Seahawks :(
Date: Nov 20th, 2006 5:03:00 pm - Subscribe
Mood: irritated
Start with one overconfident team. Blend in one inspired team. Sprinkle in three interceptions. Now, pound repeatedly for 212 rushing yards.
The 49ers, who won four games last season, rolled to their third consecutive victory and pulled to .500 this late in the season for the first time since 2002.
Frank Gore rambled for the third-highest rushing total the Seahawks have ever allowed. Three turnovers -- including two Seneca Wallace picks -- helped propel the 49ers to a 20-0 halftime lead.
The Seahawks are now 6-4 and clinging to a one-game lead in the NFC West.
"I'm disappointed in our energy, our tempo," coach Mike Holmgren said.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Gore. In the past two games, the second-year back has rushed for 371 yards; he had 608 total last year.
Sunday, 144 of his 212 yards came on four carries, though the Seahawks somehow kept him out of the end zone.
Gore's 51-yard dash in the first quarter set up a field goal. He had 23- and 20-yarders on a drive culminating with a touchdown pass by Alex Smith. Gore's 50-yarder in the third quarter should have set up another field goal, but the Seahawks' Craig Terrill blocked the kick.
All this from a guy who left the Lions game last week with a concussion and practiced only one day last week.
PLAYS OF THE GAME
Offense. Gore's 51-yarder, for its symbolism as much as its effectiveness. Cornerback Kelly Herndon whiffed at the line of scrimmage, strong safety Jordan Babineaux missed, and it took an all-out effort by cornerback Marcus Trufant to probably prevent a TD.
Defense. The Seahawks had chances to score a late TD and steal the game. One came with less than two minutes to play, when linebacker Lofa Tatupu forced a Gore fumble and defensive end Grant Wistrom recovered at the Hawks' 35. Rather than capitalize, Wallace threw his third pick two plays later.
Special teams. Staying with plays the Hawks didn't capitalize on, Terrill blocked a 30-yard field goal try in the third quarter to prevent the 49ers from stretching their lead to 23-7. Rather than cash in, the Seahawks cashed out with five plays that generated 15 yards.
INJURY REPORT
The Seahawks did not suffer any new injuries, Holmgren said, but they played without three offensive starters: quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (sprained knee), center Robbie Tobeck (recovering from the flu), right tackle Sean Locklear (sprained ankle) and wide receiver Bobby Engram (thyroid condition), the team's leading receiver last season.
Hasselbeck was in uniform as the inactive third QB. Holmgren said he still lacks the mobility because of the knee injury that has now caused him to miss four games. Tobeck also was in uniform, but would have been used only if Chris Spencer had been injured.
THE LAST WORD
"It felt good -- a team like Seattle, who went to the Super Bowl and is No. 1 in our division. We manhandled them in the first half." -- 49ers WR Arnaz Battle
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