We’re back for another week of the prospector’s guide! We forgot it for much of last week but got something together at the last minute. This week, we’re back on schedule for the San Francisco 49ers Week 3 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks have taken control of this series of late, winning five straight including the brutal 2014 NFC Championship Game.
The 49ers opened as ten point underdogs to the Seahawks, but the line has come down in most sportsbooks to 9.5. As of Tuesday night, 2/3 of public money was on the 49ers. I’m guessing now that they’ve lost that hook on ten points, the money will even out a bit. If I was a betting money, I like the Seahawks at 9.5 a lot more than I like them at 10 or 10.5.
Football Outsiders updated their DVOA rankings, and the 49ers dropped from No. 1 to No. 10. They rank No. 28 in DAVE, which combines preseason projections with current performance. Last week, DAVE included 90 percent preseason projections, whereas this week it is down to 80 percent. The Seahawks are No. 8 in overall DVOA, and No. 1 in DAVE thanks to their high preseason projections.
I’ve seen a lot of people saying the 49ers have a shot, with the Seahawks struggling without Marshawn Lynch. People point to the first two games as a sign of things to come. I can see arguments for why the Seahawks are struggling (Lynch gone, injuries), but I don’t put much stock in their first two games quite yet. The Seahawks have been notoriously slow starters, only to emerge and look like world-beaters once again. It’s possible this Seahawks team is closer to what we’ve seen the past two weeks, but I am skeptical that they won’t rebound and be back in the thick of the NFC West race as the season moves along. Of course, maybe that takes a few more weeks to kick in and the 49ers can shock them this week. Right? Is this mic on?
Matchups: 35
Series Record: Seahawks lead series 20-15
49ers Away Record vs. Seahawks: Seahawks lead series 12-7
First Meeting: 9/26/76, 49ers win 37-21, at Sea.
Last Meeting: 11/22/15, Seahawks win 29-13, at Sea.
Current Streak: Lost 5
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 4 (12/12/10 – 10/18/12)
Longest Seahawks Win Streak: 6 (10/12/03 – 12/11/05)
Most 49ers Points: 40 (12/12/10): 49ers win 40-21, at SF
Most Seahawks Points: 42 – 2 times, (Last 12/23/12): Seahawks win 42-13, at Sea.
49ers Shutouts: None
Seahawks Shutouts: 2 (Last 11/12/07), Seahawks win 24-0, at Sea.
DL ARIK ARMSTEAD
- Recorded a career-high 5 tackles at Sea. (11/22/15).
LB NaVORRO BOWMAN
- Recorded his first career sack at Sea. (12/24/11), dropping QB Tar- varis Jackson for a 4-yd. loss.
- Made a career-high 19 tackles at Sea. (12/23/12).
- Registered a team-high 13 tackles and had 1.0 sack, which forced a fumble by Seahawks QB Russell Wilson vs. Sea. (12/8/13).
- Recorded a team-high 15 tackles, 1.0 sack and 1 FF at Sea. (1/19/14) (NFC-C).
CB TRAMAINE BROCK
- Recorded 5 tackles, 1 INT and 1 PD vs. Sea. (10/22/15).
- Registered his first career INT, picking o QB Tarvaris Jackson to end the first half vs. Sea. (9/11/11).
LB AHMAD BROOKS
- Recorded 3 tackles and 1.0 sack at Sea. (11/22/15).
- Notched 6 tackles and 2.0 sacks vs. Sea. (10/22/15), bringing down Seahawks QB Russell Wilson twice for his sixth career game with 2.0-or-more sacks.
- Recorded 6 tackles, 1.0 sack and 1 PD vs. Sea. (11/27/14).
- Registered 4 tackles and 1.0 sack at Sea. (12/14/14).
DT TANK CARRADINE
- Picked up 5 tackles and registered the first two sacks of his NFL career, bring down Seahawks QB Russell Wilson twice at Sea. (12/14/14).
DT QUINTON DIAL
- During the 2015 season, recorded 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks in two games vs. Sea.
- Registered a career-high 12 tackles vs. Sea. (11/27/14).
- Notched double-digit tackles for the second time in his career with 10 at Sea. (12/14/14).
RB SHAUN DRAUGHN
- Registered a career-high 8 recepts. for 40 yds. at Sea. (11/22/15).
QB BLAINE GABBERT
- Completed 22-of-34 passes for 264 yds. and 1 TD and a QB rating of 98.2 at Sea. (11/22/15).
LB ELI HAROLD
- Recorded a career-high 5 tackles vs. Sea. (10/22/15).
TE VANCE McDONALD
- Recorded 4 recepts. for 65 yds. and the first TD of his NFL career at Sea. (11/22/15), on a 19-yd. pass from QB Blaine Gabbert. He also registered a career-long 36-yd. recept.
S ERIC REID
- Registered a career-high 13 tackles at Sea. (11/22/15).
- Recorded 3 tackles and a career-long 73-yd. INT return at Sea. (12/14/14).