Week 7: Seahawks at 49ers

49ers QB Alex Smith vs. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson: This isn’t that kind of matchup – mano-a-mano – but the play of the opposing quarterbacks definitely will impact the outcome in this battle of NFC West co-leaders. And they’re coming at it during a short week to prepare for everything the opposing defenses can throw at them, and from opposite directions off their most-recent outings. Wilson had the best game of his rookie season, passing for two touchdowns in the final 7½ minutes as the Seahawks rallied for a one-point victory over the Patriots as the capper to his 16-of-27, 293-yard, three-TD effort. Smith, meanwhile, threw three interceptions in an eight-pass span and was sacked four times in what looked like a turn-back-the-clock outing in a 26-3 loss to the Giants. Can Wilson continue his rapid progression against the league’s No. 1-ranked defense? Can Smith recapture his efficient touch that was vital to the 49ers going 13-3 last season and winning four of their first five games this season against the Seahawks’ defense that is better than the one he beat twice last season?

Clare Farnsworth

October 17, 2012