49ers the calm ones

So the 49ers had to win this game to stay in the playoff race and they responded by blowing out the Seahawks. Seattle did a lot to lose the game, including five turnovers from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, but this was the first time in a while the 49ers won a game they had to win.

According to game's two quarterbacks, Alex Smith and Matt Hasselbeck, the 49ers did it by staying calm and playing smart. For possibly the first time all season, the 49ers were not hyper, tense, and overly aggressive. Instead they allowed the game to unfold and they let the game plans on offense and defense work for them.

The 49ers "we're jumping at everything," Hasselbeck said. "We took advantage or their educated guesses."

Hasselbeck said the Seahawk receivers constantly got open with double moves. But in this game, the 49ers stayed calm and allowed the game to unfold.

"For the first time this season, I thought we let the game come to us," Smith said. "I had moments of it before, then I would have moments when I tried to do too much."

Smith used the 62-yard catch-and-run to Brian Westbrook as an example. Seattle dropped two of their linebackers over the center. They took their safeties and put them on the line of scrimmage, meaning there's no one deep in the secondary.

Smith said he didn't even need to call an audible. "Everyone can see. You just have to know and trust each other that we can make the adjustments and hit it," Smith said.

A safety and linebacker blitzed. Smith stayed cool in the pocket and hit Westbrook in stride. He beat one defender and scored. Everyone did their job and finally, it was the 49ers using a team's aggression against them.

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Dec 12 at 05:45 PM

49ers win

The 49ers did everything right in this game, including resting players at the end of the game. So the 49ers have taken the first step in their quest for the division by beating the Seahawks. The Rams also compiled by losing to the Saints. The 49ers playoff prospects just got a lot better.

Deon Butler looked like his broke his lower leg after catching a TD in the end zone. It's now 40-21.

Lawson just had a cramp.

Seattle drive: Manny Lawson just hit the deck. I think he might have a cramp.

49ers drive: A designed naked boot by Alex Smith to keep things going a little bit. Michael Crabtree missed a high pass. Still no chemistry between Smith and Crabtree. The streak is broken; the 49ers get a first down and now can eat up some clock. The 49ers are going a lot with outside zone runs with Dixon. Maybe he likes those plays inside gap runs.

Seahawks drive: Interesting the 49ers are playing Taylor Mays at free safety for Dashon Goldson. Maybe he would be better there. I've never seen so many passes go through the hands of receivers. It's happened three or four times for Seattle. Mare just missed a 43-yard field goal.

This is the first game the 49ers actually showed themselves to be playoff worthy. Also, Alex Smith got lucky in this one. Yes, he made the right reads, but he benefited from yards after the catch and five Matt Hasselbeck turnovers.

49ers drive: Another uninspired three and out for the 49ers. Seahawks drive: Things are going badly for Seattle. Matt Hasselbeck had Michael Robinson wide open and missed him with a floated pass across the field. Robinson turned around twice before the pass dropped.

49ers drive: Three and out.

Seattle: Kickoff return for a score. Seventh kickoff return for a TO for Leon Washington. Kudos to Michael Robinson and Jeff Ulbrich who are big in the Seattle special teams.

49ers drive: 49ers get another field goal from Jeff Reed, after the 46-yard big play to Josh Morgan. Morgan had about 38 yards worth of YAC on the play. That's been the story of the game, that and the Seahawks' turnovers. 49ers 40-7. Seattle drive: Three and out. Great read by Takeo Spikes on third down. He held the running back so he couldn't get out in the pattern, which is no longer a penalty apparently.

49ers drive: The 49ers go three runs and then send out Andy Lee. The 49ers should seriously consider mass substitutions with a 30-point lead and a game Thursday night in San Diego.

Seattle drive: Interception Clements in end zone. Great finger-tip catch. Hasselbeck was trying to go with a fade route, but Clements got a good chuck at the line of scrimmage and then made the pick. Well done.

The extra point got blocked. They were are looking at Iupati's left shoulder. It might be a stinger. When Iupati came off the field, Anthony Dixon patten on the left arm, which caused Iupati more pain. Everyone was laughing about that apparently.

Seattle drive: Pick six Dashon Goldson. The 49ers didn't have a safety interception all year. Then within the space of three minutes, the 49ers get two. A 40-yard interception return for a score.

Compa David White just told me that 148 yards of the Alex Smith's 195 yards came with yards after the catch.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Dec 12 at 03:59 PM

New stream for second half

49ers drive: Alex Smith didn't throw to the end zone and the 49ers settle for a field goal. Smith finished the half 13 of 20 for 195 yards and three touchdowns. But here's the question, does Troy Smith throw three TD's against the woeful Seattle?

Seattle: Interception by Reggie Smith, the first pick by safety. 49ers are on the 10.

49ers drive: Brian Westbrook tremendous 62-yard catch-and-run. A good play between two smart players. Smith recognized blitz, Westbrook got his head around quickly. Where are the boos now? 49ers lead 27-7.

Seattle drive: The 49ers stop them on 4th down and then they went with a fade route to Ruvell Martin. Shawntae Spencer provided the tight coverage that led to the incompletion.

49ers drive: 15-yard TD to Josh Morgan for the score on points after the fumble. The 49ers are doing what you have to do with Alex Smith and that's get yards after the catch. Smith likes to short and the receivers are making him look good by running after the catch. Two terrific moves by Morgan to score. 49ers lead 20-7.

Seattle drive: Travis LaBoy, sack, fumble and recovery. The hat trick. The 49ers have the ball at Seattle 17.

49ers drive: Another field goal for Jeff Reed. The 49ers are up 13-7 after the 44-yard field goal. Ted Ginn Jr. was open on a slant on third down. The ball was behind him, but Ginn has to make that catch. There have been a few drops already. Troy Smith throws a more catchable pass. 49ers 13-17.

Seahawks drive: Lots of confusion on third down on a direct snap to Michael Robinson. Then Robinson let a ball go through his hands for an interception.

49ers drive: The 49ers drive for field goal. Anthony Dixon made a great cut and found an open middle for a big gain. Alex Smith even went down to make a block. He also got blasted on third down. Smith is moving the ball and the 49ers are not doing it with the spread. They are going out of pro set or two-tights formations. 49ers 10-7.

Seahawks drive: Ruvell Martin scored easily on slant-and-go route. Free safety Reggie Smith bit on the pump fake and then slipped behind Smith in the end zone wide open. The fake was so good, it looked like a broken coverage. Smith has to watch more film. Tied 7-7.

49ers drive: Alex got sacked on third down. He held the ball too long. The Seahawks have already blitzed three times. Westbrook has picked up everyone. Chilo Rachal missed his block on Aaron Curry, which led to the sack.

Seattle drive: Guard Mike Gibson had his tail handed to him by Justin Smith. He whiffed twice on Smith. That's a match up to watch. Seattle was forced to punt.

49ers drive: Alex Smith got booed after throwing two straight incompletions to start the game, then led the team down for an opening-drive score. He found Vernon Davis for a 42-yard catch and run against a broken coverage. Terrific blitz pick up by Brian Westbrook on two of the passes to Davis. The other went for 22 yards. 49ers 7, Seattle 0

The 49ers caught a break with Seattle, neither of their big receivers, Mike Williams (ankle) and Ben Obomanu (hand), will play. Both were listed as questionable. Williams has taken over games at times.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Dec 12 at 02:30 PM