The NFL season finale of “Sunday Night Football” (8:20 p.m., NBC) is must-see TV as the San Francisco 49ers (12-3) visit the Seattle Seahawks (11-4) for the NFC West title.
The 49ers, who also are trying to clinch home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs, opened as one-point road favorites. The line has now crossed the key number of 3 and we feel the value has flipped to the Seahawks as 3 ¹/₂-point home underdogs for our VSiN Top Play.
There’s been a lot of talk about the rash of injuries in Seattle, especially in the offensive backfield. However, Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch is back to help the running game, but even though Pete Carroll loves to establish the run, this is more of a passing team these days with QB Russell Wilson spreading the ball around to his receivers. In addition, the defense welcomes back a beast of its own in pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who missed the past two games, in addition to LB Mychal Kendricks and CB Shaquill Griffin.
I also like the fact the Seahawks won the first meeting in Santa Clara, 27-24 in overtime, as they outrushed and outpassed the 49ers and the defense sacked Jimmy Garoppolo five times. I feel the Seahawks match up very well with the 49ers, and now — even though the Seahawks lost to the Cardinals last week at home — get the 49ers in Seattle, which is still a very tough place to go in and win.
Finally, just like last week when I liked the Eagles over the Cowboys because of their (recent) championship pedigree and coaching edge, I trust Carroll and the Seahawks’ experienced players more in crunch time than 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and his team. Besides, if it comes down to FGs at the end like the first meeting, it’s nice to be getting +3¹/₂.
The play: Seahawks +3¹/₂.



