Published: Friday, December 15, 2006
Niners rally, stop Seahawks from clinching
San Francisco's faint playoff hopes remain alive.
SEATTLE (AP) — Alex Smith's fourth-quarter play was reminiscent of former San Francisco quarterbacks.
Keeping the 49ers' slim playoff hopes alive, Smith threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes and San Francisco prevented the Seattle Seahawks from clinching the NFC West with a surprising 24-14 win Thursday night.
Smith threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis early in the fourth, then capped a 10-play, 73-yard drive with a 20-yard TD pass to Frank Gore with 4:01 left that sent wet — and shocked — Seahawks' fans for the exits.
One play after a delay-of-game penalty on third-and-1, Smith stepped out of Kelly Herndon's grasp, scrambled and found Gore behind defense at the goal line. San Francisco's players erupted into celebration, as the 49ers (6-8) broke a three-game losing streak and swept both games from Seattle.
If that wasn't enough, Smith faked the entire Seattle defense and walked 18 yards for a touchdown with 1:42 left to cap a night when he looked more like Steve Young and Joe Montana than first-round busts of the past.
Seattle (8-6) lost its second straight divisional game, ending any hopes of getting a first-round bye in the playoffs and the performance only added to the questions about the Seahawks inconsistent play.
Shaun Alexander first-quarter touchdown run, and a stingy Seattle defense gave the Seahawks a 7-3 lead over the San Francisco 49ers after three quarters.
Seahawks lose lead
Alexander scored on a 3-yard run with 2:18 left in the first quarter, capping a 44-yard drive where he rushed for 40 yards. But Alexander also got lucky during an 18-yard run, fumbling at the San Francisco 6 when he was stripped by Walt Harris.
The ball bounced away from San Francisco's Jeff Ulbrich and Chad Williams and was recovered by Seattle's Nate Burleson at the 3. Alexander scored on the next play.
Seattle's defense forced San Francisco to go three-and-out on its first two series' in the second half and eight of its first nine. The 49ers finally got a first-down on an 11-yard pass from Smith to Antonio Bryant with 48 seconds left in the third quarter. On the next play, Smith hit Arnaz Battle for a 54-yard completion to the Seattle 33.
San Francisco got a 39-yard field goal from Joe Nedney with 3 seconds left in the first half for its only points. Michael Robinson set up the field with a 33-yard run on a fake punt.
Smith's incomplete pass on third down, coach Mike Nolan gambled, running the fake on fourth-and-5 at the 49ers 43. Robinson took a direct snap and ran to the Seattle 24.
Smith later scored on a 17-yard scramble, but the touchdown was negated by a holding penalty on Kwame Harris. Nedney then split the uprights on a stormy night.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Friday, December 15, 2006
San Francisco's faint playoff hopes remain alive.
SEATTLE (AP) — Alex Smith's fourth-quarter play was reminiscent of former San Francisco quarterbacks.
Keeping the 49ers' slim playoff hopes alive, Smith threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes and San Francisco prevented the Seattle Seahawks from clinching the NFC West with a surprising 24-14 win Thursday night.
Smith threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis early in the fourth, then capped a 10-play, 73-yard drive with a 20-yard TD pass to Frank Gore with 4:01 left that sent wet — and shocked — Seahawks' fans for the exits.
One play after a delay-of-game penalty on third-and-1, Smith stepped out of Kelly Herndon's grasp, scrambled and found Gore behind defense at the goal line. San Francisco's players erupted into celebration, as the 49ers (6-8) broke a three-game losing streak and swept both games from Seattle.
If that wasn't enough, Smith faked the entire Seattle defense and walked 18 yards for a touchdown with 1:42 left to cap a night when he looked more like Steve Young and Joe Montana than first-round busts of the past.
Seattle (8-6) lost its second straight divisional game, ending any hopes of getting a first-round bye in the playoffs and the performance only added to the questions about the Seahawks inconsistent play.
Shaun Alexander first-quarter touchdown run, and a stingy Seattle defense gave the Seahawks a 7-3 lead over the San Francisco 49ers after three quarters.
Seahawks lose lead
Alexander scored on a 3-yard run with 2:18 left in the first quarter, capping a 44-yard drive where he rushed for 40 yards. But Alexander also got lucky during an 18-yard run, fumbling at the San Francisco 6 when he was stripped by Walt Harris.
The ball bounced away from San Francisco's Jeff Ulbrich and Chad Williams and was recovered by Seattle's Nate Burleson at the 3. Alexander scored on the next play.
Seattle's defense forced San Francisco to go three-and-out on its first two series' in the second half and eight of its first nine. The 49ers finally got a first-down on an 11-yard pass from Smith to Antonio Bryant with 48 seconds left in the third quarter. On the next play, Smith hit Arnaz Battle for a 54-yard completion to the Seattle 33.
San Francisco got a 39-yard field goal from Joe Nedney with 3 seconds left in the first half for its only points. Michael Robinson set up the field with a 33-yard run on a fake punt.
Smith's incomplete pass on third down, coach Mike Nolan gambled, running the fake on fourth-and-5 at the 49ers 43. Robinson took a direct snap and ran to the Seattle 24.
Smith later scored on a 17-yard scramble, but the touchdown was negated by a holding penalty on Kwame Harris. Nedney then split the uprights on a stormy night.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Alex Smith's fourth-quarter play was reminiscent of former San Francisco quarterbacks.
Keeping the 49ers' slim playoff...
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