Matchup Mania - Week 4

Scouts Inc. has their matchup breakdown up. Here are the nuggets of knowledge they've thrown to us:
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When the Seahawks have the ball
Rushing: Seattle has been extremely inconsistent running the football...Alexander looks like a far cry from the player he was a few years ago...The biggest reason this team is struggling is that it is no longer getting it done up front...Seattle is not a physical run offense right now, so look for it to stick with its patented sweep-type runs trying to get Alexander out on the edges. San Francisco will present some problems this week with its 3-4 defense. Look for San Francisco to pressure the edges of the Seattle offense this week in an effort to keep Alexander bottled up between the tackles. Alexander is not physical enough to run inside and he has not been breaking tackles or running over defenders. The goal for the 49ers this week will be to funnel everything back inside to waiting ILB Patrick Willis.

Passing: The Seahawks were able to open up the offense this past week against a bad Cincinnati defense this past week and the result was more big pass plays. Look for San Francisco to do a better job of mixing up its coverages and it will also play much more physical on the outside. Look for the corners to get up tight and play more press coverage this week. Branch, Burleson and Bobby Engram are not physical and do not like a lot of contact.

When the 49ers have the ball
Rushing: If the 49ers are going to get their run game going this week, they at least have to present the fact that they can stretch the field vertically...They have to take a few shots deep early to loosen up the Seattle defense...Look for San Francisco to counter the inside run blitz by trying to run the ball outside this week...The 49ers have not been able to get Gore to daylight so they may try to use more sweeps and tosses this week to get Gore out in space where his speed and athletic ability can give issues to a Seattle defense that struggled against the run this year.

Passing: Seattle will do a lot more shifting this week in an effort to confuse Smith, who has really struggled through the first three games. Look for Seattle to bring pressure from the outside in an effort to keep him in the pocket and not let him roll out...One of the other issues for the 49ers is the lack of speed at the WR position. Look for the Seattle corners to squat on underneath routes and force the 49ers to try to beat them over the top.

Special Teams

The San Francisco cover units were awful in Pittsburgh last week and Seattle has notoriously struggled on special teams in recent seasons, so this will be an interesting matchup this week. San Francisco must win this battle if it is going to win this game.

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This game is going to be about the Niners using their speed to overwhelm Seattle on the edges. Hopefully the game plan Nolan & Co. are putting together has us opening things up on both sides of the ball.