Game Capsules

By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer

Editor’s Note: The following is written for RotoWire’s weekly “game capsules;” I cover the NFC home games.

San Francisco (+10) at Seattle, Thursday 8 p.m.

Comments: If the past two Thursday night contests were any indication, it’s going to be extremely tough for the road team during such a short week. With a squad struggling as much as the 49ers facing a team that is 15-1 at home over the last two years, that trend should continue. After winning three straight, San Francisco has now dropped its last three games, including a disappointing home loss to the Packers last week in which its defense gave up 420 yards of offense. Defense figures to remain a problem for San Francisco Thursday, as the team will be missing Derek Smith (hamstring) and Donald Strickland (knee), while Anthony Adams (knee, doubtful), Jeff Ulbrich (foot, questionable) and Shawntae Spencer (ankle, questionable) are banged up. On the offensive side of the ball, it’s officially time to start worrying about Alex Smith. The second-year signal caller hasn’t thrown for multiple touchdowns since Week 6 and has a 5/10 TD/INT ratio over the last seven games. Like their previous meeting, expect a heavy dose of Frank Gore, who ran for a team-record 212 rushing yards against Seattle in Week 11. He’s the NFC’s leading rusher and should once again be the focal point of San Francisco’s offense…Just when Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander start getting acclimated back into the offense, Darrell Jackson is now out with a toe injury. Jackson’s league-high 10 receiving touchdowns will be missed, but Seattle has enough playmakers to compensate. Nate Burleson is expected to move into the starting lineup, but D.J. Hackett could prove to be the biggest beneficiary. Bobby Engram also looks ready to return after battling a thyroid condition, but he’s likely to be eased back into game action. Shaun Alexander’s disappointing season continued last week, when he was only able to muster 3.5 YPC against a mediocre Arizona defense. Alexander has seen his YPC drop from last season’s 5.1 all the way to 3.5 this year, but he does have a tasty matchup this week, as San Francisco’s front seven hasn’t been able to stop anyone of late. Alexander has nine touchdowns over the last six games against San Francisco and should visit the end zone a couple of times Thursday, as the home team dominates…Aside from their defensive injuries, the 49ers also list Adam Snyder (ankle, out) and Jonas Jennings (ankle, probable) on the injury report, while the Seahawks list Robbie Tobeck (hip, doubtful), Mack Strong (ankle, questionable) and Rocky Bernard (foot, probable)… Seattle is 6-1 in its last seven games against San Francisco.

Predictions: Alex Smith continues to struggle, throwing a couple of interceptions, but he does find Antonio Bryant for a score. Frank Gore has success on the ground, running for 130 yards and finding paydirt. Matt Hasselbeck answers with 240 yards and two touchdowns, with Deion Branch and D.J. Hackett being the recipients. Shaun Alexander finally breaks out, rushing for 120 yards and two scores, as Seattle clinches its third straight division title. Seahawks 28-17.


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6 responses to “Game Capsules”

  1. Keith Avatar
    Keith

    You know, if it was just Alex Smith’s decision-making, I wouldn’t be so worried, but he’s also just making a ton of bad throws. Like you said about Brees, when it comes down to it, isn’t accuracy the most important thing for a QB? On both picks last week, Vernon Davis was at least reasonably open, but both balls were underthrown and in areas where the D could make a play on the ball. A good QB is going to be putting the ball where his receiver is the only one who can make a play on the ball, or it’s going to be incomplete. When you’re counting on the running game to win games for you, it’s those kinds of turnovers that just kill you. At this point, the 49ers season is over, so I’m just hoping Alex Smith shows me something the rest of the season, Vernon Davis figures out where to line up and keeps showing how good he’s going to be next year, and most importantly, I’m rooting for HUGE games from Gore and Branch!!

  2. tv Avatar
    tv

    I hope you are right about Alexander. I cant decide if I want to play him Addai or T. Bell…I have to pick 2 of the 3 and none of their matchups are bad but it is hard to decide!

  3. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Not to keep hatin on the guy (and they did appear to do a nice job of passing on A. Rodgers), but SF got the No. 1 pick on the wrong year. They made a great move going Gore, but look at last year’s QB options compared to the Alex Smith year. I’d like to see him turn it around so going to SF games again become worthwhile, but it’s tough to be optimistic at this point.

    Speaking of, how ironic is it that Alex Smith has the brain of a rocket scientist and Vince Young probably hasn’t learned his times tables yet?? Apparently, football instincts can’t be measured on paper.

  4. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    TV – Those are three awesome matchups, man. I think you’ve got to go Bell and Alexander, but really, I think all three are going to put up big games. Redemption for each of their respective disappointing seasons.

    I know Alexander has been especially disappointing, but it’d be awfully tough to sit him at home against SF this week.

  5. Keith Avatar
    Keith

    Yuck…things are looking good for this game. I think the weather is going to kill the passing game, and Branch’s value…figures, as soon as DJ goes down, the weather would ruin things for him.

  6. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Ya, pretty crazy weather….Branch just dropped one too, but Hasselbeck is looking his way early and often.

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