Every team, in every division, in the NFL has goals. They have in-game goals, quarter-season goals, and (for some) playoff goals. I believe that the 49ers should have one primary goal that should dominate their planning all season long: avoiding playing in Seattle in the playoffs.

The Clink is a tough place to play, even when Seattle isn't very good, but when Seattle is good... goodness, we've just witnessed what can happen.

Two years ago, a very mediocre Seahawks team beat the defending world champion Saints. Were the 'hawks better? No. They were, however, playing in Seattle having won the division at 7-9.

Each individual game isn't significant and as brutal as this past loss was, it doesn't spell disaster. It should, however, put a great deal of fear into the coaching staff, fans, and players about the prospect of playing in Seattle. Avoiding that should be our fundamental goal all season long. We should draft, scheme, and prepare with winning our division...

I realize that making the playoffs is always the goal but we should fanatically strive to win our division and thus avoid the possibility of playing in that hell-hole of a stadium they call the Clink.