John Madden picks 49ers' offensive line as Week 7's best

After a 13-6 win against the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers offensive line has won the Week 7 Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award for the second time this season.

49ers P Andy Lee named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

The 49ers beat the Seahawks in a defensive battle on Thursday, and punter Andy Lee was recognized by the NFL for his contributions.

49ers vs Seahawks postgame: One-dimensional offense out-slugs Seattle

A further look at how good the 49ers' running game remains and how bad the passing game has become.

49ers vs. Seahawks: Jim Harbaugh's decision caused $75 million Vegas swing?

Jim Harbaugh's decision to decline a safety cost an estimated $75 million swing in betting.

Seahawks vs. 49ers 2012: Frank Gore, second half adjustments key win

The 49ers trailed at the half but allowed zero points during the game's final 30 minutes.

Frank Gore injury: 49ers RB has bruised ribs

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore suffered bruised ribs in Thursday's victory against the Seattle Seahawks, but the injury doesn't concern him too much.

49ers vs. Seahawks postgame: Game was as advertised, though Alex Smith's regression is cause for concern

The Thursday Night Football showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks went as advertised, save for another poor performance from quarterback Alex Smith.

49ers vs. Seahawks final score: San Francisco wins at home, 13-6

The 49ers won the battle of the defenses as both defenses showed up but the 49ers' offense was able to get the one touchdown needed to pull out the win.

49ers vs. Seahawks score: Alex Smith drives San Francisco to 10-6 lead

The San Francisco 49ers have taken a 10-6 lead over the Seattle Seahawks early in the 4th quarter thanks to a big drive led by Alex Smith. The 49ers started from their own 14 after the defense stopped the Seahawks on San Francisco's 43-yard line.

Smith found Frank Gore for 15 yards to get San Francisco to the 29, then found Kendall Hunter for 11 yards. A Gore rush and a Seattle encroachment penalty led to San Francisco entering Seahawks territory. After a few more big plays from Gore, Smith found Michael Crabtree for a crucial third-down conversion and finished off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown reception to Delanie Walker.

It looked like San Francisco was about to clinch the game after Dashon Goldson intercepted a Russell Wilson throw, and steady doses of Smith and Gore set the 49ers up in the red zone. But on 3rd-and-goal, Smith rolled left and threw an interception right to Brandon Browner.

49ers vs. Seahawks score: Seattle nurses 6-3 halftime lead over San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers trail the Seattle Seahawks 6-3 at halftime. After two long drives that ended in field goals for both sides to end the first quarter, Seattle responded with another scoring drive early in the second. Russell Wilson found Ben Obomanu for a 37-yard catch. That set up another Steven Hauschka 35-yard field goal to put Seattle up 6-3. Neither team has scored since. The 49ers did not pick up a first down in the second quarter, going three-and-out three times.

Alex Smith is 7-for-15 for 59 yards, and Wilson has been slightly more explosive, completing 6-of-13 passes for 103 yards. Marshawn Lynch has 55 rushing yards for the Seahawks, Frank Gore 39 rushing yards. The Seahawks have outgained the 49ers 177-115 and have nine first downs to six for San Francisco. Seattle and San Francisco are both 4-2 on the season and the winner will move into first place in the NFC West.

49ers vs. Seahawks score: Seattle and San Francisco tied at 3-3

The San Francisco 49ers started out on the right path with two nice rushes by Frank Gore to get the first down. Alex Smith connected with Michael Crabtree for four yards and Randy Moss for 14 yards and a third down conversion. The drive stalled from there, and the 49ers were forced to punt from Seattle's 41.

Seattle started their first drive of the game from their own four, but Russell Wilson managed to find Michael Robinson for 12 yards, Doug Baldwin for seven yards, and Marshawn Lynch for 13 yards. A San Francisco personal foul put the Seahawks in field goal range, and Steven Hauschka put up a 52-yard field goal to give Seattle a 3-0 lead.

The 49ers responded with a tying field goal of their own as Gore and Kendall Hunter responded with some big gains to march San Francisco down the field. Crabtree had some nice yards after contact too.

A David Akers 38-yard field goal tied things up at 3-3.

49ers vs. Seahawks inactives: Brandon Jacobs active for San Francisco

The 49ers and Seahawks have announced which players are out for Thursday Night Football.

Week 7 NFL picks, Seahawks vs. 49ers: Experts siding with San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers enter Thursday night's game with the Seattle Seahawks on a mission to rebound from the 26-3 loss to the New York Giants. Many experts are siding with the Niners in the game.

Seahawks vs. 49ers: Game time, TV schedule, injury updates and more

Previewing this week's Thursday night battle between the 49ers and Seahawks.

49ers vs. Seahawks: Scott Tolzien not surprised by Russell Wilson's success

Former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Scott Tolzien knew his college replacement was pretty good.

San Francisco 49ers injury report: Joe Staley, Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs questionable

San Francisco 49ers lineman Joe Staley is questionable with a concussion and receiver Mario Manningham has the same status as he recovers from a shoulder injury. Brandon Jacobs is also questionable.

49ers' Vic Fangio says pass rush not an issue

The 49ers possess one of the best defensive units in football, but it's not showing up in the sack and turnover columns.

NFL Schedule 2012, Week 7: 49ers host Seahawks; Jaguars visit Raiders

The 49ers kick off Week 7 of the NFL schedule when they host the Seahawks on national television Thursday.

49ers need to get back to old school football to defeat Seahawks

San Francisco will need to go back to fundamentals on defense to defeat the upstart Seattle Seahawks at home.

49ers vs. Seahawks: Will San Francisco return to their identity on offense?

The 49ers are on a short week after being completely owned in all phases of the game thanks to the New York Giants. They face the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football just four days after the demoralizing loss mentioned above. This doesn't give them much time to put together a game-plan, but maybe that's a good thing.

In the 49ers two losses this year one theme has been consistent: they seemed to get away from their identity on offense.

During both losses, one to the Minnesota Vikings and the aforementioned loss from last Sunday, the 49ers seemed to come out throwing. Against the Giants they threw the ball twice as many times as they attempted runs in the first half. Even when the game wasn't getting out of hand, the 49ers continued to try to throw the ball...as if they felt like they had to score quickly to close the gap.

The results were not good in either game. Telling Alex Smith that he has to carry the offense with his right arm isn't the best approach. Sure, he can score a touchdown when you need it...but showing him a scoreboard that has you down big-time only serves to make him press and force throws.

That's exactly what happened against the Giants as Smith threw an uncharacteristic three interceptions, all of which were poor decisions and inaccurate passes. If the 49ers want to continue their winning ways, they'll need to stop trying so hard and get back to what they're known for: running the football.

Every one knows they want to line up over 2,000lbs. of beef and run it right at you. So what. Try and stop it. More specific: make us stop it.

That's when you throw the ball. When teams have to sell-out to stop your run-game. A rushing attack that gashed the Giants on a few plays in the first half yet saw Frank Gore with zero second-half carries as the 49ers appeared desperate.

If the plan all along was to sling the ball around all day, I have to say it wasn't a good plan. At least, if that was the plan, there has to be the option to "Plan B" things and go back to some familiar plays, some ground-and-pound plays that keep the football safe, burn clock, and move down the field.

I'm not sure why Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman got away from this on Sunday, and certainly there were failures on defense and special teams as well...but if the team wants to have as much success as they did in 2011, they need to stick with what got them there, even if the opposition knows it's coming.

49ers' Joe Staley hopes to play Thursday

San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Joe Staley is awaiting medical clearance to play against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday.

49ers vs. Seahawks pick and prediction

Making a pick for the Thursday Night Football matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.

49ers vs. Seahawks betting lines & odds

The 49ers are seven-point favorites over the Seahawks on Thursday night.