Russell Wilson is becoming more and more comfortable in the Seahawks offense. (Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE)
Seattle Seahawks (4-2) at San Francisco 49ers (4-2)
Sunday, 4:25 ET, FOX, Thom Brennaman, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver
Last meeting: The 49ers won, 19-17, at Seattle last Dec. 24 with PK David Akers’ fourth field goal of the day being the game-winner with 2:57 remaining.
Streaking: San Francisco QB Alex Smith is 7-1 in his past eight starts against NFC West teams.
Calling Mr. Wilson: Seahawks rookie QB Russell Wilson proved last week that he can lead an effective offense when RB Marshawn Lynch is shut down. He very well might need an encore performance with the 49ers allowing just 3.6 yards per carry, although Lynch did rush for 107 yards in the last meeting and San Francisco gave up 149 yards on the ground to the Giants last Sunday. New England dared Wilson to beat the secondary over the top, and that’s exactly what he did while displaying good arm strength and accuracy on the deep ball. Look for the 49ers to force Wilson to beat them through lengthy drives, and his height is a bigger factor when he’s attempting to throw between defenders rather than over them.
Back to bread and butter: The 49ers got away from their blueprint when the offense ran 21 first-half pass plays against the Giants vs. just nine runs. Head coach Jim Harbaugh also admitted the offensive rhythm might have been hurt with the increase of the “Wild Kap” package run by QB Colin Kaepernick. Smith is coming off a three-interception game, but this is a game that will be won or lost at the line of scrimmage. Seattle enters with the league’s second-ranked run defense and is allowing only 3.3 yards per carry. But the 49ers need to get back to their ground-and-pound staple and keep Smith out of the third-and-longs that the Seahawks’ strong pass-rushing front four feasts off of.
Need to know: Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin, who played for Harbaugh at Stanford, had a touchdown reception in both meetings last season. … RB Frank Gore has the two highest single-game rushing totals (212, 207) in 49ers history, both coming against Seattle.
