The San Francisco 49ers have a huge opportunity to take control of the NFC West on Thanksgiving night in their primetime clash with the Seattle Seahawks.

San Francisco leads the NFC West at 7-3, but the Seahawks are only a game behind at 6-4 heading into a critical stretch of the 49ers' season that sees them face the Seahawks twice either side of an NFC Championship Game rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The overriding expectation is that the 49ers will make light work of what was previously a daunting trip for them in years gone by. However, given their history with the Seahawks, the 49ers will take nothing for granted.

San Francisco 49ers (7-3) at Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
Date: Thursday, November 23
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Lumen Field/Seattle, WA
Betting odds: 49ers -7.5, Over/Under 43
How to watch on TV: NBC
Streaming: FuboTV, YouTube TV, Network apps, etc.
Radio: KNBR 680 AM / 104.5 FM, 107.7 FM “The Bone" / SacTown Sports 1140AM

Can Purdy pass the test?

There are many other compelling questions surrounding this game but, ultimately, it is 49ers quarterback Purdy who will dictate the narrative.

He leads the NFL in almost every quarterback metric and last week posted a perfect passer rating in the 49ers' win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, joining Steve Young and Joe Montana as only the third San Francisco quarterback to do so.

Yet his performances remain the subject of endless debate and, even though he won in Seattle to clinch the division in his first road start last year, many will see his performance in a hostile road environment as another referendum on a polarizing player. Recent performances suggest he will rise to the challenge and put Seattle to the sword.

Will Aaron Banks play?

But Purdy could be hamstrung by injuries to players on the interior of the offensive line.

Starting right guard Spencer Burford looks very unlikely to play after missing the week of practice with a knee injury while starting left guard Aaron Banks returned to practice in a limited capacity this week after missing the last two games with turf toe.

The 49ers elevated a pair of interior linemen, Jesse Davis and Corey Luciano, from the practice squad for the game, suggesting both Burford and Banks could miss out and force either Davis or Luciano to step in and man the right guard spot with veteran backup Jon Feliciano staying on the left.

Though the 49ers beat the Seahawks three times last season, there are a plenty on the roster with painful memories of Seattle managing to find key equalizers in matchups prior to 2022. San Francisco needs to make sure its patchwork interior offensive line does not turn into such a leveler.

3 players to watch

• WR Brandon Aiyuk: Aiyuk went for a career-high 156 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Bucs. He has blossomed into a complete number one wideout, and he may start to get more widespread acclaim with another prolific showing against a strong Seahawks secondary on the national stage.
• DE Chase Young: Young was a terror as the 49ers racked up 38 pressures of Baker Mayfield last Sunday. Winning consistently against Tristan Wirfs and doing an excellent job setting the edge in the run game, Young is quickly making the 49ers' trade for him look like a steal, and he and Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa should wreak havoc against a Seahawks O-Line set to be without right tackle Abe Lucas.
• S Ji'Ayir Brown: Catapulted into the starting lineup by Talanoa Hufanga's knee injury, the 49ers' rookie safety made several crucial plays against the Bucs to close out Tampa Bay, including the game-sealing pick. Now he needs to prove he can stand up to a longer and more concerted test in his first start.

More 49ers news ahead of the game

• Seven 49ers to watch vs. Seahawks
• Brock Purdy's latest accolade a great omen for 49ers' Super Bowl hopes

George Kittle is once again the NFL’s top tight end

He has plenty of reasons to smile.