Seahawks vs. 49ers: Game Previews You'll Want To Read

This is a big game. The winner gets a formidable step up on the division, and there is a budding rivalry that smells like spite. Darrell Jackson has something to prove, Frank Gore is mouthing off, and Lofa Tatupu is looking to slam the door on his running lanes.

I'm white-knuckling already. I'm making my grocery list for the gameday feast, but I have a feeling that I won't have much of an appetite. This kind of competitive shit is as good as it gets.

Needless to say, I've been deeply interested in matchups and analysis this week--and there is some good stuff out there:

• The best analysis of the bunch is over at Field Gulls. John Morgan hits heavily on the reason and history of the niners' recent offensive struggles, how Shaun Alexander may be a liability, and the best way to attack the existing personnell in the 3-4 alignment. A definite must-read. Then jump over and check out his Matchupalooza between Lofa Tatupu and Moran Norris.


• The Examiner gives up Three Keys to Victory.


• The 49ers Observer gives a fair overview, sort of a Seahawks 101.


• NFLGameAnalysis.com makes this matchup their Feature Preview.

My two cents? With Alexander playing one-armed, the Seattle linebackers hyperfocusing on Gore, this is bound to be a low scoring affair. The difference of the game will be Seattle's secondary (especially Grant and Russell) keeping a solid grip of the 'niner's passing game, enabling the front seven to focus entirely on Gore. With the low score, Seattle's superior special teams will break the niner's backs. Seattle 20, San Francisco 16.

(Thanks to 2*2*2 at SeahawkBlue for the cool pic! Click on it for actual coolness.)