Week 7 - With both the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks struggled out of the gates this season and sharing a 2-4 record at the bottom of the NFC West, wins have been hard to come by for the two teams recently removed from being conference powerhouses. But with the two renewing rivalries on Thursday night for the first of two meetings, one was bound to hang a 'W' in the win column while the other fell deeper into the abyss of the NFC Western division standings. And with Seattle getting the better half of their bitter rivals in three straight meetings, the results in this one would be no different. The opening-drive of the ball game resulted in a three and out for San Francisco, meanwhile, Seattle marched down the field on a 12-play drive that nearly stalled inside the 5-yard line before running back Marshawn Lynch finally reached the end zone on third down after numerous attempts. That's basically how the rest of the game would play out for both teams.
Enduring their worst start since 2011, Seattle entered Thursday's game having lost three game this season in which they held a 4th quarter lead of at least 7-points. They wouldn't have to worry about any fourth quarter collapse in this one, however, as the 49ers offense was a no-show, totaling more punts than first downs. San Francisco's defense was decent, intercepting Seattle QB Russell Wilson twice, but Seattle's was better as Colin Kaepernick was kept in check and held to only 124 yards passing. Kaepernick, who was sacked six times, struggled once again against a Seattle defense that has had his number in six of the seven meetings since he's been named the starting quarterback. Wilson didn't have a great game by any stretch either, throwing for 235 yards and a touchdown to go with two picks, but he had Marshawn Lynch to fall back on. On a night Russell Wilson was sacked five times, adding to his league-high 31 sacks this season, Lynch carried the load on offense by rushing for 122 yards and a TD on 27 attempts. Meanwhile, the 49ers ground attack accounted for only 61 yards between Carlos Hyde and Reggie Bush.
In a game that lacked flair from either side, Russell Wilson connected with receiver Tyler Lockett in the end zone from 43 yards out for a touchdown on the only big play of the evening as the 49ers fell, 20-3, and have now been outscored 56 to 13 in their last three meetings vs Seattle. Niners tight-end Vernon Davis who missed his last three games before returning to the field a week ago as he was a non-factor in the win against Baltimore, led his team in both receptions (4) and receiving yards (61) in the loss despite being linked to possible trade rumors. As for Seattle's newest offensive addition -- Jimmy Graham, the San Francisco defense kept him in check for only 31 yards receiving on two grabs.
As for my take on Colin Kaepernick who I've been behind and defended all season long after the criticism he's received, I finally have my first beef as the Niners QB played too conservatively for my taste on Thursday and tried too hard not to throw an interception versus his nemesis which he succeeded at but in doing so, negated the possibility of any big play ability. His safe decision making was almost reminiscent of an Alex Smith led offense. It's one thing to fear disaster and not risk the gamble, but Kaepernick simply plays too scared against Seattle which showed once again as the offense was virtually nonexistent. By no means am I suggesting a change at quarterback, but perhaps a game plan different from the predictable one we saw on Thursday. Not to mention the zero rush attempts by Kaepernick all game long. In the few times Kaepernick has had success against Seattle throughout his career, he was doing it with his feet, something we saw none of in the 49ers' fourth consecutive loss to Seattle. Whether it's by design from the head coach on down to the offensive coordinator, the once upon a time "dual-threat QB" has completely deserted the rush. If the Niners aren't going to try executing a game plan that might actually work, they're better off forfeiting before kickoff.
Injury Report - Pro Bowl safety from just a season ago -- Antoine Bethea will be lost for the year with a season-ending injury after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in Thursday's game. Voted team MVP for the 49ers just a season ago, the injury to Bethea will likely open the door for rookie safety Jaquiski Tartt.
Week 8 Preview - After experiencing the taste of victory for a brief four days before falling once more to Seattle, the 49ers will use those extra handful of days of rest when they hit the road for a meeting with the division-rival Rams (3-3). Squaring off for the first of two meetings this season, St. Louis is one of the few teams in the league that has struggled as mightily as San Francisco has on offense. With both teams ranking 31st (STL) and 32nd (SF) in average points per game, expect this one to be another defensive battle. Splitting the season series just a year ago with each team claiming road victories, a win for the Niners in this one would give them their first road victory of the season and some confidence heading into their final game before a BYE in Week 10. But in order to do that, the San Francisco defense will have to put a halt to rookie running back Todd Gurley. The Rams' first-round pick out of Georgia has been on a tear as of late since being handed the starting job, averaging over 120 yards in each of his last three games including a 2 touchdown performance in last week's win at Cleveland and a 159 yard outburst the game before.
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For the first time in his fourth season at the helm of the 49ers, coach Jim Harbaugh found himself coaching a game with little significance with San Francisco being eliminated from playoff contention after last week's loss to Seattle. Other than the dignity of the franchise and being guaranteed another winning season, there wasn't much to be won for the home team. As for San Diego on the other hand, the Chargers were in need of a win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. But from the first play on, it was San Francisco who was in the drivers seat and appeared to be the ones fighting for a playoff berth.
Three plays into the game, 49ers running back Frank Gore was off to the races and would put his team on the board with a 52-yard touchdown run, his longest of the season. San Francisco would have a chance to score on back to back drives to open the game but a fumble inside the 5-yard line by fullback Bruce Miller would put an end to that. Another 49er named Bruce would have better luck, however, as Rookie wide-out Bruce Ellington who entered the game with only one touchdown on the season, scored two in this game alone. Touchdowns by Ellington through the air and on the ground coupled with the first pick-six of safety Antoine Bethea's career helped the 49ers jump out to a 28-7 halftime lead. The 28-point outburst in the first half would match the largest point total for San Francisco since Week 6, and with another full half to be played, Niner fans were hoping it would continue until the final whistle. But just like the their lead, the 49ers offense would evaporate into thin air come the start of the third quarter like its done so often this season.
After San Diego made it a two possession game with a touchdown pass from QB Philip Rivers to his trusty tight-end Antonio Gates, the 49ers would have a 63-yard Vernon Davis touchdown wiped out by a pair of offensive penalties. The Chargers would take advantage on the very next play as 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was sacked and stripped of the ball which rolled into the end zone recovered by San Diego, pulling them within a touchdown. With all the momentum quickly shifting in San Diego's favor, the 49ers were in need of a big play. They would get just that two plays later on their ensuing drive. Though it would take Colin Kaepernick until Week 16 to log his first rushing touchdown of the season, he would make it a memorable one, proving he hasn't lost a beat one bit by setting a franchise record for the longest run by a 49ers QB as he found an opening and bolted for a 90-yard touchdown run. The highlight worthy play would also mark the second longest run from scrimmage in 49ers history.
Unfortunately for the Niners, it would be the last time they'd see the end zone with another full quarter to play as they were shutout in the fourth quarter. Despite intercepting Philip Rivers three times on the evening, they would be no match for the 5-time Pro Bowl QB in the fourth quarter who came through in the clutch. After connecting with Gates in the end zone for the second time of the game, Rivers orchestrated a drive worthy of a Hollywood script. Twice were the Chargers pinned with their backs against the wall late in the fourth quarter facing fourth and long with the San Diego QB converting both times, capped off with a game-tying touchdown pass to Malcolm Floyd with 32 seconds remaining in regulation. Kaepernick and company would do their best to try and give kicker Phil Dawson an opportunity to be the hero but with the clock against them, a 60-yard field goal attempt was the best they could get him which he missed.
With the game headed into sudden death overtime, it was the Niners who won the coin-toss and appeared to once again have fortune on their side. But a 20-yard pickup near midfield would end sour as second-year receiver Quinton Patton fumbled the ball. Several plays later, Chargers kicker Nick Novak would kick his team to victory with a game-winning 40-yard field goal, preserving his team's season and keeping their playoff hopes alive as San Francisco lost their fourth straight. It would be the second largest comeback in Chargers franchise history and just the second time ever that the 49ers blew a game when leading by 21 or more at the half. For Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers, the loss is a punch in the gut to a team that has prided themselves on defense over the last few years but couldn't hang onto a three touchdown lead at Home with numerous chances to win.
The 49ers out-rushed their opponent 355 yards to 98, setting a franchise record for yards rushed in a single-game, but it would be the QB position which made the difference in the end. Philip Rivers finished the game throwing for 354 yards, 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions as his team improved to 9-6 on the year, meanwhile the 49ers fell to 7-8 on a night that QB Colin Kaepernick threw for 114 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another 151 yards and a TD. Running back Frank Gore tallied 158 yards on the ground, needing only 38 yards to reach the 1,000 yard mark for the eighth time in his 10-year career.
Week 17 Preview: Hosting the 11-4 Arizona Cardinals in the final game of the season for the 49ers, Jim Harbaugh's club will face a banged up Arizona team that has limped its way to the end of the regular season most notably at the Quarterback position. With both Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton sidelined with injuries, the Cardinals are down to their third-string QB -- Ryan Lindley. And considering he's still seeking his first career touchdown pass, I'd like to think the 49ers can end the year on a high note with a win to closeout the season. But I also wouldn't put it past San Francisco's offense to go missing again come the second half which could spell a fifth straight loss if they don't score enough points in the first half. At the end of the day, I'd be very surprised if Frank Gore doesn't finish the game with 1,000 yards on the season and the 49ers aren't at an even .500 record.
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