Keys to the Game - Week Two

Written by Chris Sullivan | 20 September 2009

How are the Seahawks going to pull off the road victory today? Well, following my simple five-step plan would be a good start:

1. Keep Hasselbeck Clean - This may end up being a key to the game every week, but the 49ers have a much improved pass-rush this year. If the O-Line shows up this week like they did last week, he should be okay. Hasselbeck is going to need to find Housh, Nasty Nate and JC and find them quickly. I would expect quite a few screen passes this week, too. Deon "Eddie Royal" Butler, anyone?
2. Win the Turnover Battle - Last week could have gone a lot differently if we were playing a better team. No stupid turnovers, especially not momentum killers, can be tolerated today. The 49ers don't have a great offense, but they've got a quick enough defense to turn those turnovers into points. Just ask Patrick Willis. Also, as stated a second ago, they don't have a great offense: there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to force some turnovers this week.
3. Contain Frank Gore - This requires the front four to be stout and possibly larger (Red Bryant, can you hear me?), but it will also require speed and solid tackling from the linebackers. Lets see if Curry can get under Gore's skin as much as he did S-Jax, yeah? If Gore can't get going, that offense won't be able to either.
4. Discipline in the trenches - Especially for the offensive line, playing on the road in a hostile location. If our D-Line can get penetration and their cannot, we should be able to take the 49ers down like we did the Rams last week.
5. Show No Mercy - The 49ers are suddenly everyone's favorite team because they knocked off a stunningly mediocre Arizona Cardinals team that most had picked to repeat in the West. La-dee-da. Let's show the 49ers and the media what NFC West dominance actually looks like.

Comments (7)

Go 'Hawks
written by Riggle, September 20, 2009

I couldn't agree with you more Chris.
I would only add that the 'Hawks need to establish a ground game early to take advantage of play action pass and great big plays.
Go 'Hawks!!!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

everyone likes the 49ers
written by DougH, September 20, 2009

I can't find anyone in the media to pick the Hawks.
Amazing how little respect we get. We need this game in more ways than imaginable. But, losing it will make us disappear from everyones radar, which could be a good thing in some ways. If we do win, then we will start getting some coverage.

I think Lock starts, but the first time he gets beat, Walt goes in, and that will be the end of that. I think Vallos plays and Spencer stays down indefinately, unless we get beat inside. I hope not, but I just don't know how good the 9ers D really is. I did hear that the Tards dropped a million balls, and that if they had caught some of them, the game wouldn't have been a win for the 9ers. Then I suppose the media wouldn't be all gaga about them. Nothing like a good ass-kicking from a team like the Hawks to set the media straight eh?

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Stop V-D
written by montana hawk, September 20, 2009

One more thing chris, even nastier than warts, the clap, gohna, and the herp, is V-D, Vernon Davis. We can't let him and his nasty aditude hurt our game, and get out of controll. Whats more effective than penicillin and liquid nitrogen? Hopefully curry, lucas, or Grant right?

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Don Millard, September 20, 2009

I know we are supposed to be worried about this game but I see us as a better team top to bottom. The only thing that scares me is that the old legends will be in attendance. If we show up with a Mora attitude for 60 minutes we should win this. If we show up in the traditional mode of wait until halfway through the game to get started it will be tough but we could still win it.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by docwaly, September 20, 2009

if we stop frank gore, i see no problem, except the self destruction mode practiced by the Hawks early last week. no gore, no 49ers.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by USAFANARC, September 20, 2009

We have a few (very few) of the "experts" picking the Hawks...including Jaworski and Allen. The 9ers are definately getting the hype, which doesn't surprise me given that they upset the Tards. The important expert is Vegas, which has us even or +1. That's not too bad. I'd take that bet any day!

Slippin' on the Curry jersey today! Wife's got the 12 jersey and my 2 year old (daughter) is sporting Trufant (it's her only one). Let's get it on! Psyched!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by blazzinhawk, September 20, 2009

what we need to do is come out and punch'em in the mouth! everyone is saying how physical the niners are. we know they got vernon Davis, we now how "good" patric willis is. but come on, we have much more talent on this team. you cover and stop gore and davis and their offense is done. and i dont think that they have enough on d to cover housh, burlson, carlson, branch, butler, jj, or edge or forset. we can create mismatches in our favor in many many ways. so go out play our game and we will win and establish we are back!!!

• 
• +0
• 
•