49ers take trip to house of horrors; Raiders tackle Chiefs
Niners haven’t won at CenturyLink since Christmas Eve back in 2011 season
SEATTLE >> Perhaps a curse got cast upon the 49ers here.
Nearing the end of their last win at CenturyLink Field in 2011, offensive coordinator Greg Roman hollered a spirited “Merry Christmas” as he whisked through the sedate press box on his way from the coaches’ suite to the celebratory locker room.
Since then, the 49ers went from “Ho, Ho, Ho” to “Uh Oh” in Seattle.
Maybe Terrell Owens is responsible for the hex. You’ll recall his “signature” moment in 2002: In the 49ers’ debut at Seattle’s downtown stadium, he pulled a Sharpie from his sock to autograph the ball from his game-winning touchdown.
Two years later, the 49ers returned for a 34-0 defeat, ending a NFL-record streak of scoring in 420 consecutive regular-season games. Must we bring up NaVorro Bowman’s career-altering knee injury five years ago or Colin Kaepernick’s endzone interception in that NFC title game?
No locker room has seen more 49ers anguish than Seattle’s dreary one since it opened in 2002. Go through the double doors and the musty room is divided, with offensive players on the left, defenders on the more cramped right side, and disconsolate faces everywhere.
So the 49ers (2-9) trudge back in Sunday looking for their first win at CenturyLink Field since Christmas Eve 2011.
“It’s the most unique place to play in the NFL because of the atmosphere,” 12th-year veteran Joe Staley said. “We’ve played in some close games there, but we’ve also played on the bad side of some blowouts, too.
“It takes a full-team effort and what a better time than now.”
A better time would have been in the January 2014 NFC Championship game. That, instead, is among their 13 losses in 17 games at CenturyLink Field. It also marked the first of nine losses in a row — home and away — to the Seahawks.
The Seahawks (6-5) are
favored again, by 10 points, as they chase an NFC wildcard berth. Here is how the 49ers can reverse their curses and snap Seattle’s streak:
1. Protect the ball. After a flawless debut against the Raiders, quarterback Nick Mullens hasn’t been as sharp, losing his past two games and yielding two interceptions in each.
Staley’s advice for Mullens’ Seattle baptism: “You know, just calm down, because you’re going to have some guys who are not going to be able to hear you in the huddle, so you’re probably going to have to repeat (the call) as you’re going to the line of scrimmage. Don’t get flustered with all of that. Football’s football. Just calm down and play your game.”
Mullens’ arm strength remains suspect, especially on horizontal passes outside the numbers, so he must make such throws wisely. He recovered a strip-sack fumble on his first dropback attempt in last Sunday’s loss at Tampa Bay, and he was sacked three more times, so the pass protection must be improved.
The Seahawks have forced 17 turnovers (11 interceptions, six fumbles), and their nine giveaways are tied for the league’s fewest. Instead of them being ball hogs, they 49ers must be.
2. Run, Matt, run. The 49ers sure could use Matt Breida delivering a third straight game of 100 rushing yards, a franchise feat last done by Frank Gore in 2011.
Breida is 262 yards shy of a 1,000-yard season. The Seahawks run defense ranks 22nd.
He remains limited by an ankle injury that’s hindered him for nearly two months, but that literally has not slowed him. His 33-yard, first-snap run Sunday reached 22.09 mph, the league’s fastest mark this season, per NextGen Stats. He and the New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley are the only ones with 10 rushes of 20 yards or more this season.
3. Hold the line. The 49ers have a top-10 run defense, and Pete Carroll calls that defensive front “the strength of their team.” That run defense is key this game because Seattle has the No. 1 rushing attack.
“It doesn’t have to do with: ‘I want to be macho and run the football,’ “Carroll said. “It has to do with playing for field position, playing for your defense, consistency, how you control the football and don’t turn it over.
“It’s historically been the best way to win this game of football.”
As much as the focus
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49ers (2-9) at Seahawks (6-5), today, 1:25 p.m., FOX
has been on the now-exiled Reuben Foster, fellow linebacker Fred Warner has had a steady rookie season. His smarts have already diagnosed the Seahawks: “They don’t do anything too complex. They do what they do really well.”
If Malcolm Smith’s Achilles pain keeps him from keeping up with the Seahawks, Elijah Lee will serve as Warner’s wingman in Foster’s former spot. The Seahawks top rushers all average over 4 yards per carry: Chris Carson (144 carries, 635 yards), ex49er Mike Davis (86-386), Rashaad Penny (66-304) and quarterback Russell Wilson (41-321).
4. Willllllson!: Aside from losing his two trips to Candlestick Park in 2012 and ‘13, Wilson has won all 11 other meetings against the 49ers, and he’s 7-0 at home including the 2013 season’s NFC title game.
Wilson has produced 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions in that home dominance with a 102.1 passer rating.
“We know what type of monster Russell is and we have to go do our best to contain him,” said ex-Seahawks pass rusher Cassius Marsh. “I practiced against these guys a long time. (Cornerback Richard) Sherman is the same. We know things. When you’re familiar with anybody, it’s harder to trick and fool them.”
Wilson has 25 touchdown passes and only five interceptions.
The 49ers edge rushers must not allow Wilson to escape if his first read is covered.
5. Homecoming king: If the 49ers are to pull this off, they will need a heroic performance out of someone, perhaps from their cadre of ex-Seahawks: Sherman, Marsh, Malcolm Smith and Greg Mabin.
Perhaps playing in the Northwest inspires former Oregon defensive linemen DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead.
Wide receivers Dante Pettis and Kendrick Bourne played at the University of Washington and Eastern Washington, respectively.
Pettis had the 49ers’ only touchdown last game. Bummed he was inactive for last year’s Week 2 loss, Bourne is now more confident and comfortable within the 49ers offense.