SEATTLE, Wa., — This is the live blog for the pregame of the 49ers Week 16 game against the Seahawks. I’ll update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box.
2:55 Whichever team scores first will have a great chance to win this game. Neither the 49ers nor the Seahawks are built to come from behind. They’re run/play-action teams that want to get an early lead and pile on.
The Seahawks especially want to get on top first, that way they maintain the crowd noise advantage. Also, the 49ers have trailed two times after the first quarter this season and they have not won either game, and they’ve trailed at halftime three times this season and have not won any of those games, either.
3:01 Greg Roman needs to stick with the running game tonight. Frank Gore gained 131 on 16 carries (8.19 yards per attempt) against the Seahawks Week 7, and Seattle is allowing 5.3 yards per carry since that game.
3:04 The Seahawks defense has forced 11 turnovers in the last two games.
3:05 The 49ers beat the Seahawks 13-6 Week 7. That was the fifth time in seven games the Seahawks had scored less than 20 points. Since that game, the Seahawks have scored more than 20 points every week, hence my 24-21 prediction.
3:09 Seahawks nickel rusher Bruce Irvin has eight sacks this season. Six have come in Seattle. It’s imperative for the 49ers to avoid obvious passing situations. Joe Staley and Anthony Davis are not built to stop speed rushers like Chris Clemons and Bruce Irvin, especially in a loud stadium with a silent count.
3:46 Colin Kaepernick warms up his arm like a baseball player. He starts by firing 10-yard passes without moving his his feet. He twists his torso back and forth, but his feet stay planted side-by-side.
3:48 Pete Carroll is catching passes in the end zone. That’s his deal – he used to do that when he was the defensive coordinator on the 49ers.
3:49 Now Carroll is catching passes from a 10-year old kid at the 20-yard line on the 49ers side of the field. It’s like he’s marking his territory. It’s like when a boxer goes into to his opponent’s corner before the fight.
3:50 One thing is for sure – Jim Harbaugh throws a better ball than Pete Carroll. Carroll looks like a lefty trying to throw with his right hand.
4:01 Justin Smith and A.J. Jenkins are inactive. Cam Johnson is active, and his jersey number is 50. Here are the rest of the 49ers’ inactives: Scott Tolzien, Trenton Robinson, Jewel Hampton, Clark Haggans and Joe Looney.
4:05 The Seahawks inactives are Marcus Trufant, Walter Thurmond, DeShawn Shead, Rishaw Johnson, John Moffitt, Mike Person and Jaye Howard.
4:06 Rookie sixth round pick Jeremy Lane will start at right cornerback, and Byron Maxwell will play slot corner. The 49ers have huge matchup advantages against those two.
4:12 Ray McDonald will match up against the Seahawks backup right guard, J.R. Sweezy. That’s another advantage for the 49ers.
4:15 Mario Manningham is active and starting. That’s a big break for the 49ers.
4:17 David Akers just came up way short on a 53-yard field goal. Next kick, the sneaks over the crossbar.
4:23 It’s starting to rain.
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