When Mike Macdonald was hired as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, there were plenty of questions about his youth and resume.
Macdonald, now age 38, made his name under the Harbaugh coaching tree. He started as a defensive assistant under John Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens before serving a season as defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh at the University of Michigan. In 2022, he returned to John and the Ravens as defensive coordinator.
Since Macdonald left the Ravens, their defense has been in shambles. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have been renewed with Macdonald’s smarts and leadership.
Like Macdonald, quarterback Sam Darnold arrived from the Minnesota Vikings facing doubts.
Darnold is confounding his critics by leading the Seahawks to the NFC Playoffs, after doing the same last year for the Minnesota Vikings, who are now floundering without him.
On Saturday night, the Seahawks will visit the San Francisco 49ers in a game with massive NFC West, playoff, and seeding implications.
Seahawks at 49ers Preview
On Saturday, January 3, 2026, the San Francisco 49ers will host the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET, with television coverage on ABC.
Public Betting Odds Factors
- The 49ers are a strong public brand, especially at home.
- San Francisco’s status as a legacy franchise often raises its prices into overlays, especially at home.
- Seattle is not as popular as San Francisco, and that serves to enhance its value.
- The Seahawks have been one of the most profitable teams against the NFL spread this season.
Seahawks at 49ers Predictions
Handicapping Factors to Consider
- Seattle has the balance to make for a strong value as a road dog.
- The Seahawks are one of the most fundamentally sound teams in the NFL.
- San Francisco could be in a letdown spot after its shootout win on Sunday Night Football against the Chicago Bears.
- The Seahawks have the better defense in this matchup and are comparable to the 49ers' offense.
- In an even game, taking the points always makes sense.
Seahawks vs. 49ers Prime Best Bet: Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks at 49ers Betting Tips
- San Francisco opened as a 1.5-point favorite and Seattle a +1.5 dog.
- San Francisco opened at -108 on the moneyline with Seattle also at -108.
- The Seahawks and 49ers opened with a total of 49.5.
Seattle Seahawks
- Seattle ranks 10th for total offense, 10th for passing, 17th for rushing, 2nd for scoring, and 31st for fewest turnovers committed.
- Seattle ranks 4th for total defense, 10th vs. the pass, 2nd vs. the rush, 2nd for fewest points allowed, and 5th for takeaways.
- Last game, Seattle won 27-10 against the Carolina Panthers as 6.5-point road favorites. The game went over the total of 43.
- Seattle is 13-3 straight up, 11-5 against the spread, and 9-7 over/under the total.
- Seattle has covered three out of its most recent five games.
- Seattle went under the total in two of its last three matchups.
San Francisco 49ers
- San Francisco ranks 8th for total offense, 4th for passing, 23rd for rushing, 8th for scoring, and 23rd for fewest turnovers committed.
- San Francisco ranks 19th for total defense, 25th vs. the pass, 6th vs. the rush, 13th for fewest points allowed, and 30th for takeaways.
- Last game, San Francisco won 42-38 against the Chicago Bears as 4.5-point home favorites.
- The game went over the total of 51.5.
- San Francisco is 12-4 straight up, 10-6 against the spread, and 10-5 over/under the total.
- San Francisco has covered five out of its most recent six games.
- San Francisco went over the total in three of its last three matchups.
Seahawks at 49ers Head-to-Head and Key Stats
- Seattle covered the spread in 11 of its most recent 15 games
- Seattle got the money in seven of its last eight road games.
- Seattle is riding a 6-game straight up winning streak.
- San Francisco is 8-12 against the spread at home.
- Seattle covered the spread in its last two visits to San Francisco.
- Four of the last five games between the Seahawks and 49ers at San Francisco went under the total.
