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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has suffered a rib injury and now the NFC West is really starting to look good for the San Francisco 49ers, who find themselves in an enviable position at 2-0. They play in Minnesota this coming weekend as a +7 underdog at Sportsbetting.com.
With Hasselbeck not expected to play during Week 3, Seattle looks like they may suffer the same fate as last season. Arizona looked improved this week but they lost to the 49ers at home during Week 1.
Now it's time to start looking at the NFC West betting odds. Coming into the 2009 regular season, the 49ers were listed around +250 odds to win the NFC West. Expect the 49ers to have odds closer to even when the new numbers are released Tuesday.
Seattle was a darling of prognosticators heading into this season and, following their Week 1 dismantling of St. Louis, it looked as if they may have been right. But Seattle not only lost to San Francisco, they also lost their quarterback for an indefinite period of time.
Medical tests have determined that Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who took a hard hit in the first half of Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers, has a fractured rib.
Seattle coach Jim Mora said the Seahawks have to prepare as though they won't have Hasselbeck for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears.
Backup Seneca Wallace would play if Seattle's three-time Pro Bowl quarterback can't go. Wallace finished the game on Sunday. Hasselbeck was hit hard in the back by Patrick Willis near the goal line during the first half of the Seahawks' 23-10 loss. The Seahawks are encouraged that the injury was not more severe, a league source said. Nevertheless, this is the same injury that has claimed Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb for what looks to be at least two games.
San Francisco could get a major boost in the NFC West race this weekend with a win in Minnesota. The 49ers are now 8-2 in their last 10 games dating back to last season.
Frank Gore had touchdown runs of 79 and 80 yards. Since 1940, the only other player to have multiple touchdown runs of more than 75 yards was Barry Sanders in 1997.
Gore finished with 207 yards rushing, the second-highest total in 49ers history. He ran for 212 yards in 2006, also against Seattle.
The 49ers' defense was dominant again this week, handing former 49ers defensive coordinator Mora his first loss since taking over this season for Mike Holmgren.
Minnesota has had its way with San Francisco over the last 4 games dating back to 1999. In 2007, the last game in this series, Minnesota beat the 49ers on the road by a whopping 20 points. San Francisco is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota.
The San Francisco 49ers are 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games and 6-2 at home in their last 8.
You can bet on the San Francisco 49ers at Sportsbetting.com. Be sure to check out all the future betting options on the 49ers.
Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com
