Seattle Seahawks Slight Underdogs Against San Francisco 49ers

NFL News - September 17th, 2009 - Written by John

Seattle at San Francisco -- Two of the big surprises in week one will meet each other when the San Francisco 49ers play host to Seattle.

The 'Niners are 6-4 under head coach Mike Singletary and appear to be ready to finally make some noise in the NFC. Their defense held one of last season's top scoring offenses to only 16 points and broke a six-game skid against the Cardinals. It was the first time Arizona had lost to an NFC West team in over a year.

Meanwhile, Seattle's win over the Rams was less a surprise from the result and more because of how healthy and efficient their team looked. It was somewhat reminiscent of their Super Bowl run in 2006 when they (swept the division?) and took the NFC for the first time in franchise history. That year, the Seahawks had a healthy Matt Hasselbeck. Since then, not so much.

The three-time Pro Bowler has been hampered by back injuries, and has taken him out of 10 of Seattle's last 32 games. Fully energized, Hasselbeck looked good last week with three TDs and a rating of 96.9. His main target was tight end John Carlson, who had six catches for 95 yards and at touchdown. He also has the NFL's active career rushing yards leader in Edgerrin James in the backfield, along with Julius Jones, who broke off 117 yards in the opener.

He will have his hands full against a defense that stymied Kurt Warner and last year's NFC Champs. They rallied late and stoned Warner into a four-and-out with the game on the line.

It seemed like the 49ers were looking at another mediocre year after failing to sign their first-round pick, Michael Crabtree, before the season started. He was supposed to be the playmaker they were missing, providing a spark to a stagnant offense that ranked in the lower third of the league in 2008. It doesn't look like they need him so far.

Shaun Hill guided the San Francisco offense calmly in the come-from-behind win against Arizona. He took his team on a 15-play, 80-yard drive which ended with a touchdown pass to Frank Gore.

BetUS likes the 49ers in one of the smallest margins of the week. They are favored by 1 1/2 points with an over under of 39 1/2.

To discuss this and other NFL related stories be sure to check out our new forum at:
https://www.usaplayers.com/forums/nfl-news/