Seahawks at 49ers
THE STORY: In a division where a .500 record always seems to be enough to earn a playoff berth, two NFC West foes open the season at San Francisco on Sunday. Seattle earned the playoff berth last year with a 7-9 division record and then stunned New Orleans in the first round thanks in a large part to an unforgettable run by Marshawn Lynch. The game will mark the debut for Niners head coach Jim Harbaugh, who faces off against another former Pac-10 coach in Pete Carroll. Harbaugh designed a powerhouse offense at Stanford but whether he can do it with Alex Smith at the helm is a mystery.
TV: FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET; LINE: SF -5.5, 37.5
ABOUT THE 49ERS (2010 record, 6-10 NFC West): Ever since the Niners drafted Alex Smith ahead of Aaron Rodgers, the franchise has struggled mightily at quarterback. While the QB position has been a nightmare, the Niners have solid weapons in back Frank Gore, who twice has rushed for over 200 yards against the Seahawks, and Vernon Davis, who leads all tight ends with 20 TDs since 2009. Patrick Willis is back to anchor the defense. The fierce linebacker led the team in tackles with 153 last season. WR Braylon Edwards, who has the ability to stretch the field, will also make his debut with the Niners on Sunday.
ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (2010 record, 7-9 NFC West): While the Tarvaris Jackson-to-Sidney Rice combination did little to rival memories of Montana-to-Rice, the Seahawks apparently felt strongly enough about it to reunite the pair in Seattle. Rice (81 catches, 1,312 yards, 8 TDs) showed flashes of his immense talent at times in Minnesota, but Jackson did little more than carry a clipboard. If Jackson can’t get it done Charlie Whitehurst is waiting in the wings. OG Robert Gallery is questionable with a knee injury and Rice missed the final preseason game with a shoulder injury but is expected to play.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Smith threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns as the Niners hammered the Seahawks 40-21 in their last meeting. San Francisco led 30-7 at the half.
2. For those thinking that Harbaugh is a miracle worker, consider that he went 4-8 and 5-7 in his first two seasons at Stanford.
3. The home team has won the last four games in the series.