NFL Thanksgiving Schedule, Stream & Predictions: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (POLL)
Football fans get a great night game on Thanksgiving as the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers play each other on Thanksgiving Day at 8:30 p.m. EST.
The 49ers and Seahawks have been one of the biggest rivalries in the NFL in recent history. We all remember how last season ended for the 49ers in the NFC Championship game when Seattle's Richard Sherman made the play of the year with an interception-causing tip against Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick, preserving a 23-17 victory.
All-time, the 49ers and Seahawks are 15-15 against each other in the regular season. Latin Post previews the game, predicts who will win and lets you vote in our fan poll:
Seattle Seahawks (7-4)
The defending Super Bowl champions haven't quite been themselves this season, but they're still contenders. Slowly, but quietly, the Seahawks have regained the No. 1 defensive spot from the Detroit Lions. The Seahawks have won four of their last five games, including a crucial victory last week to the division leading Arizona Cardinals.
The Seahawks' "Legion of Boom" pass defense ranks third overall in the league, and their rush defense ranks sixth. Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Byron Maxwell and Richard Sherman are still playing at an elite level. Offensively, the Seahawks have struggled a bit. The Seahawks rank 30th overall in passing yards. Outside of Doug Baldwin, the Seahawks need another receiver to step in this game.
Without Golden Tate, Percy Harvin or Sidney Rice, the Seahawks are struggling to connect on the long ball.
The Seahawks are 2-3 on the road this season.
Even though the Seahawks have struggled with deep ball passing, they have the best rushing attack in the NFL. Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson are averaging a combined 136 rushing yards per game. Pete Carroll has stepped away from the running game at times, but he knows he'll have to pound the ball against the 49ers.
The Seahawks have not beat the 49ers on the road since 2008.
San Francisco 49ers (7-4)
It's been a roller coaster ride for the 49ers this season. From winning streaks and losing streaks to coaching controversies with Jim Harbaugh. The 49ers have won their last three consecutive games, their second three-game win streak of the season.
The 49ers are 3-2 this season playing at Levi's Stadium with their last win coming against the Washington Redskins. With the return of linebacker Aldon Smith, the 49ers now have the No. 2-ranked defense in the league, only behind the Seahawks.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has 15 touchdowns and six interceptions this season with a 92.1 passer rating. Veteran running back Frank Gore has been providing relief all season with a team-leading 684 rushing yards. The 49ers have the far superior receiving targets such as Brandon Lloyd, Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis.
Unfortunately for the 49ers, both Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman will not be playing because of injuries.
Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde will be the two most important players for the 49ers in this game. The Seahawks secondary is as good as it gets, and forcing the ball downfield is just what Seahawks fans want from Kaepernick. Establishing the running game and limiting turnovers would be the perfect formula to defeat the Seahawks at home.
Justin Smith, Ahmad Brooks and Aaron Lynch each have four sacks this season.
Schedule, Where to Watch
The Seahawks and 49ers will play each other on Thursday, Nov. 27 at 8:30 p.m. EST on NBC. The game will be played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. You can view a live game stream here.
Predictions
Both of these teams have appeared in the last two Super Bowls, and this is an intense rivalry. Home field advantage seems to be the deciding factor as the home team has won the last five games. The 49ers know they can't lose this game, and then travel to Seattle in Week 15. The 49ers should win a close low scoring game.
49ers win 20-17
Feel free to vote in our NFL fan poll below
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