It's been nine months since Richard Sherman tipped Colin Kaepernick's end zone pass into the waiting arms of Malcolm Smith to send the eventual champs to the Super Bowl. Both San Francisco and Seattle are coming into week 13 with their fair share of problems, identical records, and both battling for a playoff spot. 

While the 49ers barely escaped a three-win Washington team, the Seahawks are coming off their most complete game since week 1, beating the NFC West leading Cardinals and inching closer to catching up in the playoff race. The Seattle/San Francisco rivalry has become one of the fiercest in the NFL and a primetime nationally televised Thanksgiving matchup is truly something to be thankful for.

In week 12, Seattle showed that to be the champs, you have to beat the champs - something Arizona failed to do. Seattle's rush defense held Arizona to just 64 total yards on the ground, with an average of 3.2 yards per carry. In fact, opponents are averaging just 3.6 yards per carry against a stout Seattle run defense.

The 49ers have been struggling on offense, coming into this game with the 23rd ranked passing offense with an average of 218.0 yards per game.  Unfortunately for San Francisco, Seattle’s pass defense is ranked third in the league, sixth in run defense, and third in total yards allowed per game.  The Seahawks D found their swagger last week against the Cardinals and only allowed three points.  Three.  Yeah, it was at home but this defense is on their way up and it couldn’t come at a better time in the season. 

On the other side of the defensive ball, the 49ers have the second-ranked defense in total yards per game, seventh against the run, and second against the pass.  It comes as no surprise that Seattle and San Francisco are neck and neck in defensive rankings.  Both teams need to win this game to keep playoff hopes alive, and defense will be the deciding factor in who will come out on top.

According to head coach, Pete Carroll, offensive James Carpenter was ready to play on Sunday, but they kept him out so he could be really ready for San Francisco on Thursday. Having Carpenter back could give the offensive line a boost that they truly need, especially against a heavy San Francisco pass rush.

Speaking of pass rush, the Niners will likely be without NaVorro Bowman again this week, as Jim Harbaugh said he doesn’t expect him to start practicing this week.  Bowman tore two ligaments in his knee against the Seahawks in the NFC Championship game and hasn’t seen the field since.  Unless the Niners decide to activate him by the December 9th deadline, he’ll miss the entire season and remain of the physically unable to perform list.

Safety Eric Reid re-aggravated an ankle injury against Washington, but says he’ll play on Thursday. Tackle Anthony Davis is still suffering from concussion symptoms and his status is unknown for Thursday’s game.

This is the first of two games between the Niners and the Hawks, the next coming in just two weeks.  Both games are going to be crucial for both teams, but the short week won’t be enough for the Niners to fix the offensive struggles.  No matter what happens, we’re all in for a hell of a game to end the Thanksgiving holiday.

It’s going to be a defensive slugfest; a good ol’ fashioned rivalry game of smash-mouth football.  Russell Wilson won’t be passing any peace on and Marshawn will run over the Niners and through the woods to his grandma’s house in Oakland.  San Francisco’s offensive struggles continue and Seattle’s defense prevails.

Seahawks win, 28-26.