49ers vs. Seahawks: Line Opens At 49ers -5.5

by David Fucillo on Sep 6, 2011 6:01 AM PDT in NFL Gambling

It's officially game week and the first betting lines have opened for this weekend's games. In the world of sports gambling, this first week of games is as much a shot in the dark as anything. While some teams have not made a ton of changes heading into the season, anything is possible when the NFL season starts, which means picking favorites and setting spreads includes some measure of guess work.

The San Francisco 49ers have opened as a 5 1/2 point favorite against the Seattle Seahawks in a matchup of two teams with numerous question marks heading into the season. The home team gets three points just for showing up, so this would indicate oddsmakers like the 49ers in the game, but not by a whole lot. Anything under a touchdown leaves plenty of room for questions.

Injury news can impact a spread, but beyond Michael Crabtree, the only significant injuries are to Reggie Smith and Shawntae Spencer. Crabtree has been working out with the team but we won't know his full status until we start seeing the practice participation reports beginning Wednesday. I don't expect the spread to change too much, but for now I'd think the 49ers to cover is the way to go.

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hmm, I expect an ugly week 1 for these two teams offensively

Something in the 17-13 type range.

so if I had to bet, I’d bet Seahawks beat spread, but betting on week 1 in the NFL is something only gambling addicts do.

by whistlingmountain on Sep 6, 2011 6:06 AM PDT reply actions

Betting is what gambling addicts do.

There is no other reason to bet.

by Mindless on Sep 6, 2011 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Going down to get my parlay cards today , pick my usual Two buck 8 - 10 teamer card ...!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!

by Edggy on Sep 6, 2011 6:18 AM PDT reply actions

Unpredictable

Anybody says they can predict this game is blowing smoke out their……

by scrappydog on Sep 6, 2011 6:52 AM PDT reply actions

niners win is easy to pick.

8 sacks for the niners in this game, okung plays little as he is hurt and the seachickens end up playing almost the whole game with three rookies on their o-line. long opening day for tavaris

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Sep 6, 2011 7:12 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't see a huge struggle. 31 - 16 niners

by bhbf08 on Sep 6, 2011 7:09 AM PDT reply actions

I see the Hawks scrapping out a close win against the Niners

who haven’t completely broken in the playbook yet. Then again, I’m an eternal pessimist.

---
Revenge is ice cream.

by HaikenEdge on Sep 6, 2011 7:25 AM PDT reply actions

Pessimist is a well informed realist.

by Mindless on Sep 6, 2011 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Just hope this isn't like last year..

Where we were blown out by them with the game setting the tone for us for the rest of the year..

"Winning means being unafraid to lose." – Fran Tarkenton

by Nelow on Sep 6, 2011 7:35 AM PDT reply actions

12th man

Harbaugh will find a QB and he will succeed.

by goatfather on Sep 6, 2011 7:36 AM PDT up reply actions

It's all about getting points on the board and making the best of the situation.

You might remember, we didn’t actually get blown out. We dominated the first half and could easily have taken control of the game by mid-second quarter with a 21-point lead, which would have set the tone for the rest of the game. Instead, we ended up with 6 points on 3 red zone possessions. Hopefully we won’t have those kind of missed opportunities this game.

by Rhombus on Sep 6, 2011 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree with Hunter and bhb...

This game is absolutely no contest IF the Niners avoid turnovers and execute as planned (no costly penalties, fumbles, or dropped balls in end zone, remember last year) and if Edwards and Crabtree play. Far more talent (let’s keep the quarterback talk out of this for once). Much better coaching this year. Playing at home. The Seahawks TE Carlson is OUT and he kills this team. Okung is not looking good to play in this game, so Niner pass rush gets after the quarterback.

Oddsmakers have NO IDEA how the Niners (including quarterback play) will do, given their revamped systems. That’s why so close to the vest on this game.

My only fear, turnovers are a killer. Look at the Notre Dame SFU game this past weekend. Doomed the Irish right from the start.

by bcabbage on Sep 6, 2011 7:42 AM PDT reply actions

I know you want to keep QB comments out of this, but

not many people would put Jackson over Smith in this situation, so it does help your argument.

We won turnover battles pretty well this preseason I think, at least with our first string in, and hopefully that will continue. Keep it conservative, and we win. I’m hoping to see a lot of Gore and Hunter, and some scores early. We take a two-score lead in the first half and our run game can do the rest. I’m expecting low total numbers from Alex with a high completion percentage, 200+ yards on the ground between the 3 backs, and a decisive win.

by Rhombus on Sep 6, 2011 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

by bcabbage on Sep 6, 2011 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Plus...

If Gore plays angry, he might get another 200+ yard rushing game.

Play angry, Frank!

by bcabbage on Sep 6, 2011 7:48 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Niners released LB Antwan Applewhite.

by mrdev4 on Sep 6, 2011 7:57 AM PDT reply actions

Hum, line just went down to Niners -5 with the Applewhite release.

by bcabbage on Sep 6, 2011 8:03 AM PDT reply actions

This line makes sense to me...

TJack has looked terrible in the preseason and the Seahawks have some injuries that could linger: Gallery, Okung, and Sidney Rice have all been a bit banged up and may not be ready to go on Sunday.
Plus, the game is at home for the Niners, and although the team has a new playbook, Alex Smith does have some familiarity with his offensive personnel…and again, the Niners aren’t trotting out Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback.
I’m prone to homerism, but this looks like a 21-14 Niners victory to me.

I hope 2011 is Harbaugh-some!
Twitter me at twitter.com/grantmp1

by grantmp on Sep 6, 2011 8:24 AM PDT reply actions