49ers vs. Seahawks Picks, Predictions & Odds: How We’re Betting This Pivotal Sunday Night Football Matchup

49ers at Seahawks Picks, Predictions & Betting Odds

• Odds: 49ers -3.5
• Over/Under: 45.5
• Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: NBC

Odds as of Saturday and via DraftKings, where Action Network users get a risk-free bet up to $500.

The NFC West will be decided on Sunday Night Football.

The 49ers and Seahawks close out the regular season with a pivotal divisional showdown with big implications for the NFC playoff picture.

With the stakes in mind, our experts preview the primetime matchup and make their betting pick.

Sunday Night Football Injury Report

Which team is healthier? Seahawks

The Seahawks got a bit healthier and will get Jadeveon Clowney (core) back. They head into this game with only safety Quandre Diggs (ankle) and offensive lineman Ethan Pocic (core) listed as questionable. Diggs didn't practice all week, which typically isn't a great sign.

The 49ers are in rough shape on the defensive side with safety Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) listed as doubtful, while defensive linemen Julian Taylor (knee) and Dee Ford (quad/hamstring) have already been ruled out. — Justin Bailey

Biggest Mismatch

49ers Rush Offense vs. Seahawks Rush Defense

The first time these teams met, San Fran couldn't get anything going on the ground, but that shouldn't be too surprising when you consider that George Kittle didn’t suit up.

The 49ers average 4.6 yards per carry on the season, which ranks ninth in the NFL. That's rock solid, but the splits with vs. without Kittle are drastic:

• Two Games without Kittle: 46 carries for 121 yards (2.6 yards per carry)
• 13 Games with Kittle: 428 carries for 2,056 yards (4.8 yards per carry)

A 4.8-yard average with Kittle would put San Fran in the top-five. Not only is he an excellent run-blocker, he obviously demands the attention over the middle of the field from opposing linebackers and safeties, who can key on the run when Kittle isn't on the field.

The 49ers should have plenty of success on the ground against a Seahawks defense that allows 4.8 yards per carry (28th in NFL).

Plus, the presence of Kittle will obviously help Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers' aerial attack over the middle of the field, which has been a struggle for the Seahawks' coverage unit this season. Surprisingly, Bobby Wagner has given up more yards in coverage than any linebacker since 2003, per Pro Football Focus.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks like to establish the run, which is smart against a 49ers defense that thrives in pass coverage partly due to its elite pass rush that can get after the quarterback without having to blitz. If there's one weakness in the San Fran defense, its defending the run, but Seattle is depleted at running back and will have to rely on Travis Homer and/or Marshawn Lynch, who just joined the team fresh off the street — not ideal against a San Fran defense that thrives in passing situations.

As a result, the 49ers should have more sustaining drives. — Stuckey

PRO System Match

Unders have been a smart play in division matchups, going 843-744-29 (53.1%) since 2003, as increased familiarity between teams creates a lower-scoring environment.

It may seem obvious to some bettors, but it's been more profitable to take the under in division games with high totals (more than 44 points) — it's just easier for unders to cash when more points are expected to be scored.

Following this Pro System, bettors have gone 195-114-3 (63.1%) since 2003. A $100 bettor would have returned a profit of $7,135 following this strategy.

End your regular season with a win, bet the under. — John Ewing

PRO Systems are data-driven betting strategies that turn winning long-term trends into easy-to-follow picks, all handpicked and monitored by our team of analysts. Try Action PRO now and instantly access real-time game matches for every PRO System.

Expert Pick

Sean Koerner: Seahawks +3.5

The Seahawks come into this high-stakes game incredibly thin at running back. They recently lost Rashaad Penny to IR then Chris Carson (and even C.J. Prosise) just last week, forcing them to bring back Lynch and Turbin.

The loss of Carson hurts, but it would be unwise for the market to make this cluster injury worth more than one point. It's all going to fall on Russell Wilson’s shoulders, and as the likely MVP runner-up, he should be up to the task.

The market is all over the 49ers with 65% of the tickets and 75% of the money backing San Francisco as road a favorite at a critical number of -3.5 (see live public betting data here). I think the market has opened up a great value opportunity getting Wilson as a home dog. He's only been one seven times over his career and he's 6-1 against the spread.

With Clowney expected to play, I'll lock Seahawks +3.5 in as my play of the week.

Koerner is 173-128-3 (57.5%) overall betting on the NFL. You can follow him in our free app.