Defending the Seahawks' powerful running back begins in the middle. Young and Stubblefield are being counted on to clog the interior running lanes and take on blockers, allowing the linebackers to make plays.

Alexander struggled initially, failing to gain more than 37 yards in his first three games, all losses. But he grabbed the 49ers' attention with his most recent performance -- a five-touchdown, 139-yard effort against Minnesota. Now he's coming off a bye and week to freshen his legs.

Stubblefield and Young are part of a defense that has held opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing in three of four games, all victories.49ers Coach

Steve Mariucci

vs. Seahawks Coach Mike Holmgren

They're called Holmgren's Heroes, a group of six former Holmgren assistants now working as head coaches in the NFL. Mariucci is one of them. Holmgren holds the upper hand in three meetings with his former quarterbacks coach, beating Mariucci twice while head coach of Green Bay. This is their first meeting since Holmgren took the Seattle job four years ago.49ers DE

Chike Okeafor

vs. Seahawks

T Floyd Womack

Womack moved back to his natural position on the right side two weeks ago with the return to health of Seattle's highly regarded left tackle, Walter Jones. The 330-pound Womack, who is nicknamed ``Pork Chop,'' outweighs Okeafor by nearly 70 pounds. Okeafor's speed off the edge could turn that mismatch into an advantage for the 49ers.49ers LG

Eric Heitmann

vs. Seahawks

DTs John Randle

and Rocky Bernard

The 49ers' first rookie starter in the offensive line since tackle Harris Barton in 1987, Heitmann faces a double whammy against Seattle. Randle, a former Pro Bowl player, makes his debut after off-season knee surgery. Bernard, the NFC's defensive rookie of the month in September, will spell him.49ers C

Jeremy Newberry

vs. Seahawks LB Isaiah Kacyvenski

The Seahawks have been vulnerable to the run all season, surrendering more than 200 yards twice and 192 yards on another occasion. Kacyvenski stands out as the Seahawks' leading tackler, and the ability of Newberry to knock him out of the way will be central to establishing the running game.