Seahawks at 49ers: 7 Things to Watch in Week 1

The Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers to open the 2011 season, a rematch of the 2010 opener. The differences being Jim Harbaugh is the 49ers head coach, Seattle is not the team starting a new regime and the Seahawks are on the road. 

Right out of the gates Seattle faces a game with playoff implications, but against an opponent they really don't know much about.  Seattle played tough on the road to open the preseason, winning their opener in San Diego. The Seahawks will need to bring it for four quarters against Jim Harbaugh's 49ers if they are to walk out of Candlestick with a victory.

Here are seven things to watch as Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh renew their rivalry.

Contain the 49ers Running Game

The run defense faces their first tough test in Frank Gore, who has averaged just shy of 128 yards from scrimmage per game against Seattle, and a 49ers backfield that had a strong preseason.

The Seahawks head into the game with a game plan to stop the run, but also realize because of the unfamiliarity with the 49ers, adjustments will be necessary.

The Seahawks big three of Red Bryant, Brandon Mebane and Alan Branch will aim to control the line of scrimmage and not give Gore space to find the second level—containing screen passes will be key. Gore's combination of power and burst will be a good barometer for this front line; the team will know more about their depth in the interior after week one. 

The defensive line is healthy going into week 1; the Seahawks have a minor concern because new starting middle linebacker David Hawthorne has been recovering from a knee injury and it's unclear exactly how much he will play.

Rookie K.J .Wright has been strong filling in this week and Carroll has confidence in the linebacker. He's been sharper than a rookie "should be" in the situation, especially when making his calls and handling the mental side of the game. What makes this transition even more surprising is that Wright is not a natural middle linebacker, he faces quite the first test against Gore.

Gore is no longer the only weapon in the backfield. Rookie Kendall Hunter was a two-time All-American in college and has impressed with his vision, explosiveness and toughness in the preseason. Expect him to see a small portion of the load and potentially Anthony Dixon as well, who had a career high 60 rushing yards versus Seattle last year.

If Seattle can limit Gore's yards after contact, tackle soundly and prevent him from getting in space in the passing game, Seattle should be able to contain the running backs, as long as they don't allow one of the change of pace backs to bust a big play. 

Mix Pressure Early and Get Alex Smith out of Sync

Even though the fans booed Alex Smith after his first pass attempt in week 14 last season versus Seattle, he ended up establishing a rhythm and finishing 17 of 27 with three touchdowns. Seattle can not let him get off to another fast start, which involved finding Vernon Davis multiple times on the opening drive, including for the catch and run touchdown.  

Like the Seahawks, the 49ers offensive line struggled this preseason, they are starting a new center surrounded by four returning starters. With these struggles, they are expecting teams to pressure them heavily early in the season.

Seattle could start by testing the new center, showing something different pre-snap than what will occur post snap, or they could send multiple blitzes up the middle, forcing the 49ers to bring in extra protection.

Gus Bradley needs to do a sound job of mixing types of pressures with stunts and twists, varying who blitzes—defensive backs, linebackers—and where they come from.

Most teams ran vanilla defenses in the preseason and Seattle is no exception. Regardless of whether or not they can successfully drop seven in coverage and create pressure, expect the Seahawks to experiment early, trying to find the weak spots in the offense. The key will be to remain aggressive without exposing the young secondary to a big play early.    

Keep Track of the 49ers Receivers and Tight Ends

The best advice the Seahawks can get for how to defend this pass offense is from rookie receiver Doug Baldwin and rookie cornerback Richard Sherman, as both played at Stanford under now 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. The Seahawks' staff picked their brains earlier in the week as they prepared the team to study Stanford game film.

The 49ers have a big group of receivers, the addition of Braylon Edwards giving them their most dangerous group in recent seasons.

Brandon Browner is receiving his first NFL start at corner and is focused on doing his job. Whether the Seahawks give him help with a safety over the top, play zone or force him to play on an island remains to be seen. His size will be crucial in matching up with Edwards, Joshua Morgan and possibly Michael Crabtree.

Ted Ginn is a speedster and it will be interesting to see if Seattle uses Walter Thurmond, Earl Thomas or a combination to match up with the downfield threat.

While Alex Smith has historically been a quarterback who throws well to his backs and tight ends, he's had a strong camp with his receivers. It will be crucial for Seattle's young corners to hold their own, especially if Michael Crabtree proves to be healthy as the fourth weapon. 

If this short interview with Ginn is any indication of what to expect from the offense, the 49ers receivers could be a versatile group of players that can play multiple positions; a unit that looks to create plays with movement, picks and screens.

Vernon Davis is an athletic freak of a tight end and Seattle will have to mix Kam Chancellor and the linebackers in coverage to give him a variety of looks. Backup tight end Delanie Walker is also a threat in the passing game. If Seattle can take them out of the game, Smith will be without a key safety valve (Walker) and down the seam weapon (Davis).

If Seattle can take away Smith's main weapons, they can disrupt his rhythm and stop drives. The young secondary must remain disciplined in their first start together, or an experienced group of 49ers pass catchers will take advantage.  

Can Captain Tavares Jack and the Offense Establish a Rhythm on Offense?

It's a given the Seahawks offensive line must improve in both pass protection and creating push in the run game. I look forward to seeing James Carpenter on his natural side, likely filling in at left guard for Robert Gallery, and the supposed nasty of Breno Giacomini on the field at right tackle.

But let's be realistic, second year left tackle Russell Okung is being referred to as a "seasoned veteran" this week as Seattle has three lineman receiving their first NFL start. The 49ers were admittedly vanilla on defense during the preseason and coordinator Vic Fangio is going to test the Seahawks' young group, by contrast the Seahawks have been studying Stanford's defense under Harbaugh. It is a battle of preparation. 

Tarvaris Jackson is Carroll's guy, for now. He needs to be confident and careful with the football, playing within the offense, if Carroll believes in Jackson as much as the public optimism leads on, Jackson will be given the opportunity to showcase his athleticism and strong arm. The 49ers will be without starting safety DaShon Goldson and are testing new pieces in the secondary. Big play opportunities could exist.

An obvious key for Seattle is getting the running game going with fresh-legs in Marshawn Lynch. This will help set up the play action pass, allowing Seattle to move the quarterback and offset the 49ers' pressure. 

Seattle did not adjust their protections during games in the preseason, the objective being to learn as much about their lineman as possible. It will be interesting to see how many protection packages the Seahawks built into the game plan, but also how many adjustments are needed after they see what the 49ers execute.

If the 49ers pressure heavily early, Seattle needs to involve the screen game with the backs much like they did in the opening drive versus Oakland last week. Getting the ball out quickly and capitalizing on the 49ers' aggression will be paramount. 

Seattle must also remain aggressive and begin to learn their offensive strengths. Expect to see new looks and more variety from the playbook as a full game plan will now be in effect. 

Get Zach Miller, Mike Williams and Golden Tate Rolling Early

The Seahawks need to get their main receiving weapons involved early and often, especially given the presumed absence of Sidney Rice.

The 6'5" Williams has a minimum four-inch height advantage over the 49ers cornerbacks. Without Rice, Seattle needs to work their size advantage. Williams struggled with early game drops and developed the nasty habit of being stopped on the one-yard line, both issues stemming from the first game of 2010.

As Williams is on his comeback path and focused on being more than just a 65 catch, two touchdown receiver, this is an important game for him to get off to a strong start. 

Zach Miller will be key in short yardage and third-down situations. We saw over the course of the preseason Seattle likes to move the quarterback and send a tight end into the flat for the short catch and run. They often use pre-snap motion that goes the opposite direction of the play to draw the defense. Newly signed 49ers safety Donte Whitner has been looking forward to this match up all week, knowing his play will be crucial in stopping Seattle on third down. Miller needs to win this matchup.

Golden Tate is the third choice simply because the Seahawks need to put him in the position to continue the momentum he created last week. The organization has big plans for him to work out of the slot and establishing him in game one, as a runner as well, will help open up the offense.

Getting these three involved early should stretch the field horizontally and force the 49ers to cover the middle of the field. Even without Rice, Seattle will have open shots downfield if these three guys can bring the defense closer to the line of scrimmage.  

The Battle of the Left Sides

The team that can gain an advantage on the left side of the offensive line will win one of the key battles in the game. As previously mentioned, the Seahawks left side likely has a brand-new combination together in Okung and Carpenter. For the 49ers, tackle Joe Staley and guard Mike Iupati are looking to take a step forward this season.

What makes this comparison intriguing is the left side of both defenses are potent rushing the passer. Defensive ends Justin Smith and Ray McDonald are a formidable duo and left side linebackers Patrick Willis—an all around factor for Seattle to account for—and Parys Haralson had 10 sacks combined in 2010, not to mention rookie Aldon Smith will come in for pass rushing situations.

For Seattle, Chris Clemons and Raheem Brock will likely both play the left side and Seattle could even experiment using Leroy Hill or Dexter Davis to pressure off the edge. Additionally, Seattle will bring eight men in box enough that the offensive line will have to account for that player as a factor; the Seahawks will dial up a couple of corner and safety blitzes.

Both teams hope they can win the battle on the left side of the line of scrimmage due to the presence of their star players. Furthermore, Seattle is anxious to see how Russell Okung responds to his first playing time after the ankle injury.

For the Seahawks to set the tone on offense, they will need to win this battle on defense, they must make sure the 49ers left side lineman don't constantly win the line of scrimmage and block well on the second level.  

Fast Start, Smart Halftime, Strong Finish

Pete Carroll is 4-1 in regular season openers, crediting strong camp preparation as the reason for the fast starts. Because of the extended off-season, the coaches had more time to game plan for the first games of the year, Seattle has been working on the game plan for months. 

The Seahawks' first trip to San Francisco under the new regime fell way below expectations, the Seahawks looked lackluster on the field as they struggled with footing. The 49ers never gave Seattle a chance to get into the game.

There is no doubt that many of the 49ers players remember the week 1 whipping they endured in Seattle last season. For many of these players, it's a chance at true payback.

Furthermore, the 49ers have the advantage that the Seahawks had last season. With the lack of game film on Jim Harbaugh coached teams, Seattle is guessing to an extent.

It's crucial Seattle makes strong in-game adjustments and capitalizes on the first half information to make halftime adjustments. Carroll noted in his Friday presser that the team executed the game-plan well in practice, the intensity and anticipation in practice this week was heightened.

Jim Harbaugh will pride his football team on being tough to beat, for 60 minutes. Just as Pete Carroll was able to do in 2010, the 49ers will look to start their new regime on the right foot.

The Seahawks must weather the storm of the on-the-road, home opener emotion, ultimately finding a way to be competitive in the fourth quarter. Seattle lost all nine of their regular season games by 15 or more points, including their first road game, in 2010. A fast start, smart halftime and strong finish would help them kick both of those bad habits to start 2011.