Good morning, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Friday, Nov. 20 - about your Seahawks (4-5) two days before the team meets the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers (3-6) at Seattle's CenturyLink Field, where kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT with television coverage on FOX (channel 13 in Seattle).
The Picks Are In
ESPN NFL Nation reporters Sheil Kapadia (Seahawks) and Paul Gutierrez (49ers) offer their predictions for Sunday's game between the two teams they cover and each writer thinks the Seahawks will earn a victory.
Kapadia, who predicts a 24-10 Seattle win, says, "Since Week 6, Russell Wilson has posted a QBR of 52.5 (21st) and a passer rating of 82.0 (24th). The offense has failed to find an identity all season long, but a visit from the 49ers may be exactly what this team needs. In the last meeting, Marshawn Lynch ran for a season-high 122 yards. And according to ESPN Stats and Information, San Francisco has scored one touchdown or fewer in its past eight games against the Seahawks. Seattle is the only double-digit favorite of Week 11 and should win big."
Gutierrez, who predicts a 24-13 Seattle win, writes, "The Niners are in full rebuild mode with a starting offensive backfield likely comprised of Blaine Gabbert at quarterback and Shaun Draughn at running back while the two-time NFC champion Seahawks are in full panic mode, sitting at just 4-5. What's that they say about a wounded animal being the most dangerous animal, again? Gabbert has never won back-to-back starts in his career (going 0-5 after a victory), Seattle has won five of the past six meetings and after Sunday, it will be six of seven. The Niners' defense, which sacked Russell Wilson five times last month, will make it interesting for a bit."
Danny O'Neil at 710Sports.com picks the Seahawks to win this weekend, 20-9, "Seahawks' angle: Not much mystery here. Last week's loss to Arizona made it hard to see the Seahawks winning the division. A loss to the 49ers this weekend would be equally lethal for Seattle's wild-card chances. Seattle has won six of the past seven games against San Francisco at CenturyLink Field, including the 2013 NFC Championship Game."
Elliot Harrison at NFL.com thinks the Seahawks will win big, 30-10, "Is Blaine Gabbert the answer for the Niners? Before you snicker, remember that this guy did go 10th overall in the same draft that featured Colin Kaepernick and Andy Dalton as second-round picks. Then again, Jake Locker was drafted ahead of all those folks -- so, uh, never mind. Gabbert will endeavor to get the ball out on time, as he did versus the Falcons two weeks ago, although he'll find this Seattle pass rush to be a different animal entirely than Atlanta's ... like, the difference between Alabama and ITT Tech. Unfortunately, that pass rush wasn't able to get to Carson Palmer in the waning moments Sunday night. That said, Gabbert has not shown a penchant for hitting the long ball à la Palmer. And the threat of the draw -- the play that killed the Seahawks late in the loss -- won't be as effective, given the 49ers' so-so aerial game."
Don Banks at SI.com sees a 25-13 win for the Seahawks, "The Seahawks gave up 39 points at home last week and have now lost two in a row at CenturyLink Field ... The Seahawks don't have to worry about the 49ers hanging 39 on them, but as I've said before, nothing is going to come easily in Seattle this year."
Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com has the Seahawks winning 28-7, "The Seahawks are in desperate need of a victory, and this might be one of those games where they take it out on a rival. Blaine Gabbert will face a fierce defense here. The Seahawks will also get the offense going. Seattle takes it."
Four writers at the Seattle Times think the Seahawks will pull out a win this weekend, including beat reporter Bob Condotta, who predicts a 21-9 win, "The Seahawks are now at the stage where every game is truly must-win. The good news is that they get one of the worst teams in the NFL coming to Seattle this week. These are not the Harbaugh-era 49ers and QB Blaine Gabbert is not Carson Palmer or Cam Newton. The 49ers defense could make this one look ugly for a while, but the Seahawks will get it done."
All five NFL.com *Around the League *writers like the Seahawks to win.
All eight NFL experts at CBSSports.com pick Seattle to win.
And all 13 NFL analysts at ESPN.com take the Seahawks to win this weekend.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from The Rich Eisen Show, as the NFL Media personality joins Seahawks Radio analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon to talk about Seattle's season.
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle outlines quarterback Russell Wilson and the offense's mindset heading into Sunday's game and highlights how free safety Earl Thomas is looking to help kids with ADD and ADHD through his Guardian Angel Foundation.
Coach Pete Carroll says running back Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) "feels like he can play" this weekend despite sitting out the first two practices of the week.
With linebacker Bruce Irvin (knee) out this weekend, rookie defensive end Frank Clark is one player expected to receive more snaps.
Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com recaps free safety Earl Thomas' assessment of where the Seahawks stand.
Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times shares five takeaways from assistant head coach/offensive line coach Tom Cable's Wednesday meeting with the media.
Danny O'Neil at 710Sports.com pegs 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert as his person of interest heading into Sunday's game.
Stephen Cohen at SeattlePI.com shares reasons for optimism and pessimism heading into the Seahawks' stretch run.
And Gregg Rosenthal at NFL.com puts Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson at No. 10 in his weekly QB Index.
D*id I miss anything you think is worthy of inclusion? Let me know on Twitter *
