Postgame notes: 49ers edge Seahawks

Following the 49ers 19-17 triumph against the Seahawks on Saturday, I felt mixed emotions.

On the bright side, the 49ers are in prime position to secure the NFC’s second seed. I’ve stressed the importance of this many times, and as a 49ers fan I’m relieved that they are likely to secure a first-round bye.

I think all 49ers fans wanted to get the No. 2 seed because we knew that the Saints are almost impossible to beat in the Superdome. But now it’s imperative because the 49ers need the rest.

Delanie Walker and Kyle Williams suffered what appear to be brutal injuries. I’m guessing they both sustained concussions. Justin Smith left the game for a series but returned soon after.

Add Patrick Willis and Ted Ginn, who did not play against Seattle, and it’s obvious that the 49ers could use the rest.

As for the game, the Seahawks were the first team this year to run the ball on the 49ers. Marshawn Lynch was falling forward nearly every play. The 49ers were lucky to only be down by a touchdown at halftime.

The key play of the first half was the 49ers goal-line stand. On third-and-goal from the 1, the Seahawks bootlegged Jackson, and he tried to run it in. Carlos Rogers stopped him at the 1, and the Seahawks settled for a field goal.

The 49ers absolutely dominated the Seahawks in every facet in the second half. On the 49ers opening drive, Gore’s 4-yard touchdown plunge tied the game and gave San Francisco all the momentum. But soon after, the 49ers settled for two field goals deep in Seattle territory, taking a 16-10 lead. The play calling was absolutely conservative, whether Harbaugh admits it or not.

After Alex Smith was nearly intercepted by Earl Thomas in the end zone, Harbaugh never gave Smith a chance to make a play in the red zone.

Harbaugh’s field goal plan was working until Andy Lee’s punt was blocked, setting up a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Lynch.

At the time, I felt that the 49ers were incredibly unlucky, but it was a good precursor to the playoffs. The 49ers will not be able to sit on six-point leads for an entire quarter during the postseason.

The 49ers answered when Michael Crabtree caught a 41-yard pass from Alex Smith. Once again, the 49ers then went conservative, deciding to take the points and give Seattle a chance to win the game with a field goal.

This left a bad taste in my mouth. I thought Harbaugh had more trust in Smith. I thought the 49ers offense was more dynamic than the Trent Dilfer-led Ravens of the early 2000s.

I thought wrong.

The 49ers defense was able to hold on against the Seahawks, but I’m not confident it will do the same against the elite teams in the NFL.

Stats to note:
The 49ers allowed their first rushing touchdown of the season. The fewest touchdowns allowed in a season is two, so the 49ers can still break that record by keeping the Rams out of the end zone next week.
With 42 field goals, David Akers has broken the NFL record for most field goals in a season.
The 49ers have not scored a first half touchdown in seven games. In those seven games, David Akers has kicked 17 first half field goals.
Lynch (21 carries, 107 yards) ended the 49ers 36-game streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher.