ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Thanks to those who kept the latest NFC West chat moving. Transcript here. Highlights below:

Dave W. (Ukiah, Ca): OK, Mike, we 49er fans got a little dose of reality last week and we get a week off to think about it. It was obvious the o-line needs work and getting Gore back along with Crabtree will add on offense but they need to block better or it won't matter. What do you see them doing to try to get the offence scoring more?

Mike Sando: It has to start with Frank Gore. The 49ers built their offense around him, for better or worse. They need to get him involved fully as a runner and receiver. The offense is going to remain somewhat limited. This team does not have great personnel on offense. I think they have to ride Gore and tight end Vernon Davis, sprinkling in a few passes to the wide receivers. I do not think the team is set up to push the ball down the field. It's not in Jimmy Raye's nature, either. He is another limiting factor that way. He wants to run the ball.

Jason (Bmore): Every week, the press seems to think the cards will get Beanie more involved. After each game, you see very little carries and not much production. What gives?

Mike Sando: The Cardinals thought it would happen more last week. Their intention is to play him more. I question whether they will trust Beanie Wells in protection at Seattle. Ken Whisenhunt is going to have to force it a little bit. He has not been willing to do that so far. I still think he wants to do it and I still think it will happen. It's just not happening right away.

Deric (Twin Falls, ID): Mike, the Seahawks fan base is still looking for answers on what could happen to our team if Paul Allen's health prevents him from continuing to run the franchise at any point. I know he just had (another?) heart surgery recently, so this topic is [begging] to be addressed.

Mike Sando: Paul Allen did undergo another procedure. He has said he's feeling much, much better. I don't know what plans Allen has in place for his estate should something happen, but neither do I have any indications his condition is a pressing issue right now.

Matt (Princeton, NJ): Mike, is this the week that Rams finally put a W in the win column?

Mike Sando: I liked the Rams' chances better before the Jaguars lost so horribly in Seattle. Seems as though there's less chance for the Rams to catch the Jaguars napping.

On the 49ers' offense, it's important to recognize what happened. The turnovers prevented the 49ers from playing the game on their terms. This team plays good enough defense most of the time to keep games close against most teams, provided the offense doesn't suffer turnovers. We saw against the Falcons how small the margin for error can be when an offense has obvious limitations.