49ers vs. Seahawks staff predictions: We’re all drinking the Niners Kool-Aid

One of the greatest rivalries in the NFL takes place tonight as the San Francisco 49ers travel to Seattle to take on the Seattle Seahawks . This game is quite meaningful for the NFC West and playoff standings.

Here are our staff predictions.

Kyle - 49ers 28, Seahawks 17 Don’t look now, but Steve Wilks has gotten his defense to turn the corner, and that was before Chase Young was on the roster. Since Week 5, the 49ers are allowing the second-fewest points in the NFL.

When you watch Seattle’s offense, they’re a bit clunky. They are young along the offensive line, and their quarterback turns into “Check down Charlie” when there’s pressure. Only two quarterbacks in the NFL have a lower yards per attempt when pressured than Geno Smith: Bryce Young and Zach Wilson.

That does not bode well against a 49ers defense who is starting to play to their talent level. We all know about Nick Bosa and Javon Hargrave, but Arik Armstead pressured Baker Mayfield on ten separate occasions last Sunday.

Then, on the other side of the ball, the Seahawks have regressed to the mean after a hot start. But when they’ve played an offense with a pulse, like the Lions and Ravens, Seattle has surrendered over 30 points.

This may not be a spot where the 49ers reach 30, but you’re betting against recent history if you believe Brock Purdy and company will score fewer than 30 points, and that’s either home or away.

I like Deebo Samuel to have a big day and Ji’Ayir Brown shakes the narrative that the 49ers lack depth in the secondary and comes up with his second interception in as many games. The Seahawks will hit on a couple of big plays, but won’t be able to keep pace with the Niners potent passing attack.

Pat - 49ers 31, Seahawks 17 On paper, this should be over quickly. The Seahawks struggled against a Washington Commanders team that traded their defense away for more draft prospects and took three quarters of a game off against the Baltimore Ravens . There has been nothing shown this year that shows the Seahawks are on the level of the 49ers.

But this is a Seattle game, in Seattle, and we all know the weirdness that comes with these. I will not be at all surprised if this turns into a close defensive game with someone coming out late.

The one thing that scares me is the Seattle pass game against a rookie safety in Ji’Ayir Brown. You know they are going to send things into his zip code even if he’s not the main coverage on the play. With any luck, the 49ers can get to Geno Smith (and maybe Drew Lock?) before DK Metcalf can get involved. If they can shut down the pass game before it starts and get themselves out to an early lead, this can be over.

Brock Purdy has not lost to the Seahawks yet, and I don’t see how he does it here. I’d absolutely love another high passer rating to turn the haters into a frenzy, and I’d also love him to eat a turkey, roast marshmallows and sing Kumbaya over a fire on the Seahawks seal. It only repays the kindness they showed the 49ers years ago.

Rohan - 49ers 27, Seahawks 14

Rivalry games always have an added flair, but the 49ers just seem to match well with the Seahawks when you compare the roster.

The Seahawks' offense hasn’t changed tremendously from the matchups last season, while it doesn’t seem like top running back Kenneth Walker will suit up for Seattle after being listed as doubtful. I expect the Seahawks to try and get the ball out of Geno Smith’s hands quickly and play the space game against the 49ers, but I don’t see them generating enough success with that strategy to pull off the upset.

You can expect a few chunk plays allowed defensively, hence the 14 points, but I think Steve Wilks’s unit continues their second half success, bolstered by their elite defensive line, leading to a comfortable victory.

Seattle’s front four cannot go unnoticed either, as second-year outside linebacker Boye Mafe is breaking out with seven sacks, while Jarran Reed makes for a good centerpiece at defensive tackle. But, the 49ers will likely get the ball out of Brock Purdy’s hands quickly, and I don’t think Seattle is the defense to stop San Francisco’s surging offense. 49ers win 27-14.

Jason - 49ers 31, Seahawks 17

My football heart and mind tell me the 49ers are the superior group. They are. There is a feeling of uneasiness that comes with any prediction against Seattle, realistically Seattle coached by Pete Carroll.

Seattle has allowed a ton on the ground lately and the 49ers run game and offense has been clicking lately. Brock Purdy went into Seattle last season with a rib injury and clinched the NFC West title. Purdy is playing the best football of his career. That will continue on Thanksgiving.

Ji’Ayir Brown is getting his first NFL start in a critical matchup in Seattle. Expecting a few rookie moments is smart, but Brown is more than ready to step into his spot. Tig’s skill set is similar to Hufanga and his start to his career had moments of shakiness at times. The team will prepare for his first start. You can bet Seattle will test him.

The 49ers are the better team. It’s time to start a string of dominance for the 49ers against Seattle, for once. The 49ers win and start to get into Seattle’s heads by eating turkey midfield on Thanksgiving.

Andrew - 49ers 27, Seahawks 10

I would fear Seattle more if it opted to wear its 1990s uniforms on Thursday night instead of the neon greens. The Seahawks blue jerseys against the 49ers wearing its 1994 all-white uniforms would have been a nice aesthetic to end Thanksgiving.

Instead, Seattle will wear the same jersey it wore when Brock Purdy beat the Seahawks last season on a Thursday with a pair of touchdowns and some broken ribs. The 49ers’ quarterback has been in good form and there’s no reason it shouldn’t continue against a team Purdy threw for over 500 yards with five touchdowns in two games last year.

Purdy will throw for over 300 yards again and the defense will continue its dominance by forcing at least two turnovers and sacking Geno Smith - or Drew Lock, maybe? - four times.

Although, the funniest way to get to 27 would be nine Jake Moody field goals, leaving NBC no choice but to name the kicker its player of the game. The broadcast would end with Moody eating a turkey leg at midfield at Lumen Field.