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| Other Week 13 Game Recaps | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAL at GB | DAL at NYG | DEN at KC | DET at CIN | HOU at JAX | MIN at ARI | NE at MIA | NO at WAS |
| NYJ at BUF | OAK at PIT | PHI at ATL | SD at CLE | SF at SEA | STL at CHI | TB at CAR | TEN at IND |
Week 13 Game Recap: San Francisco 49ers 17, Seattle Seahawks 20
San Francisco 49ers
| QB Alex Smith, Pass: 27 - 45 - 310 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 1 - 0 |
Smith came out firing the ball downfield, as he had in the past couple of games -- there is no doubt that the 49ers are now a pass first team. The Seahawks blitzed heavily, making it tough for him to make plays in the early going. Smith adjusted quickly, and found success working out of the shotgun and on rollouts. He usually looked for his downfield targets first, but did an excellent job of mixing up short and long throws to keep the defense off balance. Smith is quite accurate and puts a lot of zip on the ball, which gives his receivers a chance on most throws. But there were far too many misses and drops on good passes; Smith could easily have topped 350 yards and added another touchdown if not for the miscues. Not to mention the 49ers probably would have come away with the win.
| RB Frank Gore, Rush: 9 - 25 - 0, Rec: 5 - 37 - 0 (8 targets) |
Gore has officially taken a back seat to the pass happy offense led by QB Alex Smith. For the second time in three weeks, he did not reach double digits in rushing attempts, and was never able to get into any sort of groove since his touches were so far apart. And while he looked fine on a few short receptions, he seemed to be an afterthought as Smith looked downfield more often than not. On one play, he lined up as a wideout, for a hitch pass, and could have gained more yards but stumbled for a short gain. Gore also had a costly fumble in fourth quarter. Not his best game.
| WR Josh Morgan, Rush: 1 - 20 - 0, Rec: 6 - 56 - 1 (8 targets) |
Morgan was a reliable target underneath. He was given the opportunity to make some plays in this game and did not disappoint. He got a lot of early looks due to the Seahawks blitzing so heavily; Smith got off a few quick passes to him for decent gains. Morgan also gained 20 yards on a nifty double reverse, and hauled in a very nice 22-yard sideline catch that he ran in for the score. Morgan is only the third option in this offense (or fourth, when Gore is used more), but showed he has the versatility to succeed in whichever role they want him to play. He should continue to be a hit and miss fantasy option, but it will be dependant on his opportunity, not his talent.
| WR Michael Crabtree, Rec: 6 - 60 - 0 (12 targets) |
Crabtree is exciting to watch, as he tries to catch them all, even when it looks like he has no chance. After coming close with a few, he proved that work is worthwhile on a comeback catch that was heading for the turf out of his reach -- or so it looked -- but he snagged it for a first down. Right now, he is a good option, not a great one, but all signs point to his numbers increasing. He plays in a pass happy offense and is arguably the number one target of his QB, and has still only played in 7 NFL games. It's easy to forget he's a rookie; right now Crabtree is a serviceable fantasy option each week, and as he gains consistency, he'll be a must start in any format.
| WR Brandon Jones, Rec: 1 - 18 - 0 (2 targets) |
Jones muffed a punt return, resulting in a Seattle TD; and was later called for offensive pass interference, negating a crucial first down. But he made up for that on the very next play, making a tough leaping grab for an 18 yard catch and a first down. Not used heavily, but Smith had no problem going to him in the clutch even after a mistake, so there is some potential here, just not much based on where he sits on the depth chart.
| TE Vernon Davis, Rec: 6 - 111 - 1 (9 targets) |
Davis once again had a monster game: a TD for the third game in a row, and his third 100+ yard game in the last five. But the story his line doesn't tell is how he couldn't hang on to two other touchdown passes. On one hand, yes, his statline could have been even better; on the other, the lack of focus is disconcerting. He ought to continue to be a top target in this offense, and he has a great chemistry with QB Alex Smith, but beware of his drops becoming a trend.
| TE Delanie Walker, Rush: 1 - 7 - 0, Rec: 3 - 28 - 0 (4 targets) |
Walker was really utilized in the offense, he was no mere dump off target as most 2nd tight ends would be. Early in the game, he nearly had a TD catch, even though he was mauled by Lawyer Milloy -- with no pass interference call, a glaring error -- but couldn't quite hold on. He was effective whenever he got the ball, and one catch (that got called back on a penalty), Walker showed a good agility-strength combo and turned what looked to be a no gain play into a 10 yard first down.
Seattle Seahawks
| QB Matt Hasselbeck, Pass: 25 - 34 - 198 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 4 - 31 - 0 |
Hasselbeck had a rough start, but was able to get enough going to finish with a decent stat line, and a win for the Seahawks. Nothing seemed to be working early on: Nate Burleson couldn't find an easy pass; the Seahawks had terrible field position; Hasselbeck had the ball knocked out; then he was sacked. It was a tough start. Near the end of the first quarter, the Seahawks recovered a muffed punt, and Hasselbeck capitalized with a very nice throw to Deion Branch in the end zone. After that point, Hasselbeck was more effective but not consistently. On some drives, he seemed to have the defense on their heels, and on others he was running for his life. No one go to receiver stepped up in this game, but Hasselbeck spread the ball to ten different players.
| QB Seneca Wallace, Pass: 1 - 1 - 7 - 0 TD / 0 INT |
Wallace completed one pass, when he entered the game in the Seahawks version of the Wildcat formation.
| RB Julius Jones, Rush: 20 - 67 - 0, Rec: 5 - -3 - 0 (5 targets) |
Jones returned from injury and started the game. How's this for a welcome back present: On his first carry, from his own one yard line, Jones barely avoids going down in the end zone for a safety. He was getting some blocks from the offensive line, but looked far from explosive. The positive is that he is sneaky-quick; but seems to lack breakaway speed and is far too easy to take down. Overall, a steady day, and that's the good news.
| RB Justin Forsett, Rush: 5 - 9 - 0, Rec: 3 - 25 - 1 (3 targets) |
Forsett did not start, as Julius Jones returned to action, and Forsett was recovering from an injury of his own. Forsett only carried the ball five times, but was on the field late in the game, which shows that the Seahawks do value him. He also found the end zone in the first half with a good scamper on a screen play.
| RB Louis Rankin, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets) |
Rankin had no carries but did have one catch. He is third on the depth chart, but evidently showed enough promise while Julius Jones was sidelined that the Seahawks wanted him in the mix.
| WR Nate Burleson, Rec: 5 - 54 - 0 (7 targets) |
On the opening drive, Burleson looked confused as Hasselbeck threw to a perfect opening in zone coverage, but of course he wasn't near the ball. He ended the day as the Seahawk's most productive receiver, but that's not saying much.
| WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Rec: 5 - 37 - 0 (7 targets) |
Houshmandzadeh had a very quiet game, with his requisite red zone look and no touchdowns. He got a lot of looks -- and most of his catches -- in the final minutes.
| WR Deion Branch, Rec: 1 - 7 - 1 (5 targets) |
Branch made a good catch in back of end zone, getting behind the coverage, and using his speed to get a half step ahead and catch the ball. This would be his only catch of the game, however. He had a chance to pull one in late in the game (which was still tied) that would have put the Seahawks in field goal position with under a minute to go - but it went through his hands.
| WR Ben Obomanu, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (1 targets) |
Obomanu showed he can catch the ball when given the opportunity. But he is currently buried on the depth chart.
| WR Deon Butler, Rec: 1 - 32 - 0 (1 targets) |
Butler is seldom used, but caught a big 32-yard reception down the sideline to seal the game.
| TE John Carlson, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (1 targets) |
Carlson was not an offensive threat in this game. At all.