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.
Leave a Reply