49ers vs. Seahawks: A prospector's guide

The 49ers travel to the Pacific Northwest to square off with one of their biggest current rivals, as they face the Seattle Seahawks in a game with potentially sizable playoff implications for both teams. A win for the 49ers locks up the division and gets them to the precipice of a first round bye, while a loss potentially knocks them down to the third seed. The Seahawks hold the first wild card spot, with a game lead over the Vikings, Bears, Cowboys and Giants. A win clinches a playoff spot for the Seahawks.

This game has developed into a spirited rivalry, although the 49ers have won four straight dating back to 2010. Three of those four were in San Francisco, while the fourth was last year's Week 16 thriller up in Seattle. I'm fine with another thriller, so long as the 49ers pull out the W.

This won't be an easy one for the 49ers as they face a Seahawks squad that is playing some great football right now. Russell Wilson is settling into a groove and Marshawn Lynch is putting together a thoroughly dominating campaign, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and totaling 1,379 yards to date. The Seahawks defense has its share of question marks, particularly with Richard Sherman having his appeal heard on Friday. The line is one on this game and the over/under is only 39 1/2, so oddsmakers are looking at this as a pretty sizable defensive battle.

Coaching Connections

• 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh and Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll last faced each other in a Pac-10 matchup at the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium (11/14/09). Harbaugh led Stanford, 55-21, over Carroll and USC. Harbaugh held a 2-1 edge over Carroll in their 3 meetings from 2007-09.

• Carroll, a native of San Francisco, CA, coached for the 49ers from 1995-1996, serving as the defensive coordinator.

• 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari held the same title with the Seahawks from 2008-2009.

• Solari and Carroll also worked together with the 49ers from 1995-96, Solari was the tight ends/assistant offensive line coach and Carroll was the defensive coordinator.

• Seahawks linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. (1994-2000) and secondary coach Kris Richard (2005-06) played for the 49ers.

• 49ers wide receivers coach John Morton coached at USC under Pete Carroll (2007-10) with Seahawks Kris Richard (2008-09), assistant offensive line coach Pat Ruel (2005-09), special teams coach Brian Schneider (2009) and secondary assistant coach Rocky Seto (1999-09).

• 49ers running backs coach Tom Rathman held the same position for the Oakland Raiders (2007-08) when Seahawks offensive line/assistant coach Tom Cable was head coach.

• 49ers special teams assistant Tracy Smith is the son of Seahawks quarterbacks coach Carl Smith.

  49ERS-SEATTLE CONNECTIONS

• 49ers secondary coach Ed Donatell coached at the University of Washington (Graduate Assisant - 1981-82; Defensive Coordinator - 2008).

• 49ers special teams assistant Tracy Smith was a coaching assistant with the Seahawks in 2011.

• 49ers S Dashon Goldson attended the University of Washington (2004-06).

SEATTLE-NOR CAL CONNECTIONS

• Seahawks tight ends coach Pat McPherson is a native of Santa Clara, CA, was a linebacker at Santa Clara University from 1991-92 and a quality control/defensive volunteer for the 49ers in 1996.
• Seahawks RB Michael Robinson spent 4 seasons (2006-09) with the Niners, including two years as a special teams captain.
• Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin, 2007-10, TE Evan Moore, 2003-07 and CB richard Sherman, 2006-09, attended Stanford, and all played for 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh.
• Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch (2004-06) and DT Brandon Mebane (2003-06) played at Cal.
• Seahawks S Chris Maragos originally signed with 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2010, and spent the entire season with the club.

Series Highlights
Matchups: 27
Series record: 49ers lead series 14-13
49ers Away record vs. Seahawks: Series tied 7-7
First Meeting: 9/26/76, 49ers win 37-21, at Sea.
Last Meeting: 10/18/12, 49ers win 13-6, at SF
Current Streak: Won 4
Longest 49ers win Streak: 4 (12/12/10 - Present)
Longest Seahawks win Streak: 6 (10/12/03 - 12/11/05)
Most 49ers Points: 40 (12/12/10): 40-21, at SF
Most Seahawks Points: 42 (11/7/04): 42-27, at SF
49ers Shutouts: None
Seahawks Shutouts: 2 (Last 11/12/07), Seahawks win 24-0, at Sea.

2012 Statistics