The Seattle Seahawks took hold of first place as they defeated the San Francisco 49ers 29-3 on Sunday night. Marshawn Lynch provided the scores, confidently entering the end zone. He finished the night with 28 carries/3 catches for a total of 135 yards and three touchdowns.
On a night when both Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick were unable to get their passing game going, the only offensive advantage any team had was the running game and the Seahawks took full advantage. Wilson only threw for 135 yards, while Lynch rushed for 98 yards. Kaepernick took control of the 49ers running game, going for 87 yards.
It was a game that was dictated by defense from beginning to end. The weather was the story early in the game, but the thunder and lightning came from the hits on the field.
The final score at the half was 5-0 Seahawks. The 49ers had blocked a punt and intercepted Russell Wilson, while the Seahawks forced a safety to open up the scoring. They also forced an interception as Kaepernick had issues getting into a roll early in the game.
The Seahawks extended their 2-0 lead right before the conclusion of the first half on a 20-yard field goal by Steven Hauschka.
The action picked up in the second half as Wilson and the running game began expanding the field. Wilson connected with Doug Baldwin down field, setting up a nine-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch, making it a 12-0 game with the Seahawks in complete control.
The 49ers answered eventually with a field goal and that's all they were able to get from their offense as the Seattle defense did not allow the team to run the ball. Running for the 49ers gives them a balanced offense and there was no balance for the 49ers on Sunday evening.
While Kaepernick led the team in rushing yards, he could only muster a 12/25 passing performance for 127 yards. He threw three interceptions and for the first time in his career we saw Kaepernick truly struggle without finding a way to get back on track.
Lynch might have added some spice to the 49ers and Seahawks' meeting later in the year. Right before entering the end zone on both occasions, Lynch stopped to look back at the 49ers defense after leaving everybody behind in the dust. It was a cocky gesture, but the 49ers did not retaliate in their oppositions' home field.
With the victory, the Seahawks are 2-0 in the season. The 49ers earned their first loss and are now 1-1 in 2013. More importantly, the question is, will Kaepernick shave his eyebrow?
