The Seattle Seahawks will be facing the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. It’s a rivalry as old as time, and the record between these two forces has historically been nearly a tie. If you’ve got a TV or will be near one Thursday, you’d better be in front of it for this blowout.
In 2013, the Hawks and the Niners locked in battle three whole times, with Seattle taking two of those victories- the most important one being the Super Bowl semi-finals earlier this year, as the Hawks clinched that one before their historic seizing of the Vince Lombardi trophy. The Niners last won that thing almost two decades ago in 1994, and you better believe they’ve missed having it around. So, it probably goes without saying that this one will be intense- and maybe even a little bit personal. The teams both are at a 7-4 record for the 2014 season, which means they’re once again fighting to be NFC West champs- though they’re both still two games behind the Arizona Cardinals. The Hawks clinched a 19-3 victory against the Cardinals on Sunday in Seattle, so it remains to be seen if they can go 2 for 2 against their current biggest threats.
Current speculation suggests that the 49ers are more favored to win, but only narrowly. The Hawks have a bit of a rough road record, and the 49ers have a great home record. Raising the stakes, this game will almost certainly be crucial in deciding who makes it to the NFC playoffs- much as the winner will have trouble getting into (and through) the postseason. Expect high emotions both on and off the field.
Another thing that’s sure to make this one heck of a battle- these two teamed are virtually matched in their statistics this season. For example, the Hawks are going hard for about 359.4 yards per game; currently the Niners are averaging around 340. The Seattle defense has been allowing an average of 297 yards per game; San Francisco defense is allowing 300. The Seahawks’ third-down conversions hovers around 41.1 percent; San Francisco’s hovers around 41.2.
No matter which team you love, this is one of those games where the fans of each team are going to be extremely polarized. There is one statistical category where the Seahawks rule the roost while the 49ers clean it- turnovers, and not just the apple kind found in the concession stands. The Hawks greatly outclass the Niners in turnovers on defense vs turnovers on offense: the Seattle’s defensive square has eeked out 20 more turnovers than its offense has let happen, while San Francisco’s number in that category sits at just 12. Given that turnovers have been Seattle’s big advantage in the games of the past, there’s a good chance this particular statistic could be a very big part of the game.
Seattle may have won their last battle against the fearsome 49ers, but the last battle they fought in the bay area’s Candlestick Park against them ended up at 19-17 in the Niner’s favor.
The game will be nationally televised at 5:30PM on NBC.
