Seahawks vs. 49ers 2012: Game preview, kickoff time, TV schedule and more

Coming off back-to-back wins and now tied for first place in the division, the Seattle Seahawks will be back on the road this week as they face the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday.

The Seahawks are fresh off a come-from-behind 24-23 victory against the New England Patriots and will be looking for their first win in the NFC West. Seattle is 0-2 in division games this season, both of which were played on the road. At 4-2, the Seahawks are currently tied with the Arizona Cardinals and 49ers for the NFC West lead.

Thursday's game will be a battle of two of the best defenses in the NFL. Seattle is second in the league in points per game allowed, at 15.5, while San Francisco is third, allowing 15.7 points per game. Both defenses are also near the top of the league in fewest yards allowed, with the 49ers leading the league at 275.8 yards per game and Seattle in fourth with 294.7.

In addition to stout defenses, both teams also feature strong running games. San Francisco leads the NFL in rushing yards per game, while Seattle is seventh. Seattle's Marshawn Lynch is third in the NFL with 549 rushing yards, and San Francisco's Frank Gore is eighth with 470 rushing yards.

Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson is coming off his best game of the season, setting career-highs with 293 yards and three touchdown passes against the Patriots. He will face possibly his toughest test of the season on Sunday, as San Francisco allows the second-fewest passing yards per game.

The matchup has been fairly even recently, with the teams splitting their last 10 meetings. San Francisco did win both games last season. Seattle opened the game as a nine-point underdog, a position that might suit them well. Seattle is 4-0 in games it opened as an underdog this season, compared to 0-2 as the favorite.

Game Date/Time: Thursday, Oct. 18, 8:20 p.m. ET

Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, Calif.

TV Schedule: National: NFL Network