2020 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 17

Seattle Seahawks (11-4) at San Francisco 49ers (6-9)

Sunday, January 3, 4:25PM ET

Believe it or not, this matchup can determine quite a bit in the NFC playoff picture. Things stay as they are if the Seahawks manage to trip up against the San Francisco 49ers. However, a world of possibilities opens if Seattle gets the win and improves to 12-4.

If the Seahawks and Saints win but the Packers lose, the Saints and Seahawks both move up a spot. If the Seahawks are the only team of the three to win, then they could jump all the way to the top of the conference. That should be more than enough to motivate Pete Carroll and Co. to walk away from this one victorious.

They’ve got the talent to get the job done. Russell Wilson and D.K. Metcalf should do work against the San Francisco defense, while the Seattle defense is more than up to the task of shutting down C.J. Beathard and the 49er running game. That equals a win, especially if the Seattle defense continues to improve as it has during the second half of the season.

The Seahawks have already clinched the division, but need this win if they want to improve their spot in the seeding. While the 49ers would love to crash the party and send Seattle home with a loss, I don’t see that happening.

Prediction: Seahawks win 26-13