I think I've made it pretty clear that I don't have a good feeling about this game. The offense might get some things done, but the Seahawks are well overdue for an offensive explosion. Combine that with a 49ers defense that is absolutely decimated on defense and it does not bode well for a road game in Seattle.
Best Case Scenario (Maybe even a little unrealistic)
49ers 31 - Seahawks 17: The Seahawks struggle in getting the offense going yet again, Alex Smith and Vernon Davis continue to connect and develop a chemistry while Frank Gore blows through the Seattle defense. With the receiving corp struggling, the Smith-Davis duo could prove huge the rest of the way. A lack of Darrell Jackson's big play ability makes the Seahawks one dimensional. The patchwork 49ers defense somehow performs a miracle and contains Seattle.
Worst Case Scenario
Seahawks 48 - 49ers 6: The Seahawks offense clicks on all cylinders. Hasselbeck spreads the wealth without Darrell Jackson and Shaun Alexander rolls over the depleted 49ers defense. The defense is down to 3rd and 4th string corners and while they put forth the effort, the results are not so good. Due to falling behind big early, the Seahawks defense stacks the box against Gore and tees off on Alex Smith. The offense just can't get going.
Prediction
Seahawks 42 - 49ers 17: I think the 49ers can get some offense going but they can't hang with the high-flying Seahawks. The team has struggled the last few weeks but been competitive (excluding the 2nd half of the Saints game) and I think the struggles will really catch up this week.
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I don't expect our Niners to win this game. They are just terrible on the road. What I will be looking at is how the team decides to end the last 3 games of the season:
1. Will the o-line protect Alex Smith and provide him lanes so he won't have passes batted?
2. Can our receivers and tight-ends create separation and more importantly, will they be on the same page as Alex?
3. If we fall behind early, how will Alex respond? Can he finally show us glimpses that he can lead a team when trailing (something he couldn't do all year)?
Outside of the botched handoff last week and Gore's early fumble problems in the beginning of the season, the running game has been very effective for us. The passing game however, has not. Smith has been wrongfully blamed for all the faults but it's a combination of the pass protection, route running of the receivers, and poor decision/lack of vision on Alex's part.
The only reason I emphasize the offense is because our offense today is what we'll be carrying over next year. The defense on the other hand, will compose of new faces via free agency and draft.
While a victory will be great for a young team like ours, I'll happily take a loss if the Niners are progressing in the passing game.
According to Matt Maiocco at the Press Democrat (and the National Weather Service), winds are expected to be around 40MPH with up to 60+MPH gusts for kickoff tonight. That kind of weather will make the Gore vs Alexander matchup the most important one of the entire game.
Another interesting tidbit is that both teams have "capable" tight-ends. Watch for Hasselback and Smith to check down ALOT tonight and dump it off to their backs and TEs.
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