These two teams split last season with each team winning on their home field.  If the 49ers are going to make a legit run at the playoffs they need to win games like this one on Sunday no matter where it is played.  Here is a look at the match-ups this Sunday:

When the 49ers have the ball:  The 49ers might surprise the Seahawks and come out throwing the ball a bit, before pounding the ball on the ground with Frank Gore which makes perfect sense.  The Seahawks don’t have much of a pass rush so Alex Smith should have a lot of time to throw the ball.  The Niners would like to get more veritcal with the passing game and they will need improvement out of Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan and Ted Ginn if that is going to work.  TE Vernon Davis is also going to get a lot of work as the Niners want to challenge the Seahawks’ safeties.  But make no mistake, Frank Gore is going to touch the football at least 25 times on Sunday.

When the Seahawks have the football:  The Seahawks have injury issues along the O-Line so look for the Niners to bring the heat early and often against Matt Hasselbeck.  I’m thinking that he’s going to use TE John Carlson a lot so Niners’ safeties Dashon Goldson and Michael Lewis better be ready to deal with him.  The Niners should have little trouble stopping Justin Forsett and Leon Washington when the attempt to run the football.

PREDICTION:  49ERS 27, SEAHAWKS 10