San Francisco 49ers: Ted Ginn, Defense Come out to Play in Week 1 Win

It was a tale of four different quarters for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. But in whatever unorthodox way the 49ers did it, it does not matter as they defeated the Seattle Seahawks 33-17 in Week 1.

The first quarter started with a rough first defensive drive and ended with a 49ers fumble and recovery in Seattle territory.

The second quarter was centered around the third-down play, which the 49ers could by no means execute. That lack of execution led to four trips to the red zone and three field goals. The last red-zone visit was a sneak in by QB Alex Smith for the touchdown. The defense continued to be the story into halftime, and the 49ers led 16-0.

The second half was rude.

In typical past 49ers fashion, they made things interesting. This time, it was a lack of physicality on the defensive line that did them in. Marshawn Lynch was able to find holes on his way into 49ers' territory, and it resulted in a touchdown for Seattle.

That touchdown was soon followed by a couple three-and-outs for Smith and the 49ers, and the Seahawks turned their momentum into three more points after a field goal.

It continued with six minutes to play in the game when QB Tarvaris Jackson dumped the ball off to Baldwin on his way to a 55-yard TD reception.

19-17.

However, it was San Francisco that finished.

Ted Ginn, Jr. turned it up for back-to-back kick returns for touchdowns within a minute of each other, and the 49ers were able to pull away, 33-17.

For San Francisco, it was a great way to start the season, as it made a huge impression on both the fans and its own players.

Jim Harbaugh played extremely conservative in his first game as an NFL head coach, but we got a sense that he was learning and growing at the same time.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio made quite an impression in his first game with the 49ers. The defense set the tone for the team and set the table for the offense, as it was able to lead several drives into Seattle territory from good field position.

The Seahawks did not get past the 50-yard line until early in the third quarter.

San Francisco 49ers' Need for Improvement

As much as Smith's 15-of-20 for 124 yards was moderately impressive, the lack of confidence Harbaugh showed in his quarterback in the red zone—and when it counted—was a little disturbing.

After the 49ers caught a huge break with the roughing the kicker penalty inside the Seattle 5-yard line, Harbaugh drew up three straight inside handoffs for Frank Gore. Not a single pass was thrown and not a single pass was even thought of from the sideline.

Too risky for Smith, evidently, and I do not see many disagreeing with Harbaugh's decision.

San Francisco 49ers' Third Downs

Third-down efficiency: 1-of-12.

That must change.

Like it has been said, Harbaugh played an extremely conservative game on offense in Week 1. The 49ers won with it but could have just as easily lost with it.

The 1-12 on third downs looks bad for Smith, but it was the play calling from Harbaugh and others that make that stat look real ugly and disconcerting.

In the end, the 49ers won, although there is much work to be done on both sides of the ball if they want to contend with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2.