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Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Rams in 2012:

Dream scenario (8-8): Sam Bradford takes every snap on offense for the second time in three seasons as the Rams protect their franchise quarterback with sensible play-calling. It's the sixth time a Jeff Fisher-coached team finishes 8-8, but no one is complaining after the Rams' 15-65 run over the previous five seasons. Trusting offensive line coach Paul Boudreau to salvage right tackle Jason Smith becomes one of the surprise success stories of the 2012 season, and a critical one for the Rams' efforts to re-establish Bradford.

Turns out the Rams were not fibbing when they suggested Brian Quick, the receiver they took in the second round, ranked up there with first-rounder Justin Blackmon on their board. The constant threat of Steven Jackson and Isaiah Pead out of the backfield creates favorable matchups for Quick and the Rams' underrated receivers. Bradford publicly downplays a Week 2 victory over Robert Griffin III and Washington, but it feels good to win at home against the player St. Louis could have selected second overall this year.

Watching Janoris Jenkins score on a fourth-quarter punt return in Patrick Peterson's house improbably stakes the Rams to a 6-5 record, stirring visions of the postseason. It's certainly sweet to finally win within the division again. The Rams lose to San Francisco the following week and ultimately finish the regular season with a respectable defeat at Seattle, but the season is a success by any measure.

Nightmare scenario (3-13): Road games against Detroit and Chicago in the first three weeks expose Bradford to significant punishment as Smith and the line struggle to find their bearings. Bradford doesn't want to talk about the ankle injury he aggravated at some point in the season's first month, but it's clearly a factor. Facing Cliff Avril, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Ndamukong Suh, Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan, Julius Peppers, Chris Clemons, Bruce Irvin, Calais Campbell, Darnell Dockett, Cameron Wake and Clay Matthews in the first seven games leaves Bradford limping toward the bye week, his confidence shaken.

Jackson continues to plug away, but we've seen this movie before, and it doesn't end well for the Rams. The depth at receiver is indeed improved, but Bradford doesn't have any truly dynamic weapons. Quick understandably needs seasoning, but with Blackmon and Arizona's Michael Floyd challenging rookie receiving records, the Rams look bad for trading down. It's tough finding open receivers with Smith struggling at tackle, anyway.

First-round pick Michael Brockers and free-agent addition Kendall Langford upgrade the run defense, but life as an every-down defensive end is tough for Robert Quinn. The veteran outside linebackers signed as stopgaps represent only a minor upgrade from last season. Off-field issues dog Jenkins, and the defense fails to meet expectations. Critics conveniently blame Gregg Williams' suspension, but the problems are more complex than that.

The Rams head into the offseason with another high draft choice, one they'll almost certainly have to invest in a playmaker of some sort.

Thoughts on Seattle Seahawks first-round pick Bruce Irvin after reading John Clayton's piece questioning the selection:

• Specific role: The Seahawks envision Irvin as a situational pass-rusher for now and the evenutal successor to Chris Clemons in the "Leo" role. Clemons was a 236-pound linebacker coming out of college. He had a 4.7-second time in the 40-yard dash, went undrafted as a junior and floundered in Philadelphia. The Seahawks acquired him with a specific role in mind. Clemons ranks eighth in the NFL with 22 sacks over the last two seasons, more than Julius Peppers, James Harrison, Clay Matthews, Dwight Freeney, Trent Cole, Jason Pierre-Paul and others. Clemons now weighs 255 pounds and has become much stronger against the run. Irvin is Clemons' height (6-foot-3) and weighs 245 pounds, but he is much faster, having run the 40 in 4.4 seconds. The plan would be for Irvin to grow into a bigger role, not to remain a situational player forever.
• Value at No. 15: Draft analysts did not anticipate Irvin's selection at No. 15. It's impossible to know whether the Seahawks could have drafted Irvin later than that. Three teams running variations of the 4-3 defense selected defensive ends in the first round. Irvin went first, followed by Shea McClellin to Chicago at No. 19 and Chandler Jones to New England at No. 21. Jacksonville, picking 38th, was the next 4-3 team to select a defensive end (Andre Branch). There was a six-pick window for 4-3 teams to select a pass-rusher in the first round. Seattle opened the window. Chicago and New England closed it, with the Patriots trading up to make sure the window did not slam on them. The Seahawks liked Jones, but concerns over a toe injury raised questions about how early they would select him. They were comfortable with the off-field issues Irvin carried into the draft.
• Whether Irvin starts: Aldon Smith collected 14 sacks in a situational role with San Francisco last season. Robert Mathis had three seasons with double-digit sacks as a reserve at various points in his career with Indianapolis. Years ago, a young Anthony Smith put together three consecutive seasons with double-digit sacks despite rarely starting for the Los Angeles Raiders. The plan is for Aldon Smith to become a starter this year. Mathis continued to produce as a starter. Anthony Smith's sack numbers fell. Clemons is the best comparison for Irvin. They have physical similarities. They are playing in the same scheme. The same coaches and personnel people decided they fit the same role.

Irvin will be a fun player to watch during training camp. Dexter Davis is another Seattle pass-rusher to keep in mind. He missed all but one game last season after suffering a hip injury and could be overlooked heading toward the season.

Thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks during their 38-14 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Week 15:

What it means: The Seahawks (7-7) kept themselves alive in the NFC playoff picture through a mix of big-play defense and special teams, backed by continued efficient play from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. The team has matched its victory total from last season and can finish with a winning record by beating San Francisco (home) and Arizona (road) in the final two weeks.

What I liked: Strong safety Kam Chancellor forced an early turnover. Also in the first half, free safety Earl Thomas picked off a pass deep in Seahawks territory. Defensive tackle Red Bryant scored on an interception return set up by K.J. Wright's quarterback pressure. Cornerback Brandon Browner scored on an interception return. Marshawn Lynch scored a touchdown for the 10th consecutive game in which he has played. Lynch ran more effectively than the raw stats indicated. His average suffered from a 2-yard scoring run and some unfortunate early play calling in the red zone. Jon Ryan and the punt coverage team pinned the Bears deep in their own territory to give Seattle an early edge in field position. Jackson got hot early in the second half, finding Golden Tate and Ben Obomanu for long gains, setting up another Lynch TD, this one to tie the game. Jackson completed 19 of 31 passes for 227 yards, one touchdown and a 94.4 NFL passer rating.

What I didn't like: The Seahawks, by pitching the ball outside to Leon Washington instead of hammering straight ahead with Lynch, conceded the conventional running game on their first possession in the red zone. Seattle also left its backup left tackle, Paul McQuistan, alone against Bears defensive end Julius Peppers on a third-and-13 play from deep in Seattle territory. That unsurprisingly led to a sack, forced fumble and Bears touchdown to erase a 7-0 Seahawks lead. Center Max Unger, though enjoying a strong season overall, remained inconsistent with his shotgun snap placement. He was too high against St. Louis last week and too low this week, resulting in fumbled snaps both times.

What's next: The Seahawks are home against the 49ers in Week 16.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 15:

Forget about running the ball: The San Francisco 49ers own the NFL's longest ongoing streak of games without allowing an individual 100-yard rusher. The streak dates to Ryan Grant's 129-yard game for Green Bay in Week 11 of the 2009 season. The 49ers' Week 15 opponent, Pittsburgh, hasn't allowed very many, either. Baltimore's Ray Rice (twice) and Houston's Arian Foster are the only players to rush for 100-plus yards against the Steelers since the 49ers' streak began. We should not expect much from Frank Gore and Rashard Mendenhall on Monday night, in other words.

Keep an eye on that fourth quarter: The 49ers are allowing only 14 points per game. That would be the second-lowest average allowed in franchise history if sustained over the season. Opponents have scored 42.3 percent of their points against the 49ers in fourth quarters, however. The 49ers have allowed 27 fourth-quarter points in their three defeats this season. Their past eight opponents have scored only 104 points, or 13 per game, but they scored half of them in fourth quarters. Can the 49ers finish against the Steelers?

Riding the Marshawn Lynch train: Lynch rushed for 573 yards in 12 games with the Seattle Seahawks last season. He has 969 yards in 12 games this season. While Lynch managed only 44 yards on 17 carries against Chicago in his Seahawks debut last season, his hard-nosed running gave Seattle a needed edge in an upset victory. The way Seattle won that game -- with tough defense, a big back and an efficient quarterback -- showed how coach Pete Carroll envisioned winning games. Can the Seahawks do it again?

Nothing comes easy: The Arizona Cardinals are tied with Denver for the most games decided by seven or fewer points this season (10). Fifteen total points separated Arizona from its opponents in the four games won with John Skelton as the Cardinals' primary quarterback. The opponent this week, Cleveland, has played close games against the Cardinals' NFC West rivals. The Browns beat Seattle by three (6-3), lost to St. Louis by one (13-12) and played the 49ers relatively close in San Francisco (20-10). The Browns' likely starting quarterback Sunday, Seneca Wallace, started four games last season. Two were decided by a total of four points.

Shuffling lines: The St. Louis Rams head into their game against Cincinnati having started nine players on their offensive line, tied for second-most in the NFL this season. The Rams and Seahawks are the only teams in the league without any offensive linemen starting all games at the same position, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Seattle has weathered the turnover fairly well, but facing the Bears' Julius Peppers without injured left tackle Russell Okung could be problematic.

The Seattle Seahawks' last two games have cost them two of their best offensive players.

Receiver Sidney Rice and left tackle Russell Okung are finished for the season.

Injuries are part of the game, of course, and Seattle's next two opponents can offer corroborating evidence:

• St. Louis, Week 14: The Rams have placed 10 cornerbacks on injured reserve this season. Like the Seahawks, they are playing without both starting offensive tackles. An ankle injury has sidelined their quarterback, Sam Bradford. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said Monday the Rams weren't sure if Bradford would return this week.
• Chicago, Week 15: A trip to Chicago in December is rarely fun for the Bears' opponents. Facing the Bears without Okung's presence against Julius Peppers will be daunting. However, the Bears are hurting worse after losing quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte. The knee injury Forte suffered Sunday will sideline him for weeks.

The Seahawks are 5-7. They have a better-than-expected chance at reaching 7-7 before San Francisco visits in Week 16. Matching their 7-9 record from last season once appeared unlikely. Not any longer.

Earlier: Seattle, Arizona suddenly have playoff hopes.

The try-hard guy, long revered by NFL fans for overcoming physical limitations with all-out effort, has not been universally loved.

Established veterans with a feel for how to practice during long, demanding regular seasons can become resentful when the try-hard guy's misplaced fury produces unwanted collisions.

So, for the sake of clarity, the try-hard guy is excused from this conversation about pass-rushers so relentless, they wear down opponents over the course of a game.

We're talking about players with enough talent to command significant playing time, many as high draft choices or big-ticket free agents. We're talking about the San Francisco 49ers' Justin Smith, one of two NFC West players to receive votes in ESPN.com's Power Rankings for defensive players. Patrick Willis was the other.

"Justin Smith is a relentless player who wears down opponents by coming after them each and every play," BigBrad184 wrote in response to this item Wednesday morning. "I don't have any stats to back this up, but it seems like he often gets many of his sacks in the fourth quarter because of the fatigue he causes to offensive lineman."

Interesting thought.

"Maybe breaking out Smith's sacks by quarter over the past few years is a project for Sando," BigBrad184 concluded.

Done deal. John Fisher of ESPN Stats & Information responded to my request for the statistical evidence BigBrad184 was seeking. Smith does rank among the NFL leaders for fourth-quarter sacks in recent seasons, but two other NFC West players, including one of Smith's teammates, rank higher on the list.

More on the results in a bit. First, a look at the methodology.

Fisher provided a file with quarter-by-quarter sack totals for every player since 2001. I filtered the information to consider:

• The last three seasons. There was no sense comparing totals for eight-year veterans against players entering the league more recently. At the same time, three seasons was long enough to pile up adequate numbers.
• Players with at least 10 sacks. This reduced qualifying players from 668 to 99, a more manageable number featuring more "name" players.
• Late-game production. I then divided the remaining 99 players' fourth-quarter and overtime sack totals by their total sacks, producing percentages that might tell us which players tend to wear down opponents.

The 49ers' Smith collected 8.5 of his 21.5 sacks in fourth quarters or overtimes since 2008. That worked out to 39.5 percent, which ranked 22nd among the 99 qualifying players.

Philadelphia's Darren Howard, who did not play in 2010, led the way with 75.8 percent of his sacks (11.5 of 16.5) after the third quarter. He was on the Eagles' roster for two of the three seasons in question and never played even half the defensive snaps in either year. But he was highly effective as a situational player, at least when measured by sack totals. Only Jared Allen (15) and Joey Porter (14) had more total sacks after the first three quarters.

There was no way to tell whether players with higher late-game sack percentages had more or better late-game opportunities for reasons unrelated to being relentless. Players operating within superior schemes or alongside better teammates certainly benefited. Overall, players collected more sacks in second and fourth quarters, no surprise given that teams attempted 6,130 additional passes during those quarters over the past three seasons, a likely reflection of two-minute situations.

The San Francisco 49ers' Parys Haralson (52.9 percent) and the St. Louis Rams' Chris Long (48.6 percent) ranked highest in fourth-quarter sack percentage among current NFC West players with at least 10 sacks over the past three seasons. Haralson was seventh in the league. Long was ninth. Former 49er Tully Banta-Cain was 10th (48.4 percent), while Arizona's Joey Porter (44.4 percent), St. Louis' Fred Robbins (44.4 percent), ex-Seahawk Lawrence Jackson (44.0 percent) and current Seahawk Chris Clemons (41.0 percent) ranked among the top 20.

Were these guys merely slow starters? Were they strong finishers? Did they wear down opponents over the course of games? The numbers do not answer those questions definitively, but they provide a starting point for discussion.

I was also interested in seeing which players collected a disproportionate number of sacks earlier in games. They were, at best, tone setters. At worst, they failed to finish or failed to adequately wear down opponents. The previous disclaimers applied to them as well.

As the chart below shows, three of the 10 qualifying players with the lowest percentages of late-game sacks have NFC West roots.

Arizona's Calais Campbell has 5.5 of his 13 sacks in first quarters, but only one in fourth quarters or overtimes. The 49ers' Manny Lawson collected 11 of his 12 sacks in the first three quarters. Darryl Tapp, traded from Seattle to Philadelphia in the deal for Clemons, has 4.5 sacks in each of the first two quarters, but only two in second halves (one after the third quarter).

A few other observations with an eye toward the NFC West:

• Porter (six) and Campbell (5.5) rank among the top seven in most first-quarter sacks. The 49ers' Smith is right behind with five.
• Arizona's Darnell Dockett has nine of his 16 sacks in second quarters. Eight players have more second-quarter sacks over the past three seasons, but all are edge-rusher types. Dockett plays end in a 3-4 scheme.
• Pittsburgh's James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley are a third-quarter nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Harrison leads the NFL with 15.5 sacks in third quarters. Woodley is second with 12. Former Cardinal Calvin Pace ranks in the top 10 with 7.5.
• Porter and Allen are tied for the most fourth-quarter sacks in the NFL over the past three seasons. Each has 14 (Allen also had one in overtime). DeMarcus Ware and Robert Mathis are next with 13.5, followed by Dwight Freeney and Julius Peppers with 12.5.

Back to the original question: Is the 49ers' Smith a relentless player who wears down opponents, producing fourth-quarter payoffs?

He might be, but he produces well enough across all quarters to transcend the try-hard label and probably even the relentless label as well. He's a beast.

Glen Coffee's sudden retirement from the San Francisco 49ers following only one season came as a shock.

Former NFL prospect Rich Williams had the right idea when he opted out of the 2002 draft and moved on with his life -- without leaving any employer hanging.

It's tough to fault Coffee for giving the NFL a try despite the ambivalence he later said he was feeling all along. The financial stakes were high and making a hasty decision to step away would have damaged any attempts to come back. The way things went, Coffee departed the NFL knowing for sure football was not for him. It was a bad break for the 49ers.

Back to Williams. Allison Glock's piece about him for ESPN The Magazine was one of the better offseason reads I've come across this year.

Williams says he has no regrets about walking away from a football career analysts thought he would begin as a mid-round draft choice. While Julius Peppers, John Henderson, Dwight Freeney, Albert Haynesworth and Charles Grant headlined the 2002 class of defensive linemen, Williams went about becoming a teacher, an evangelist and a competitive strongman.

Williams holds world records for grip strength. According to Glock's story, he lifted a 163-pound anvil by the horn and carried it 60-plus feet -- with one hand.

As for Coffee? His agent, Todd Crannell, said Coffee has worked toward his degree at Alabama, channeled his competitive energy into boxing and followed his brother's career as a running back at South Carolina.

"Glen played four years in high school, four in college and one in the NFL -- enough to know if he likes it," Crannell said. "If someone worked at McDonald's for nine years and wanted to quit, no one would wonder why. The money in the NFL is different, obviously, but money has no value to Glen. The NFL is such a brand that it's hard for people to understand when someone just does not like it."

CHICAGO -- Michael Robinson watched two Seattle Seahawks teammates leave Soldier Field on stretcher boards before emerging from a pileup with damaged ribs.

The veteran fullback winced while dressing at his locker following the Seattle Seahawks' 35-24 divisional-round playoff defeat to the Chicago Bears. Losing in the playoffs hurt, no doubt, but the medical implications seemed so much more significant -- particularly with NFL owners determined to extend the regular season by two games.

"They gotta do something to the roster size on game day," Robinson said. "They're going to have to. They're killing us, man."

Seattle played its 18th game of the season Sunday, counting playoffs.

Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu made it through the game despite suffering a concussion that left him staggering during the final stages of a wild-card victory over New Orleans. Tight end John Carlson and cornerback Marcus Trufant were less fortunate. They remained hospitalized overnight while their teammates traveled home. Both suffered concussions. Neither appeared responsive while doctors huddled around them.

Coach Pete Carroll said he expected Carlson and Trufant to be OK, but this was Trufant's second concussion in nine games -- both suffered while going low to tackle larger players. Of course, hitting opponents too high can cost players in the wallet.

"Look at all the injuries that happen during a 16-game season," Seattle defensive end Chris Clemons said. "Eighteen games, yeah, you might have guys make it through the season, but I think it will cause a lot more injuries."

Carlson leaped high to avoid safety Danieal Manning following a 14-yard reception along the Seattle sideline. Manning hit Carlson legally. Carlson tumbled to the ground face-first, landing like a diver striking the bottom of an empty pool. He did not move. Carlson's left arm stuck out away from his body in a manner that appeared unnatural.

The play carried immediate physical ramifications for Carlson. It carried psychological and strategic ones for his teammates. Seattle had just fallen behind, 7-0, when Matt Hasselbeck found Carlson open in the left flat. The play appeared relatively routine to that point.

Seattle's only other tight end, Cameron Morrah, suffered a turf-toe injury later in the game. He returned, but quarterback Hasselbeck said the issues at tight end reduced the Seahawks to exploring only one corner of the giant play sheet coordinator Jeremy Bates prepares each week. Options in the running game diminished substantially.

Another tight end, Chris Baker, was already on injured reserve.

Carlson had caught two scoring passes, both after beautifully executed play-action fakes, during Seattle's 41-36 victory over the Saints.

"We had some creative stuff [in the plan] like we had last week with John Carlson," Hasselbeck said. "Because of Julius Peppers and because of their blitz, we are a heavy leave-the-tight-end-in and leave-the-running-back-in-to-block kind of team. Obviously, in our run game, short yardage, goal line, all of those situations, we no longer had any of those."

The score was 21-0 midway through the third quarter when Trufant cut down tight end Kellen Davis following a 3-yard reception. Again, there wasn't much special about the play. But it was obvious right away Trufant wasn't getting up on his own. Medical personnel hurried onto the field with a stretcher board while Trufant lay motionless.

Like Carlson, Trufant left the field on a motorized cart. Straps immobilized their bodies.

"All indications are that both are OK," Carroll said. "It was a serious concussion on the field for both of those guys."

While labor uncertainty clouds the immediate future for the NFL and its players, owners have been unrelenting in their pursuit of an 18-game season. The idea has appeal for season-ticket holders already paying full price for two home exhibition games. Owners proposed expanding rosters and changing how injured reserve lists operate. Players countered by asking for less contact during offseason practices, among other concessions.

"I think it's a give-and-take situation," Clemons said.

Injuries and long-term labor concerns weren't the only stories for the Seahawks on a cold, snowy afternoon.

The Bears were clearly the better team in all the critical areas. That realization brought clarity and perspective to Seattle's most unusual season. The first team to win its division with a losing record played well enough in Week 17 and in the wild-card round to enter the offseason with signs of clear progress.

"This team has taken big strides within even the last three weeks," strong safety Lawyer Milloy said. "Three weeks ago, I couldn't have told you how we would have responded when the world champions were up on us 10-0."

Seattle turned that 10-0 deficit to New Orleans into one of its most memorable victories. Marshawn Lynch's 67-yard run became national news. Hasselbeck, with four touchdown passes in that game and three more against the Bears, appeared viable again.

There were nits to pick Sunday. The Seahawks' receivers, notably Mike Williams, failed to compete well enough for contested balls. More broadly, the team will need to continue its ongoing roster overhaul. Finding the next quarterback should be a priority.

Those issues can wait for another day.

The Seahawks' late run dragged down their draft status from eighth to 25th in the overall order, a price Seattle will happily pay.

"This is extremely important for us, to feel that we can come together and we can find our level and potential of this team," Carroll said. "We played very well these last couple weeks and we practiced beautifully. ... There were times during the season you would have thought it could have gone another way."

Divisional Final Word: Ravens-Steelers | Jets-Patriots | Packers-Falcons | Seahawks-Bears

Three nuggets of knowledge about Sunday's Seahawks-Bears divisional game at Soldier Field:


It's been a long road for Seattle. The Seahawks will be looking for their first postseason road victory since upsetting the Miami Dolphins following the 1983 season. They are 1-7 on the road during the postseason and 0-1 at a neutral site (Detroit, Super Bowl XL). Seattle won that divisional-round game at Miami by committing only one turnover and forcing five. That Seattle team, like this one, was breaking in a new head coach (Chuck Knox then, Pete Carroll now). That Seattle team, like this one, was the fourth seed in its conference. That team, like this one, beat the No. 5 seed in the wild-card round. Those Dolphins, like these Bears, were the No. 2 seed.

Matt Hasselbeck, the week after. Seattle's veteran quarterback is coming off the fifth game of his career with at least four touchdown passes. He played well the following week in three of the previous five opportunities. One notable exception: the time in 2006 when Hasselbeck, having picked apart the New York Giants' defense during a 42-30 victory a week earlier, struggled in defeat at Chicago. Seattle's inability to block Tommie Harris was pivotal to that outcome. Containing defensive end Julius Peppers, something Seattle did better than anticipated in Week 6, stands out as a key this time.

Emphasis on turnovers. Every coach talks about them. Carroll sets aside one day each week to focus on them. Turnovers are a greater threat to Seattle this week. Chicago has forced more of them than any team in the league since Lovie Smith arrived as head coach before the 2004 season. The Bears tied for third in the NFL this season with 35 forced turnovers (21 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries), according to the team and the NFL. Seattle lost 32 turnovers this season (17 at home and 15 on the road, counting playoffs). The Seahawks have lost only two in their past three games, however, after suffering 13 in their previous four.

The Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears needed 130 offensive plays, 18 punts and more than three hours to decide their Week 6 matchup at Soldier Field.

Sizing up their impending divisional-round playoff rematch shouldn't require so much trouble.

"I think Seattle is going to get killed," Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. said. "I’m not a believer at all."

Uh, oh. This could get ugly.

"Matt Williamson is the perfect person to offer counterbalance on the Seahawks," NFC West blog regular fundadfor2 wrote. "He couldn't think less of our team or players. Heck, he did a list showing the top 15 or 20 rookies this season, and Earl Thomas wasn't to be found. Neither was Russell Okung. Matt seems to have an axe and is looking for a grinding wheel."

Not quite.

Williamson once ranked the Seahawks 11th when our 11 other panelists had them 17th to 27th. He did single out both Thomas and Okung for praise during various installments of his weekly rookie watch. It's possible Williamson is basing his thoughts on what he saw from Seattle during its nine double-digit defeats this season.

Of course, the Seahawks did win at Chicago 23-20 in that Week 6 game. And they did just shock the New Orleans Saints 41-36 in the wild-card round, with Matt Hasselbeck outdueling Drew Brees.

"Chicago had best hope that this doesn't come down to the QB position," fundadfor2 wrote. "Matt Hasselbeck has been very good in the playoffs, and Jay Cutler -- well, I do believe this is his first sniff of the postseason. The game is different. The pressure is different. ... Cutler is up and down, and I don't expect him to have one of his better days."

This conversation began on the NFC West blog Monday when I threw open the subject for discussion. I also reached out to Williamson and ESPN college football analyst Brock Huard, the former Seahawks quarterback and current co-host on 710ESPN Seattle. Huard outlined four keys to the game from Seattle's perspective:

• Can the makeshift Seahawks offensive line handle the Bears' front four? Huard: "Lovie Smith would love to hit and pressure with their defensive line so Matt Hasselbeck can't take advantage of one-on-one mismatches outside or beat the blitz with his quick decision-making."
• Can Jay Cutler take care of the football and Mike Martz be patient in his play calling? Huard: "With Colin Cole back in the middle of Seattle's defensive line and Brandon Mebane playing the best ball of his career, will the Hawks be able to win in early run-down situations as they did in Week 6? If so, Martz's patience will be tested."
• Can Seattle corners Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings make a play on the ball? Huard: "They have one interception each all season and Cutler will give his receivers a chance downfield."
• Can the Seahawks' front seven get off the ball without the half-step advantage Qwest Field creates? Huard: "With a projected high temperature of 10 to 13 degrees, the field will slow down the game at the line of scrimmage, and a 10 a.m. PT kickoff has been a Seattle stumbling block."

The early kickoff didn't seem to hurt Seattle much against Chicago in Week 6. I don't think it's a big factor for the playoffs. Seattle is arriving Friday, just in case.

And in a surprise, Seattle has collected 22 of its 37 sacks on the road this season, including a season-high six against the Bears. Defensive backs collected 4.5 of those six sacks, however, and Seattle has become more reliant on its defensive ends to pressure quarterbacks lately.

"The Bears win because of their running game and defense," adambballn wrote. "The Saints didn't have the ability to take advantage of the Seahawks' bad run defense due to the amount of injuries they suffered at running back."

No doubt, New Orleans ran out of options at running back with Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory on injured reserve. The Saints lacked balance. Drew Brees attempted 60 passes. That played into the Seahawks' strengths in a loud environment. Brees was good, but not good enough to match one of Hasselbeck's most impressive efforts.

"The answer is simple," jogan13 wrote. "Stop Cutler, make him make bad decisions and you will win. The Bears don't play well from behind, especially if they are throwing a lot. Keep the pressure on Cutler, throw in some zone blitzes. In the end, the Seahawks will win by 14 or more."

Sounds optimistic. Cutler actually has much better passing numbers when trailing. He has seven touchdowns and eight picks when leading, but 13 touchdowns and eight picks when trailing. Elias Sports Bureau has all the situational numbers here.

One question I have is whether Martz's pass-happy instincts will prevail under pressure.

"Too many Bears fans ignore the Martz factor," DiLune2 wrote. "NFC West teams/fans are very familiar with him. He will lose his mind in big games. He will absolutely forget he has a running back because he wants to prove how smart he is. I don't see why people expect a different result from him this weekend."

Lovie Smith hit the override button on Martz near midseason. The Bears have become much more of a running team since carrying only 14 times against Seattle. Cutler passed for seven touchdowns, two interceptions and a 107.6 rating on play-action attempts this season. That reflects a running threat.

Running back Matt Forte joined Walter Payton as the only players in Bears history with at least 1,000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in the same season.

"Martz has changed everything he believes in and is playing in a wintry town," Williamson said. "Cutler has been very good and the line, though still a weakness, is starting to sort of jell. The defense is top three in the league behind Green Bay and Pittsburgh. They rush four, Julius Peppers is an animal, their defensive line is good, they are good at all levels, they are great tacklers, they are exceptional at causing turnovers and even though Seattle's special teams are fantastic, Chicago is the only one I have ahead of them, mostly because of Devin Hester.

"Simply put," Williamson added,"I think the Bears are a good football team."

OK, but the Seahawks just beat one of those. Hasselbeck burned the Saints' gambling defense for four touchdown passes. Marshawn Lynch rushed for 131 yards. Brees had better success against the "Bandit" packages that gave Cutler so much trouble in Week 6, but Brees is better than Cutler, so that wasn't such a shock.

"Lynch will need to have another big game," Hawkfannumber1 wrote. "Hasselbeck will need to be more concerned with turnovers against the Bears' defense, but he also won't need to score as much. I don't think either team will score more that 24 points. The defense will need a different game plan. The Bears will be ready for the 'Bandit' package this time. They will still need to get a ton of pressure on Cutler to get the defense off the field. If Cutler has time, he will play much better. Lastly, don't kick it to Hester."

We should probably mention Leon Washington in here somewhere, too. Opponents have contained Seattle's return specialist in recent weeks. He had a 42-yard kickoff return against the Bears.

That was nearly three months ago. Much has changed.

The Bears were without Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs then. Seattle was without Brandon Mebane, one of the team's best defensive linemen. Okung was making his second NFL start after coming back from ankle problems that have continued to bother him all season. His ability to match up against Peppers proved critical in Week 6.

"I think this game hinges on a few things, but the absolute key hinge is Russell Okung," Trynfadethis wrote. "If he can't win his matchup against Julius Peppers, then the Bears dominate. We can assume the Bears will stop the run. That's fine. The question is, if Hasselbeck has time, can they stop Mike Williams, Brandon Stokely, Ben Obomanu, Cameron Morrah and a rediscovered John Carlson? I think it's pretty simple. If the Bears don't change up bigtime on defense, then Seattle will score 24-plus points unless Hasselbeck really just tanks. So then it's on Cutler to score more."

The Bears have scored at least 31 points in two of their past three home games. All three were against playoff teams. They scored 31 against Philadelphia, 38 against the New York Jets and seven against New England.

Cutler did throw six picks over the final four games, though.

"An inexperienced playoff QB (Cutler) with a history of being a head case -- not a good combination," jeff0621 wrote.

"An old QB who hurts himself running five yards with no contact whatsoever -- not a good combination," Les_ Grossman_ countered, alluding to Hasselbeck's ill-fated touchdown run at Tampa Bay in Week 16.

Bears fans and Seahawks fans -- a good combination. Let's bring in a self-described Green Bay fan. Take it away, ZTA.

"With a couple of exceptions, the Bears have been playing solid defense," ZTAclerk wrote. "It's hard to stop the Patriots, as we've seen, and the Jets can be feast-or-famine. Seattle played a really good, balanced game against the Saints and was definitely assisted by the 12th man. If the Seahawks can put together a solid offensive gameplan around a quick Bears defense and keep the special teams from giving the Bears short field, the game can be close. If the special teams fail or the offense lets the Bears' defense dictate the game, I can't see them winning on the road."

ESPN's Trent Dilfer said he thought the Bears would probably hold Seattle to between 13 and 17 points (see video below), putting little pressure on Cutler to do anything out of the ordinary.

The score was 23-20 last time, but Seattle's Jon Ryan punted a season-high 10 times in that game. The 18 combined punts marked a single-game season high for both teams.

Hasselbeck did find Williams for 10 receptions and 123 yards. The temperature was 61 degrees that day, however, and Hasselbeck was rested coming off a bye week. His left wrist had yet to be broken and his hip, which now requires periodic draining, was healthy.

Hasselbeck has thrown 35 interceptions over the past two seasons, counting playoffs. He was hot last week, but consistency has been a problem. Hasselbeck has put together strong performances in back-to-back weeks only once in 2010, and that was after sitting out Week 9. That's why his brilliant performance against the Saints came as such a pleasant surprise for Seattle fans.

"I think what everyone is overlooking is that the Saints' defense completely collapsed in the wild-card game," goldfngr_77 wrote. "How much of that performance was a great offensive outing by the Seahawks (Lynch's eye-popping run not withstanding) and how much was the Saints' defense laying an egg? When you look at the makeup of this Bears defense, they have a lot of playoff experience and many with Super Bowl experience. I don't think you will see them implode at home the way the Saints did on the road, and that will be the difference in the game."

Sounds logical.

Of course, if the wild-card round proved anything, it's that logic doesn't always apply.

Running backs Frank Gore and Steven Jackson are among 14 NFC West players ranked among the top five at their positions in fan balloting for the Pro Bowl.

As usual, it appears as though a few fans have not spent the season carefully studying players throughout the league.

San Francisco 49ers rookie Taylor Mays might develop into an elite player. For now, he's having trouble beating out Reggie Smith. No matter. Mays, with six starts in 10 games, ranks fifth among strong safeties in fan balloting.

Arizona Cardinals veteran Adrian Wilson ranks second. That would normally be about right, but the Cardinals are struggling on defense and Wilson hasn't performed well consistently.

A few other notes on fan balloting, which continues through Dec. 20 (with players and coaches voting Dec. 22-23 and the NFL announcing rosters Dec. 28):

• Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald ranks fifth among NFC receivers. He's on pace for close to 90 receptions and is almost always worthy of consideration, even during a rough season. Roddy White, DeSean Jackson, Hakeem Nicks and Calvin Johnson rank ahead of him.
• The San Francisco 49ers' Vernon Davis ranks second among tight ends. Five tight ends in the conference have more receptions. No NFC tight ends have more TD receptions or more receptions covering at least 20 yards.
• The Cardinals' Alan Faneca ranks third among guards. Faneca was supposedly about finished. He's been better than that, but not exceptional.
• The Cardinals' Darnell Dockett ranks fifth in voting among defensive tackles even though he plays defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. Dockett has been hurt and has not been dominant. His defense has struggled badly.
• The Cardinals' Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie ranks fourth among NFC cornerbacks. He has two picks.
• The 49ers' Patrick Willis ranks first among inside linebackers. Willis hasn't had a season packed with highlights. He has gotten better as the season has progressed, however. Willis has stood out in the last couple games, including when he collected two sacks Sunday.
• St. Louis Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe ranks third among free safeties in the NFC. Antrel Rolle, formerly of the Cardinals, ranks first. Seattle Seahawks rookie Earl Thomas ranks fifth. He has five picks. Two defensive backs have more.
• The 49ers' Andy Lee ranks fifth among punters.
• The Seahawks' Leon Washington ranks fifth among return specialists. The Cardinals' LaRod Stephens-Howling did not crack the top five. Washington leads the NFL in kick-return average among players with more than two returns. He also has a 23.8-yard average on five punt returns.
• The Rams' Chris Long and James Hall did not crack the top five at defensive end. Neither did the Seahawks' Chris Clemons. All three have produced. The top five: Julius Peppers, Osi Umenyiora, Jared Allen, Justin Tuck and John Abraham.

Sometimes it's tough to know how well some players are performing. The Seahawks' Washington should get strong consideration as a return specialist. Earning a Pro Bowl spot would carry extra value for him after recovering from a career-threatening leg injury.

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals appeared energized following their bye. Safety Matt Ware on the Seahawks: "They've got a guy up there (head coach Pete Carroll) who's a guy you want to play for. You saw what he did over at USC. He's a very good coach. But we're seeing a lot of teams turn things around this year in the NFL. The Rams are playing well. The Kansas City Chiefs are playing well. As for us, we can't stay the same. We have to get better."

Also from McManaman: a look at Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes, who spends every Tuesday studying game video with the other defensive backs, and every Thursday night having dinner with them. McManaman: "So far, Rhodes has been a huge addition. He ranks second on the club with 36 tackles and in the past two games he returned fumbles for touchdowns. He is the first Cardinals player to do that in successive weeks, and perhaps it explained his voracious celebration after scoring on a 27-yard fumble recovery in Arizona's 30-20 upset win over the New Orleans Saints."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic expects no trades involving the Cardinals as the deadline nears Tuesday. Also, Steve Breaston did some running at practice Monday.

Also from Somers: "It wasn't exactly a pleasant Sunday for the Cardinals. The other three NFC West teams won. Seattle pulled into a tie with the Cardinals for the division lead at 3-2. The Rams (3-3) have now won three times as many games as they did all last season. And the 49ers (1-5) finally broke into the win column. The winner of the Cardinals-Seattle game on Sunday will be in first place. Early line on the game is the Seahawks by 3 1/2."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Gerald Hayes and O'Brien Schofield are eligible to begin practicing with the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Also from Urban: The NFC West race is taking a different form this season. Urban: "In 2007, the Seahawks controlled the outcome much of the season and clinched early. In 2008, the Cards raced out to a 7-3 record and coasted to a division title despite struggling down the stretch. Last season, the Cards built a big enough lead that being swept by the 49ers -- the second-place team -- never really made them sweat. With the majority of the season left, it’s no lock that any of the current three-win teams won’t falter (or even that the 1-5 49ers won’t get hot and fly past their brethren). But this may finally be the year with a bitter battle until the end."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree is gaining momentum. Quarterback Alex Smith: "It's a credit to him. He's worked hard the past few weeks -- not that he wasn't working hard before. He practiced really well the last three weeks and it showed up on game day." Also, Vernon Davis underwent an MRI exam to make sure his sore knee is stable.

Also from Maiocco: The 49ers are getting good production from their four outside linebackers, raising questions about whether Shawne Merriman would fit in San Francisco (even though 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky coached Merriman in San Diego and "loves" him as a player).

Dan Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says offensive players were laughing in the huddle when defensive end Isaac Sopoaga joined them as a fullback against Oakland. Crabtree: "I was really pumped to see Ike get in there and blow someone up. Even at practice, I've been hyping him up. He's crazy."

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers will need more than one victory to get their swagger back.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee explains how the 49ers beat the Raiders' press coverage. Smith: "It's hard to man up when you get into the bunch set. One of the reasons we did a lot of that is because they play so much man to man, and when you get into the bunch sets it's difficult to do that. It's easy for (defenders) to get picked and rubbed. A lot of times we get zoned off, and that's kind of what happened."

Eric Branch of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat takes a closer look at Crabtree's emergence.

Also from Branch: The 49ers' first victory makes life a little better for coach Mike Singletary.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Pete Carroll wants the team to refocus following its big win at Chicago.

Brian McIntyre of scout.com breaks down the Seahawks' snap counts and has this to say about left tackle Russell Okung: "On 40 pass plays, Okung was beaten by Matt Toeania on a stunt leading to an early throw/incomplete pass. Okung was matched up with Julius Peppers on 22 plays, including 19 where he was on an island. Okung wasn’t perfect, losing leverage and getting pushed back or tossed aside on several plays, but aside from the incomplete pass and an uncredited assisted tackle by his man, Okung kept Bears defenders off the stat sheet on Sunday."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says former President Bill Clinton dropped by Seahawks headquarters and hung out with Carroll. Carroll: "We invited him to practice when he was coming to town, and he couldn't make it. They called this morning and said he was going to be available so we just jumped together and hung out for a little while. It was a great honor, a great honor."

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Seahawks have lost four in a row and six of their last seven against Week 7 opponent Arizona.

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Seahawks overcame a "stacked deck" by beating a 4-1 team on the road in a 10 a.m. PT kickoff following a bye. Boling: "The quarterback (Matt Hasselbeck) who looked shaky this season regained control and mastery. The running game that had been unimposing turned beastly with the addition of Marshawn Lynch. And a rookie tackle (Russell Okung) performed so well that it’s easy to project him as a pillar at that critical position for the next 10 seasons or so."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo disagrees with the "conservative" label applied to his second-half approach against San Diego. A handoff to Steven Jackson for a 1-yard gain on third-and-2 was the only offensive call the Rams would like to change in retrospect, the coach said. Spagnuolo: "But other than that, we're always going to try to establish the run and get Steven going. Sometimes it happens. Sometimes it doesn't. There were a couple third downs we would've liked to have converted. But we didn't. What we were hoping for coming out of the locker room was to do something with that first drive. We had an incompletion on the first down. So now you're second-and-10, we just never recovered from that. But fortunately for the football team, the defense kept us in the game while the offense kind of got on track, and then the offense did what they did in the fourth quarter."

Also from Thomas: What can Danario Alexander offer the Rams?

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Alexander's left knee was sore following his first NFL game.

Jeff Gordon of stltoday.com says Spagnuolo's vision played out against San Diego in Week 6. Gordon: "The Rams set out to build a power running game that sets up a play-action passing game. The goal was to build a ball-control offense capable of wearing down opponents. This team muscled up on the defensive side of the ball as well. It needed to become more imposing at the point of attack. Stuff the run, rush the passer, press the receivers on the line of scrimmage . . . Spagnuolo is building a Giants defense here in St. Louis."

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams defensive coordinator Ken Flajole deserves credit for dialing up blitzes that helped produce seven sacks against Philip Rivers, two more than Rivers had ever taken in a game.

Also from Miklasz: The Rams are growing up.

CHICAGO -- Several have asked how Seattle Seahawks rookie left tackle Russell Okung fared against the Chicago Bears during his first full regular-season NFL game.

I've looked at some of the game again here at O'Hare Airport. Okung appeared comfortable and mostly effective. He's obviously strong and does play with attitude.

Brian Urlacher, the Bears' Pro Bowl middle linebacker, didn't seem to like the way Okung engaged him at the 6-yard line and drove him into the end zone, continuing to push after Justin Forsett crossed the goal line for a 9-yard touchdown run up the gut.

This was a third-and-goal situation from the 9, so the Bears were expecting pass. The surprise factor and Okung's aggressiveness on the play created the opening Forsett needed.

"He played a very good football game," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters Monday.

Carroll indicated Okung "got tossed around a little bit early" before settling in and playing well. I didn't really notice anyone tossing around Okung that much, but I'll watch the game more carefully after returning home from Chicago.

The Seahawks allowed no sacks. They used tight ends to help block at times. They had quarterback Matt Hasselbeck run bootlegs away from potential trouble. They mixed up their play calling and established a running game. Those factors helped neutralize the Bears' pass-rush.

There was good blocking, too.

"It should be a feeling like, 'You know, he’ s been against the best guy in the league and he can handle himself,' " Carroll said. "I don’ t think Russell ever doubted that, but he really wouldn’t know until he did it. And he had enough opportunities where he was truly one-on-one, so he knows that he can do that."

Seattle's line seemed to play well together, which had to be a challenge against Peppers on the road.

On one play, Peppers stunted to the inside, away from Okung. Left guard Ben Hamilton was waiting and ready to make the block. That play showed why teams often value veteran guards. I've thought the San Francisco 49ers would be better off with a veteran right guard to help rookie right tackle Anthony Davis.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says injuries and illness have slowed the early development of Rams rookie Mardy Gilyard. Clayton's injury could give Gilyard additional opportunities. The Rams love the aggressive, borderline cocky attitude Gilyard brings to the game. Gilyard: "Through misfortunes, it's my turn now. And I do not want to let any of these guys down. I do not want to let James Hall down, I do not want to let Chris Long down, I do not want to let Steven Jackson down, I don't want to let Sam (Bradford) down, I don't want to let Brandon Gibson down, Donnie Avery, Mark Clayton, Dominique Curry. I don't want to let any of those guys down, because I feel like I owe them everything. Especially the vets, who've just put their arm on my shoulder and haven't treated me like a bonehead rook." Count that quote as evidence the Rams have a good thing going on the team chemistry front.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams' Steven Jackson is closing in on Eric Dickerson in the team's record book. Thomas: "In his seventh season with the Rams, Jackson needs 141 yards rushing to surpass Dickerson's career record. Dickerson, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, rushed for 7,245 yards in just five seasons with the Rams. Jackson is at 7,105 -- and counting."

Also from Thomas: The Rams' sponsors have bought enough tickets to the team's game against San Diego to avoid a local television blackout. Failing to sell out games hurts, but sponsors' willingness to scoop up tickets reflects strong TV ratings and, perhaps, confidence in the longer-term direction of the team.

More from Thomas: Brandon Gibson needs to pick up his game following Mark Clayton's season-ending injury.

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com says the team hopes to get a boost from its returning tight ends.

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals guard Deuce Lutui is improving while his weight continues to drop. Lutui is one of the more hilarious people I've encountered in an NFL locker room. Bickley got Lutui going on his Tongan roots. Lutui: "The history of Tongan people, we were warriors! We were the Vikings of the South Pacific, the pearl of Polynesia. I come from the Kingdom of Tonga! That means, when I'm Tongan to the 'T,' I'm Tongan to the death! I'm a Lutui, and I come from a tiny nation, a dot in the middle of the map. Even if you look, you might miss it."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com thinks rookie Andre Roberts will be the Cardinals' fourth receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston and Early Doucet once all the team's wideouts are healthy. That would leave coaches to choose between Stephen Williams and Max Komar for the final roster spot at receiver on game days. Seems like Williams needs to be part of the mix. He has worked ahead of Roberts in the rotation previously.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com offers highlights from practice Thursday, plus this quote from Matt Hasselbeck about Julius Peppers: "Julius Peppers is a great, great player. When he was in Carolina, they were playing him at wide receiver. It’s not often that a guy’s playing defensive end and wide receiver who’s not like in the sixth grade. It’s amazing that he’s doing it in the NFL." The play Peppers made in picking off Kurt Warner at University of Phoenix Stadium last season stands out as one of his more memorable ones.

Also from Farnsworth: Hasselbeck's presnap battle with Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher should be a good one. Hasselbeck: "Urlacher does a great job of audibling as a middle linebacker. He’s a great player and he’s well-coached. He’s been playing in this scheme a long time and you’ll see when an offense checks – a quarterback checks – he’ll check. Or, if he gets the sense that you’re pretending to check, then he’ll call it off. It’s one of those things where you make eye contact with him, you’re making a check, and he’s like, 'No. No. No. Let’s just leave this one on.' Or other times, he’ll be like, 'Yeah, let’s check.' And so he’s a great player."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times checks in with Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, who is eagerly anticipating his Seattle debut.

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com says Chester Pitts missed practice to rest a sore knee Thursday. Pitts has had a tough time putting together back-to-back full practices on his surgically repaired knee. If the knee does improve enough, Seattle will have found an upgrade at left guard. That's why the team has been willing to carry him on its roster this long without getting any on-field contributions.

Also from Johns: Rains began falling just as the Seahawks' offensive linemen broke their season-long silence in compliance with NFL rules.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune quotes Seahawks center Chris Spencer as saying Seattle's line is beginning to jell.

Also from Williams: Lynch has never played at Soldier Field and he's looking forward to playing in Walter Payton's house. Lynch: "Sweetness did it there for a long time. So I mean probably to go in there and have one of those games that he would have had would be wonderful, wonderful for our backfield. But just to get out there with my guys and just put something together and hopefully come out with a win is my biggest thing."

John Morgan of Field Gulls explains Tyler Polumbus' perceived drop in play by noting that Seattle's game against the Rams marked the first time the team fell behind against a capable defense. Having to bounce between right and left tackle also had to present challenges.

John Boyle of the Everett Herald quotes Seattle line coach Art Valero this way regarding Russell Okung's matchup with Peppers: "They’re all good in this league. It’s like a rodeo. You’ve got to ride the bull that comes out of chute A. That’s yours, whether you want him or you don’t. You have no choice. If you’re afraid, go to church. They’ve got no choice. They’re all on full scholarship, so they’ve got to go play."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says the 49ers want quarterback Alex Smith to play with a more aggressive mindset. Smith isn't naturally aggressive. His demeanor is reserved. He became more assertive throughout the offseason because he had a better understanding of the offense and he felt as though he had earned the starting job. But he's still not naturally aggressive. The question now becomes whether he can become more aggressive and play more freely without forcing the ball into coverage. Smith has been better this season when freed to "cut it loose" after the 49ers have fallen behind. Can he adopt that mindset earlier in games? He has actually been quite effective on opening drives recently.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee sizes up the 49ers' evolving offense.

Eric Branch of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat looks at the 49ers' improved prospects on third down.

Also from Branch: The Raiders-49ers rivalry is more between fans than players. Imagine my delight (dread?) upon hearing that my dear mother would be attending the Raiders-49ers game at Candlestick Park this weekend. She doesn't really follow football, but was invited to the game as part of a group outing. I told her to watch Nos. 21 and 52 on the 49ers. But mostly I'm hoping she doesn't find herself in the middle of a brawl between Raiders and 49ers fans. Keep your head on a swivel, Mom.

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says the 49ers' run-heavy play calling on first down against Philadelphia was designed to produce more manageable third-down situations.

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle says Michael Crabtree is excited to face the Raiders after Oakland drafted Darrius Heyward-Bey over him in 2009. Crabtree: "I'm not worried about Darrius. I'm focused on winning the game. But at the same time, I'm thinking about the Raiders."

The Associated Press says former 49ers guard Woody Peoples passed away at age 67.

Arizona: The Cardinals practiced Wednesday during their bye week. Most players will be off until Monday. Quarterback Max Hall reported some ankle soreness, but no significant injuries following his first NFL start. Receivers Steve Breaston and Early Doucet expect to return from injuries in time to face the Seahawks in Week 7. Their presence dramatically upgrades the talent at receiver while restoring flexibility to the return game. The Cardinals know they can trust Breaston to field punts in a hostile environment such as Qwest Field if they're in a pinch. Arizona's best receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, was coming off a sprained knee early in the season and it showed. He looked closer to full speed in Week 5 and the bye should restore him all the way. Inside linebacker Gerald Hayes could return after missing the first five games. Rules have prevented him from practicing while on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Hayes gets clearance next week. Arizona has lacked depth at that position and the run defense has suffered at times. Backup linebacker Reggie Walker suffered a hamstring injury against New Orleans, but as coach Ken Whisenhunt told reporters Wednesday, "Well, since we don’t have to have an injury report out this week, everybody is doing great."

St. Louis: Cracks are forming in the Rams' already tenuous depth. Quarterback Sam Bradford lost his favorite and most reliable receiver when Mark Clayton suffered a season-ending knee injury Sunday. The Rams will not be able to manufacture the security Clayton was providing for Bradford. Up front, guard Jacob Bell was limited in practice Wednesday after suffering a concussion against Detroit. Bell missed time with a concussion last season. He underwent knee surgery during the offseason. He has missed three games in each of the last two seasons. The Rams lack depth on the offensive line and that is why they've been carrying only eight on their 53-man roster, one fewer than teams typically carry. Losing Bell would leave the Rams one step closer to serious trouble. Injuries wiped out their line in the second half of last season. Coach Steve Spagnuolo told reporters Wednesday he thought rookie Mike Hoomanawanui was looking good. Bradford and Hoomanawanui seemed to have a good thing going before a high-ankle sprain sidelined the tight end. Veteran tight end Billy Bajema is also returning from injury this week. His versatility should help the offense.

Seattle: Chester Pitts' recovery from microfracture knee surgery remains an uphill fight. He is not expected to make his first Seahawks start at Chicago. That means Ben Hamilton remains at left guard, most likely. The team expects left tackle Russell Okung to play a full game for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain during preseason. Okung's ankle was a problem against St. Louis. The job gets tougher in Week 6 as Okung lines up against Bears defensive end Julius Peppers. The Seahawks would like Okung and Sean Locklear to settle in as the starting tackles. A knee injury prevented Locklear from starting against the Rams. He's expected to start against Chicago. On defense, the bye week should allow cornerback Marcus Trufant to play at a higher level. A sprained ankle affected Trufant against St. Louis.

San Francisco: Receiver Kyle Williams, sidelined by toe and finger injuries this season could be available to return punts, although Ted Ginn Jr. fared well in that area Sunday. Ginn is averaging a career-high 29.4 yards per kickoff return. He is averaging 9.0 yards per punt return, which would be his highest average since 2007, his rookie season with Miami. Getting Williams back this week and Ginn back a week ago means the 49ers finally have preferred options in the return game. The 49ers are getting center Eric Heitmann back from a broken leg, but there are no indications the team will move Heitmann into the starting lineup. Messing with a line's continuity during the season isn't something teams want to do unless the returning player provides a significant upgrade. That is particularly true at center because the position affects the entire line, plus the quarterback. At tight end, the 49ers declared tight end Delanie Walker as "week-to-week" when he suffered a high-ankle sprain against Atlanta. That injury can require several weeks to heal.