Seahawks win over Panthers in Week 17
USAT’s Jarrett Bell breaks down the Seahawks defense and how they dominated over the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.
Sports Pulse
You’ve heard of win-or-go-home games. This one is a win-and-stay-home contest.
The NFC West has been the best division in the NFL this season and offers us one more marquee matchup in prime time on Saturday night. Division leader and current No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, the Seattle Seahawks, head south for their regular-season finale against the San Francisco 49ers.
Both teams have a playoff spot locked up. The 13-3 Seahawks have the upper hand over the 12-4 49ers entering this contest, but the results could change how the NFC stacks up entering the postseason.
With a win, San Francisco vaults from the No. 5 seed up to the No. 1 seed. They’d be equal with Seattle on overall win-loss record at 13-4 but would get the tiebreaker from two head-to-head wins.
That would earn the 49ers a first-round bye and a chance to play at home for the entire postseason because Super Bowl 60 will be held at their home, Levi’s Stadium.
A win for Seattle means the Seahawks would have a bye as the No. 1 seed with home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs. That would drop the 49ers to the No. 5 seed at best; they could be the No. 6 seed if the Los Angeles Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals, giving Los Angeles a better record against common opponents.
There’s plenty on the line on Saturday in California – and the 49ers will debut some new jerseys for the occasion.
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the 49ers-Seahawks.
How to watch the 49ers vs. Seahawks game?
The 49ers-Seahawks matchup on Saturday will be broadcast nationally on ABC and ESPN. Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (analyst) will be on the call.
What time is the 49ers vs. Seahawks game?
The 49ers and Seahawks are scheduled for kickoff at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday night.
49ers vs. Seahawks streamLive stream: ESPN+, fuboTV, NFL+
The 49ers-Seahawks game will stream on ESPN+ and fuboTV as well as the league’s streaming service, NFL+.
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49ers vs. Seahawks prediction, picks
Here’s what the experts at USA TODAY think will happen in the 49ers vs. Seahawks matchup in Week 18:
Jarrett Bell: 49ers, 24-20Nick Brinkerhoff: 49ers, 38-31Chris Bumbaca: 49ers, 29-28Nate Davis: Seahawks, 30-24Tyler Dragon: Seahawks, 28-25Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: 49ers, 31-2849ers vs. Seahawks odds, moneyline, O/U
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Over/Under (O/U):Â 48 (O: -110 | U: -110)Moneyline (ML):Â Seahawks -135 (Bet $135 to win $100) | 49ers +115 (Bet $100 to win $115)Against the spread (ATS):Â Seahawks -2.5 (-110) | 49ers +2.5 (-110)NFC West standings
The Seahawks lead the NFC West standings entering the season finale. Here’s a full look at the division:
Seattle Seahawks (13-3, 3-2 NFC West)San Francisco 49ers (12-4, 4-1)Los Angeles Rams (11-5, 3-2)Arizona Cardinals (3-13, 0-5)NFC playoff pictureSeattle Seahawks (13-3, NFC West leaders)*Chicago Bears (11-5, NFC North winners)*Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winners)*Carolina Panthers (8-8, NFC South leaders)San Francisco 49ers (12-4, wild card No. 1)*Los Angeles Rams (11-5, wild card No. 2)*Green Bay Packers (9-6-1, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)