The Week 14 showdown at Hunters Point turned out to be a nailbiter as anticipated. San Francisco, regardless of Earl Thomas misplaying Frank Gore's 51-yard fourth-quarter run that set up the winning field, was moving the ball with six minutes to go; Phil Dawson, kicking well, likely would have won the game anyway.
The Seahawks were penalized too much. One in particular, when Michael Robinson was called for a facemask, negated a long run by Marshawn Lynch in the second half. Instead of a first down in San Francisco territory, Seattle ended up punting the ball back to the 49ers. Critical mistake.
But all in all I see a silver lining in the Seahawks 17-19 loss to the 49ers. It will focus the team going into New Jersey to play a potentially dangerous playoff-eliminated Giants football team. That game had all the makings for an upset if Seattle had been tipsy from sewing up the division title by beating the 49ers at Candlestick. Now they are sure to be hungry. I am therefore picking the Seahawks over the Giants.
Other big Week 15 games are the 49ers at Tampa. The Buccaneers are not the same team that lost its first eight games. But San Francisco is peaking. Kaeppernick is playing with confidence. A Tampa upset is a possibility, but pick the 49ers.
Another game with the potential to be good is New England at Miami. The Patriots have run an insane string of comebacks together. Winning games consistently by overcoming large margins in the second half builds character. Tom Brady's Patriots could be a team to watch in the playoffs. Gronkowski's season-ending torn ACL and MCL injury does not bode well though. The 2013 New England could be a one and done. We'll see who shows up on Sunday. I would prefer Miami, but I think the Patriots win.
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