Seahawks vs. 49ers predictions: NFL picks, props, odds

For the first time in what feels like forever, two legitimate playoff contenders will take center stage on Thursday when the Seahawks host the 49ers in what could decide the NFC West race.

Even with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy leading the way for the visitors, it’s clear San Francisco boasts a higher concentration of star power on its side — which makes for some appealing prop plays. Here are three of our favorite bets to make at BetMGM ahead of “Thursday Night Football” at 8:15 p.m. ET:

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Geno Smith over 0.5 interceptions thrown (-145, BetMGM)

After opening the season with an MVP-like run for the Seahawks, Smith is still producing gaudy box score numbers week in and week out. But he’s been plagued by the turnover bug over the back half of the season, and it won’t get any easier Thursday.

The longtime veteran threw just two interceptions in his first six starts — one against the 49ers in Week 2, and one on a desperation heave at the end of the Falcons loss in Week 3. He hasn’t been so careful since then, tossing at least one pick in five of his past seven starts after last week’s two-INT effort against the lowly Panthers.

He’ll have his work cut out for him this week against San Francisco’s defense, which is tied for the second-most interceptions (14) in the league and forced Tua Tagovailoa (two INTs) and Tom Brady (two INTs) into sloppy showings over the past two weeks. I don’t expect Smith to fare much better.

Betting on the NFL?

Christian McCaffrey over 79.5 rushing yards (-110, BetMGM) 

A week after the Panthers ran all over the Seahawks’ defense without McCaffrey, Seattle has the luxury of facing the former Carolina star just four days later. And it could get ugly for the home side.

McCaffrey is finally settling into a featured role with the 49ers, seeing at least 70 percent of his team’s snaps in consecutive weeks for the first time since they acquired him in Week 7. He made the most of it last week against the Buccaneers, turning 14 carries into a season-high 119 yards in a true breakout performance for the former All-Pro rusher.

He’s got to be salivating at the matchup against this Seattle front, which ranks 26th in DVOA rushing defense and sits in the bottom five in rushing yards allowed per game (160.5) and per carry (4.9). McCaffrey is averaging 106 rushing yards in his career against the ’Hawks and should have plenty of opportunities to pile up yardage in this one.

Brandon Aiyuk over 50.5 receiving yards (-120, BetMGM)

The loss of superstar Deebo Samuel (knee, ankle) is a critical blow to this 49ers offense that was starting to get in a rhythm with Purdy under center. It also serves as a crucial opportunity for Aiyuk to re-assert himself as this team’s clear No. 1 receiving option.

The third-year wideout has been a model of consistency this year, finishing with at least 50 receiving yards in seven of his past nine games — which doesn’t include a 46-yard effort in Purdy’s first game action. He was up to 57 yards last week in Purdy’s first debut despite an unusually low snap share (78 percent).

He’s played at least 87 percent of his team’s snaps in all but two games this year, and he should be back to the upper 90s with Samuel sidelined. The Seahawks allowed Aiyuk to get free for five catches and 63 yards when these teams faced off in Week 2, and I’d wager that Aiyuk far surpasses that yardage total as a primary target on Thursday.