS in its past 11 as a home dog.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers should get a lift from the healthy return of Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, and George Kittle, all of whom missed time last season due to an array of injuries. Indeed, the return of McCaffrey is particularly big considering the success this squad has had since adding him to the lineup in 2022, going 27-6 in his first 33 game appearances as a Niner.
Knee and tendon injuries limited McCaffrey to just four appearances last season, raising concerns about rust. However, McCaffrey has regularly feasted on the Seahawks, topping 100 rushing yards four times while averaging 109.7 rushing yards and contributing an average of over 48 receiving yards.
With the battered 49ers receiving corps diminished by the absence of Brandon Aiyuk and possibly Jauan Jennings, McCaffrey could emerge as a regular target for Purdy, and is worthy of consideration on the NFL player props as a -110 bet to compile OVER 34.5 receiving yards.
Seattle Seahawks
The pressure will be on the Seahawks to snap their season-ending home slide and tally consecutive wins over the rival 49ers for the first time since 2021. With the offseason departure of Geno Smith, the Seattle offence is now in the hands of Sam Darnold, who revitalized his NFL career last season while emerging as an unlikely hero in Minnesota, where he tossed for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns after stepping into the starter’s role in place of injured rookie JJ McCarthy.
After seeing virtually no preseason action, Darnold must now develop chemistry with a receiving corps led by Jaxon Smith-Njigba and new arrivals Cooper Kupp and Tony Horton.
However, the depth of the Seahawks receiver group has also been tested by injury, with Jake Bobo, Dareke Young, Cody White all listed as questionable after being limited in practice this week.
That could mean lots of touches for running back Kenneth Walker III, who scored in both appearances against the Niners last season and offers value as a -130 bet to produce OVER 14.5 rushing attempts.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win 49ers vs. Seahawks?
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