SEATTLE WEATHER: 50º, 2 MPH winds, 10% chance of rain.

The big news out of Seattle is that Percy Harvin is out for Sunday’s game. Not that it really changes anything, but there you go. Does anyone see the 49ers doing anything differently against Seattle on defense than they’ve done in recent weeks? I don’t. We certainly won’t stack the box to stop Marshwn Lynch, and that worries me. Then again, the weather conditions aren’t: a) -40º; b) 50 MPH winds; or c) rainy as hell.  With the weather not being a factor, one would think both teams may try to stretch the opposing defenses for some big plays. With Harvin out, this will be more difficult for Seattle, but Tate is a big guy and has caught some long balls. On the Niner side, it’s a little more difficult with Seattle’s aggressive corners, but I think we should test KJ Wright and his recently healed broken foot by sending VD on some deep seams. The Niners WILL pound Gore up the middle, but I’d still like to see some misdirection with Hunter. Screens are still a pipedream, and the flare to Tukuafu resulted in his ankle sprain, but I see the same idea of thro2w to the guy single coverage. Whether it’s Crabs, Boldin, VD, or a recently productive Patton, Kappy needs to hit his mark quickly. Saeattle’s D line isn’t quite what Carolin’s was, but the difference is negligible. Quick plays are the idea. get the ball out fast to loosen things up for the running game. Get them back on their heels and then Gore them.

This game is going to be a very interesting chess match, if chess matches were blood sport. But both teams are built very similarly, and both coaches would love nothing more than the complete annihilation of the other. Ball control is paramount. Field position palys a large part in thids game, so LMJ becomes a focal point for not making mistakes. A big punt retun can change this game, as can a blown coverage or turnover. I’d stack Dawson vs anyone, so this game could very well end up something like 12-9.