Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers THANKSGIVING DAY: How to Watch, Betting Odds

The Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thanksgiving in a game that could help decide the race for the NFC West crown.

Timm Hamm | Nov 21, 2023

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Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thanksgiving in a game that could help decide the race for the NFC West crown. A three-game skid by San Francisco helped Seattle get back into the battle for the lead of the division. But now, as Thanksgiving approaches, the 49ers have won two straight, and the Seahawks are a full game behind them.

Seattle is optimistic that quarterback Geno Smith - who is dealing with an arm injury - will be able to recover in time for Thursday’s game. But “time” is an issue. And so is “just in case,” as the smart money says that coach Pete Carroll’s bunch - no offense to Drew Lock - will have a steep uphill battle dealing with their NFC West rivals without the centerpiece of their offense.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) after throwing a touchdown pass against the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. — Jaxon Smith-Njigba (L) and Geno Smith / © Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

“They're doing everything they can to work through that (injury),” Carroll said on Monday of Geno and the team’s medical and training staff. “We'll see how it goes.”

The Seahawks offense will need to get back on track after it stalled on Sunday against the Rams, just like it did in the Week 1 loss to the same team. Producing less than 100 total yards and three points in the second half - without an injured Smith for a large portion of the final two frames - they wound up losing a 17-16 decision. A second offensive meltdown in as many games allowed a season sweep by the Rams.

Unfortunately, this latest collapse magnified a chronic problem that has now cost the team in three of their four defeats, including twice against Los Angeles, who has won only two of its other eight games this season.

"We really were controlling the game but still only scored 13 points," a frustrated coach Pete Carroll said after the game. "It felt like we were in really good shape and like one touchdown felt like it's a close game after all that we had done, you know? We need to capitalize and get those touchdowns. You get just one of the two field goal drives."