Seahawks-49ers Preview

SCOUTING REPORT

Seahawks-49ers: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Seahawks-49ers matchup. 1. Seattle needs to limit its turnovers: Seattle turned the ball over on three of its first four possessions thanks to two interceptions by QB Matt Hasselbeck and a fumble by WR Nate Burleson. Thanks to a stout defense and ineptitude by the Rams' offense, the Seahawks escaped, but they can't expect the 49ers to be so generous.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
SEA	5-11	280	390	4-4	1-7	3-3	4-8
SFO	8-8	330	281	6-2	2-6	5-1	7-5
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Seattle Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Hassel... 60.0 3029 17 17 Wallac... 65.0 700 3 2

San Francisco Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Smith 60.5 2350 18 12 Hill 56.1 943 5 2

Seattle Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Jones 177 663 3.7 2 Forset... 114 619 5.4 4

San Francisco Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Gore 229 1120 4.9 10 Coffee 83 226 2.7 1

Seattle Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Houshm... 79 911 11.5 3 Burles... 63 812 12.9 3

San Francisco Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Davis 78 965 12.4 13 Crabtr... 48 625 13.0 2

Full Player Stats: Seattle | San Francisco

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	SEA	317.0
	SFO	291.0
Yards Passing	SEA	218.9
	SFO	190.8
Yards Rushing	SEA	97.9
	SFO	100.0
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	SEA	356.4
	SFO	326.4
Pass Yds Allowed	SEA	245.4
	SFO	229.4
Rush Yds Allowed	SEA	111.0
	SFO	97.0

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Seattle leads 10-6
Oct 26, 2008	SEA 34, SFO 13
Sep 14, 2008	SEA 30, @SFO 33
Nov 12, 2007	SEA 24, @SFO 0
Sep 30, 2007	SEA 23, SFO 3
Dec 14, 2006	SEA 14, @SFO 24
Nov 19, 2006	SEA 14, SFO 20
Dec 11, 2005	SEA 41, @SFO 3
Nov 20, 2005	SEA 27, SFO 25
Nov 7, 2004	SEA 42, SFO 27
Sep 26, 2004	SEA 34, @SFO 0
Dec 27, 2003	SEA 24, SFO 17
Oct 12, 2003	SEA 20, @SFO 19
Dec 1, 2002	SEA 24, SFO 31
Oct 14, 2002	SEA 21, @SFO 28

The Seattle Seahawks shut out a division rival in Jim Mora's debut as their coach, beginning what they hope will be a dramatic turnaround from a disappointing 2008 season.

Though the San Francisco 49ers didn't blank their first opponent, their victory over the reigning NFC champions was no less impressive.

The Seahawks and the Niners look to build on encouraging season-opening wins and improve to 2-0 within the NFC West on Sunday when they meet at Candlestick Park.

In large part because it was plagued by injuries, Seattle stumbled to a 4-12 finish in its final season under Mike Holmgren. Holmgren's retirement opened the door for Mora, whose new-look Seahawks cruised to a 28-0 win over St. Louis last Sunday.

Seattle's first shutout since Nov. 12, 2007, also was its easiest win to open a season since a 38-0 victory over Philadelphia in 1998.

"It was especially emotional for me, because there is some significance to it. I'd be lying if I told you there wasn't," said the 47-year-old Mora, Atlanta's coach from 2004-06. "It was kind of a surreal experience."

Matt Hasselbeck, who missed nine games last season with a bad back, completed 25 of 36 passes with three touchdowns, two interceptions and 279 yards -- his most in an opener. The rest of the Seahawks showed some feistiness, swarming on defense and sometimes scrapping with Rams players after the whistle.

"The whole offseason, they said our team was soft," said rookie outside linebacker Aaron Curry, the fourth overall pick who scuffled repeatedly with Rams running back Steven Jackson. "We've got to change our image."

There might be more adjustments to come. Despite the lopsided win, Mora wasn't happy with his team's three turnovers in the first quarter or the fact that his defense gave up 109 of its 247 total yards allowed on St. Louis' final two drives.

"There were a lot of opportunities for us to get better. And we will do that," he said. "I think the most positive thing besides the win ... was that we overcame some adversity early, three turnovers in the first quarter. Our defense went out the first three series and in 14 plays (allowed) 7 yards and one first down.

"When you go through a season, you have to be able to lean on each other a little bit, because it's rare really that all three phases of the game are working at the same time at maximum efficiency."

Like Mora, San Francisco's Mike Singletary got his first full season as coach off to a good start last weekend. Handed the full-time job in the offseason after serving on an interim basis for nine games in 2008, Singletary guided the Niners to a hard-fought 20-16 win over reigning division and conference champion Arizona last Sunday.

"To come in their backyard, after everything they've accomplished, we knew it was going to be a tremendous challenge," Singletary said.

While the Niners answered that challenge, their rushing attack was almost completely contained. They came into the season strongly devoted to Frank Gore and the running game but totaled 21 yards on 25 carries, the fewest yards rushing in a victory in franchise history and third-lowest ever by the team.

"I don't think anybody was as sharp as we wanted them to be in this game," Singletary said. "Yes it was indeed an ugly game. But it was beautiful to see our guys continue to fight, persevere, work through the adversity, work through the issues, work through the noise, work through all this stuff and come out with a win.

"The biggest thing we did is we stayed together. We hung together, we fought together and we ended up winning together."

Singletary lost his head coaching debut 34-13 at home against Seattle last season as San Francisco settled for a split of the season series. The Niners have dropped nine of 12 against the Seahawks since 2003, including five of six at Candlestick Park.

While San Francisco came out of its opener without any major injuries, Seattle is hurting again with linebacker Leroy Hill expected to miss at least six weeks with a groin injury.

Nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones, though, could play Sunday, one month to the day after knee surgery.

Jones had his most extensive practice on Friday since undergoing his second knee surgery in eight months. He did some team drills and is listed as questionable.

Mora said Jones has progressed more than expected, but cautioned "we can't be greedy" and play the star too soon.

Seahawks O-coordinator won't discuss LT Jones

Jeremy Bates spoke for the first time since arriving from Southern California last month and said he "won't get into what route we're going" at left tackle.

Leaders talk wording of 49ers stadium measure

Santa Clara city leaders are set to discuss the final wording of the ballot measure for a proposed stadium for the San Francisco 49ers.

Owners talk labor situation; status quo reigns

NFL owners have met for several hours to discuss the labor situation, although it appears they are no closer to reaching an agreement with the players' union for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Bears shift Marinelli to defensive coordinator

The Bears hired the 49ers' Shane Day as quarterbacks coach.

Walter Jones 'was able 2 get in football stance 2day'

That's the twitter shorthand from the mountain of a man that has been a fixture at the left edge of Seattle's offensive line.

Tyler Roehl suffers torn anterior-cruciate ligament

Tyler Roehl, an undrafted free agent fullback signed by Seattle in April suffered a torn knee ligament during a non-contact practice on Monday, according to reporter Jeff Kolpack of The Forum, in Fargo, S.D. Roehl confirmed that it was his left knee that was injured.

Seahawks work on short-yardage, goal-line situations at practice

That's the description offered up by Matt Hasselbeck via his Twitter account. Of course, he used cool acronyms: SY and GL practice today.

Hasselbeck looks healthy, learning new Seattle offense

Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck looks healthy after being limited to seven games last season.

Seahawks rookie out to prove he's just the right size

Working with the Seattle Seahawks defensive line group, Nick Reed looks like a boy among men.

Santa Clara approves financing plan for 49ers stadium

Nearly three years after Santa Clara's hopes of landing an NFL stadium came to life, the City Council early this morning carried that dream over yet another key hurdle ? approving a long-awaited financing plan with the San Francisco 49ers.

CB Bly blows into camp

"My instincts are still very instinctive," he said. Good to know. When Walt Harris tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee two weeks ago, the 49ers were in need of a top-flight cornerback.

Newsom to Santa Clara: Don't build stadium

The Santa Clara City Council may decide tonight to bless a $937 million stadium project for the San Francisco 49ers.

Sharing stadium not such bad idea

THE ONLY ABSOLUTE about a sports team seeking a new home is the presence of anger.

Singletary's 'intensity' could be rallying point for middling 49ers

The new uniforms bring to mind the San Francisco 49ers of the championship years.