49ers vs. Seahawks: Defensive Streaks in Peril Against Marshawn Lynch, 12th Man

The San Francisco 49ers face their toughest test to date in 2011 when they travel to Seattle on Christmas Eve to face off against the Seahawks, divisional rivals and playoff outsiders looking to get in.

The 49ers' defense carries a couple impressive streaks into the game that could be in peril against Marshawn Lynch and Seattle's 12th man: The 49ers have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 36 straight games, and more impressively, the 49ers haven't allowed a single rushing touchdown in all 14 games this season, an NFL record.

Lynch, for that matter, carries a streak of his own into this contest, having scored a touchdown in his last 10 games. When you throw Seattle's 12th man into the mix, you have a recipe for the 49ers' biggest test to date as the No. 1 seed in the NFC West attempts to become the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.

As if the 49ers needed any additional pressure in this game, they are tasked with keeping pace with the New Orleans Saints, who they lead by way of tie-breaker with the same record of 11-3. The Saints have reeled off six straight victories, and they look like they will finish 13-3.

Back to Lynch and the Seahawks rushing attack vs. the 49ers stifling run defense.

The Seahawks, after starting off the season with a dismal 0-2 record, have gone on to win six out of their last ten games during Lynch's touchdown streak. During this streak, Lynch scored a rushing touchdown in nine out of those 10 games.

Additionally, Lynch has averaged 87 rushing yards per contest during his 10-game touchdown streak.

During the same period of time, however, the 49ers run defense kept things tight on their end. They have held their opponents' leading rusher in each game to just over 48 yards per game.

This impressive run for the 49ers' dominant defense is bound to come to an end at some point, and the upcoming game on Christmas Eve seems like the most likely time for it to happen this season.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Lynch will break these streaks, but I am saying he has the best chance to do so.

Qwest Field in Seattle is already famous for breaking great teams. So is Lynch, for that matter. His game against the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2010 NFL playoffs will go down as one of the most impressive runs in NFL postseason history.

The Seahawks have won three straight games heading into this holiday special and five out of their last six. They are also attempting to win out and hope for some help to slide into the playoffs in similar fashion to last year.

One of the more interesting aspects of this game that could play a part in Lynch's attempt to break the 49ers' defensive streaks is the relationship between the two head coaches. 

Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll aren't exactly new to playing against one another. They spent a few years trying to beat each others' brains out in the Pac-10 (now the Pac-12), and most people are familiar with the, "What's your deal?" incident.

One final note: Patrick Willis has said he hopes to play on Saturday in Seattle. His presence in the lineup will surely bolster the 49ers' chances at holding onto the streaks.

Conclusion

I expect this game to be chippy and full of playoff intensity. I expect the Seahawks to try to establish Lynch and the running game throughout the contest unless the 49ers pull way ahead in the first two quarters.

I don't expect Lynch to break the 36-game less-than-100 yards streak, and I won't be surprised to see the 49ers hold him to under 75 yards. 

I expect the Seahawks to challenge the 49ers a couple of times in the red zone with the running game, and I won't be surprised to see the 14-game streak of no rushing touchdowns allowed finally come to an end in Seattle.

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