Seattle @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 2, 2018 ) San Francisco 16, Seattle 43

The Seattle Seahawks attempt to record their fifth consecutive victory when they host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Seattle's recent hot stretch has placed it in a strong position in the NFC wild-card chase, and the team can clinch a playoff berth this weekend if it defeats the 49ers.

Russell Wilson threw a season-best four touchdown passes as the Seahawks routed the 49ers 43-16 on Dec. 2. San Francisco committed three turnovers to Seattle's zero in that contest to continue a season-long issue that has the team ranked last in the NFL at minus-21 with five takeaways and 26 giveaways. The 49ers are coming off a solid effort as they defeated Denver 20-14 last Sunday to halt their three-game losing streak. Seattle erupted for 18 fourth-quarter points on Monday to defeat Minnesota 21-7 despite Wilson passing for a career-low 72 yards.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Seahawks -3.5. O/U: 44

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (8-5): The defense carried the load in Seattle's latest win as Wilson (29 touchdowns this season) completed just 10-of-20 passes - with the longest being a 14-yarder - in a stale effort. “If you want to be a championship team, you have to find ways to win, even when it doesn’t look pretty,” Wilson told reporters. Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, who returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown in the first meeting with the 49ers, has recorded 107 tackles - his seventh straight campaign with 100 or more.

ABOUT THE 49ERS (3-10): Emerging star George Kittle registered 210 receiving yards against Denver - four shy of Shannon Sharpe's NFL record for a tight end set in 2002 - and now holds the franchise single-season mark for the position with 1,103. "He's a dynamic player," cornerback Richard Sherman told reporters. "I don't think he gets enough credit for how athletic he is. It's very similar to (Travis) Kelce out in Kansas City with how slippery he is. His lateral movement is deceptive, and he has a ton of speed." Nick Mullens threw for a career-best 414 yards against Seattle in the first meeting while defensive end DeForest Buckner posted two of his team-best nine sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Seahawks have won each of the last nine regular-season meetings.

2. Seattle LB Mychal Kendricks (knee) was placed on injured reserve after getting hurt on Monday.

3. San Francisco rookie WR Dante Pettis established season highs of five catches, 129 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting with Seattle.

PREDICTION: Seahawks 35, 49ers 20