Sunday Night Football: 49ers vs. Seahawks

Tonight, it's about two team who have contributed to the rise of the NFC West. One team is marked by talent at every level, while the other is growing into the skin of a winner with a rookie quarterback - Russell Wilson. Both teams feature stifling defenses that have ranked in the top four of five in the NFL all season. The 49ers offense has a second year quarterback who's trying to make a statement of his own. Colin Kaepernick replaced a healthy Alex Smith a few weeks ago in a mildly controversial move by head coach Jim Harbaugh. It was a huge gamble by Harbaugh with his team going down the stretch toward the playoffs.

The story of the year in the NFC West has to be Russell Wilson. Seattle fans were outraged when head coach Pete Carroll announced Wilson had won the starting job prior to the start of the 2012 season. Showing he could handle a steep learning curve, Wilson has slowly acclimated himself to playing the most scrutinized position in all professional sports.

The game between the 49ers and Seahawks will feature hard-nosed running attacks, interspersed with passing games set up by play action. Keep your eyes fixed squarely on Marshawn Lynch. If the 49ers stop Lynch, they'll win this game going away. If they can't, and the Seahawks break out on top, the 49ers could lose this one. This will be an incredibly physical match up.

*** On a side note, with Christmas coming ever closer, the Turf Show Times crew would like to wish you all the very best - and safest - Holidays for you and your families.***