Make The 49ers Your NFL Betting Pick

Heading into this weekend’s football betting, expectations have never been higher in San Francisco.

Can the 49ers take down the NFC West title in 2010? We’ll start to find out the answer to that question as they visit Seattle to take on the Seahawks Sunday afternoon.

Sunday, September 12- 4:15 p.m. FOX, Live from Qwest Field, Seattle, WAH

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San Francisco 49ers (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) at Seattle Seahawks (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)

NFL Betting Odds:

San Francisco: -3

Seattle: +3

Total Points: 37

With Seattle re-building, Arizona re-tooling and St. Louis just plain awful, many believe that the 49ers are not only the favorites in this division, but also could make a run at the Super Bowl. For that to happen, they’ll need strong play out of their running game, starting Sunday afternoon.

The 49ers best offensive weapon, is- and will continue to be- running back Frank Gore. Now a veteran at the age of 27, the former University of Miami back has gone over 1,000 yards four straight seasons. Last year Gore had his best per carry average (4.9 yards) in three seasons, finishing with 1,120 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The bruising back is as good a reason as any, to take the 49ers in your football betting picks.

Not to be outdone, San Francisco should be improved in the passing game this year as well. But for that to happen, they’ll need quarterback Alex Smith to be better. Last season it took awhile for Smith to earn the starting role, and once there, finished with 18 touchdowns, but also 12 interceptions.

This year he’ll again have tight end Vernon Davis (78 catches, 13 touchdowns) and receiver Michael Crabtree for a full season, after the second year player sat out the beginning of 2009 in a contract dispute. There are no excuses for Smith not to be better than he was late last season.

As for Seattle, they come into 2010 as an underdog in the football betting picks, and with good reason. We really don’t know much about them.

Under center, it appears as though veteran Matt Hasselbeck will get the call. The 34-year-old is talented, but has been injury plagued throughout the years, and has missed 11 games over the last two seasons. Last year he played in 14, totaling over 3,000 yards. Unfortunately, his 17 touchdown passes were also equaled by 17 interceptions. Justin Forsett is expected to carry the workload out of the backfield.

In regards to the outcome of this game, there’s only one team to take in the NFL betting: The 49ers.

We know the pick is boring and cliché, but looking at these two teams, there is no doubt that there is just much more talent in San Francisco. We already mentioned all the offensive firepower, but this defense is talented too, led by tackling machine and perennial All-Pro Patrick Willis.

Seattle on the other hand, seems content to use this year to blow up their team, and rebuild from scratch. It’s important to note that additionally, the Seahawks recently released T.J. Houshmandzadeh, last year’s leading wide receiver. Seattle will be back in time, but 2010 could be a struggle.

If the 49ers are to make a serious push at a division title, it’ll have to start this Sunday on the road at Qwest Field.

They’ll do exactly that, with a comfortable cover in the football wagering. Get your pick in now!

The Pick: San Francisco -3