NFL Playoffs: City Of Champions Picks Conference Championship Games

December 8, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive back Eric Wright (30) intercepts the football intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers (13-4) at Seattle Seahawks (14-3), 6:30 p.m. Sunday on FOX

Shetler: I know I’m taking two road teams here and the chances of that happening are slim, but I really like the 49ers even though Seattle is a very tough place to play. Their offense will do enough to put points on the board against a very tough Seahawks defense and I really like the way the San Francisco defense has been playing. They haven’t given up more than 24 points since Week 3 and are coming off three straight road wins in which they held the Cardinals and Packers to 20 points each and allowed only 10 last week to the Panthers. I’m taking the Niners in a nail biter. 49ers 24, Seahawks 20. 

Weiss: This will be a defensive struggle, but I just see Russell Wilson rising to the occasion. Although the 49ers come in as the hot team and those are the ones that usually make it to the big game, I just feel as though the Seahawks will pass this test. Seahawks 20, 49ers 10.

Snyder: Colin Kaepernick has been playing well of late, but in his last two trips to Seattle, he has lost by a combined score of 71-16. I think Russell Wilson does just enough to get the win. Seahawks 21, 49ers 20.

Gajtka: The home team has won the past four matchups in the series between these contentious NFC West rivals, but I see that trend coming to an end Sunday afternoon. There will be plenty of talking from both sides, although the visiting 49ers will be able to stifle the Seattle offense, which has stumbled recently. The 49ers are a little stronger in all facets, which will overcome the rabid ‘Hawks partisans. 49ers 30, Seahawks 21.

Tunno: A 49ers’ repeat entry into the Super Bowl is denied by the Seahawks defense and an extremely loud crowd. This matchup
will be a closer one than the last two in Seattle, but Kaepernick has a few costly turnovers, setting up Wilson and Marshawn Lynch for one or two easy scores. Seahawks 24, 49ers 20.

McDowell: Kaepernick will have to be incredible to beat the Seattle defense and the fans at CenturyLink Field. Wilson and Lynch will combine to outlast the 49ers defense. Seahawks 24, 49ers 21.

Staff Total: Seahawks 4-2