Seattle Seahawks (7-4) at San Francisco 49ers (7-4)

Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET, at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif. – TV: NBC

*TV announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya

*Keys to the game: There is nothing pretty about the Seahawks’ offense, which is fitting for this intensely physical rivalry. QB Russell Wilson was sacked seven times by Arizona last week and if RB Marshawn Lynch doesn’t get rolling early, Wilson can again expect to be freewheeling it with his feet to move the chains. San Francisco’s defense enjoys a significant advantage in the trenches, and Seattle will attempt to counter the aggressive front seven with a variety of read-option runs and screen passes to the backs and tight ends looking to pop a big play off a lost containment.

San Francisco’s recent victories have been equally ugly, with QB Colin Kaepernick managing was has reverted to a run-first offense. In a game likely to be dictated by field position, look for the 49ers to attack the middle of the Seahawks’ defense sorely missing DT Brandon Mebane. The return of MLB Bobby Wagner provided a big boost against the Cardinals, however, and Wagner will also figure heavily into the coverage of TE Vernon Davis, who has largely disappeared from the game plan.

*Matchup to watch – Seahawks CB Richard Sherman vs. 49ers WR Michael Crabtree: The long-awaited rematch between the Madden cover boy and his self-labeled “mediocre” counterpart, Crabtree. Kaepernick has not shied away from his man-to-man matchup in the past, but that bravado may have cost the 49ers a return trip to the Super Bowl last year. Sherman’s coverage isn’t impenetrable, but Crabtree has also complained about his role in the offense and doesn’t have more than five receptions in a game since Week 3.

*Player spotlight – Seahawks LG James Carpenter: Carpenter unsuccessfully lobbied to return from his ankle injury last Sunday in part because the team wanted him available on the short turnaround. Replacement Alvin Bailey was targeted by the Cardinals along with reserve C Patrick Lewis, but Carpenter provides a significant run blocking upgrade off the left side.

*Fast facts: Lynch has 600 rushing yards in the past six meetings with 8 total TDs. … The 49ers are 3-2 at home, with all three victories coming by five points or less and both losses coming to teams with losing records. … Kaepernick has thrown a touchdown in 18 consecutive games, tying Steve Young’s franchise record.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Thursday night games are always tough on the road team, and this is arguably the most physical rivalry in the NFL currently. But these teams know each other extremely well, and both sides are as healthy as they have been all season. With hairs separating them across the board in a de facto elimination game in the NFC West, the Seahawks get the job done with Wilson’s ability to create more against the 49ers’ secondary.

*Our pick: Seahawks 19-16