Recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
The Seattle Seahawks beat the 49ers 31-6 at Qwest Field in Pete Carroll's debut. Matt Hasselbeck went 18-of-23 for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Marcus Trufant returned an Alex Smith interception 32 yards for a touchdown in the second half. Smith finished 26-of-45 for 225 yards and two interceptions. Frank Gore ran 17 times for 38 yards. The 49ers managed two Joe Nedney field goals and never reached the end zone. They fell to 0-1.[1][2][3]
Columnist recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Mike Singletary spent the offseason saying the 49ers were ready to win the NFC West. Sunday afternoon at Qwest Field they walked in as 3-point road favorites and walked out 31-6 losers.
Alex Smith threw two interceptions, one of them returned 32 yards for a touchdown by Marcus Trufant. Pete Carroll's Seattle debut produced a Matt Hasselbeck day of 170 yards and two touchdowns on 23 attempts. Frank Gore ran 17 times for 38 yards. Vernon Davis caught eight passes for 73 but was never a touchdown threat.
The 49ers got two field goals from Joe Nedney and nothing else. Trufant's pick-6 in the third quarter ended the suspense. Patrick Willis was the lone defender flying around in a game where the score got away in the second quarter. 0-1, and the public Super Bowl talk from training camp now has to live alongside the kind of opener that has the entire roster on notice for Sunday at home against New Orleans.
By the numbers
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Seahawks 31, 49ers 6. Margin: -25. Season opener.
* Alex Smith: 26-of-45 for 225, 0 TD, 2 INT, 52.5 rating.
* Marcus Trufant: 32-yard pick-6 of Alex Smith in 2H.
* Frank Gore: 17 carries for 38, long of 10.
* Vernon Davis: 8 catches for 73, no TD.
* Joe Nedney: 2 field goals.
* Matt Hasselbeck: 18-of-23 for 170, 2 TDs.
* Deion Branch: receiving TD.
* Patrick Willis: team-leading tackles.
* 49ers 0-1; Seahawks 1-0.
Film room
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
A 31-6 road loss in Pete Carroll's Seattle debut. The 49ers fall to 0-1 in an opener that came in with public Super Bowl expectations.
How it unfolded
Joe Nedney's field goal gave the 49ers a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Seattle answered with two Hasselbeck touchdown passes in the second quarter to take a 14-3 lead at halftime. Nedney added a 38-yard field goal to make it 14-6 in the third quarter. Then Marcus Trufant intercepted Alex Smith and returned it 32 yards for the touchdown that ended the competitive portion of the afternoon. Seattle added another touchdown drive and a field goal to close it.
The turning point
Trufant's pick-6 in the third quarter. With the 49ers down 14-6 and driving for the score that would have made it a one-score game in the second half, the interception return changed a possible 14-13 game into 21-6. The defense never got the offense back the football.
By the numbers
Alex Smith 225 passing yards on 45 attempts with two INTs and the 52.5 rating. Frank Gore 38 rushing yards on 17 carries. Vernon Davis 73 receiving yards on eight catches. Hasselbeck 170 passing yards on 23 attempts with two TDs. Marcus Trufant the pick-6.
Personnel watch
Michael Crabtree caught one pass for negative yardage. Brian Westbrook was inactive (signed late). The 49ers' new offensive line, with Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati starting as rookies, allowed pressure but only one sack. Patrick Willis led the team in tackles.
What it means
0-1 with Drew Brees and the defending Super Bowl champion Saints in Monday Night Football at Candlestick next week. The Singletary Super Bowl statement is now competing with the kind of opener that has the entire week's narrative pointed at quarterback play.
