SEATTLE – A few thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks' 17-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers:
What it means: The Seahawks improved to 10-4 with their fourth consecutive win and their seventh victory in the past eight games, beating the 49ers for the second time in 17 days and the fifth time in the past six meetings. The Seahawks will earn the NFC West title if they win their last two games, and, thanks to Green Bay's loss Sunday, they have a shot at earning home-field advantage in the NFC.
Game ball: It has to go to the entire Seattle defense for another dominant performance. The Seahawks had six sacks and five other tackles for loss, plus a stop on a fourth-and-1 when the 49ers had the ball at the Seattle 38. The Seahawks' defense has allowed only 27 total points in the past four games.
Beastly numbers: Marshawn Lynch now is the seventh player in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards and score 10 rushing TDs in four consecutive seasons. He had 21 carries for 91 yards (76 in the second half) and one TD Sunday.
Rare running TD: The 10-yard TD run by Frank Gore in the second quarter was the first rushing touchdown the Seattle defense had allowed since the game at Kansas City on Nov. 16, a span of four games and 16 quarters.
Okung angry and injured: Seattle left tackle Russell Okung did not play in the second half because of a chest injury, but angrily shoved a Seahawks trainer on the sidelines at the end of the first half.
What’s next: The Seahawks play their final regular-season road game in a matchup that has major implications on which team will win the NFC West title when they face the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Sunday. The Cardinals are 11-3, but lost to the Seahawks 19-3 in Seattle on Nov. 23. A victory by the Seahawks in Arizona would put them in position to win the division if they defeat the St. Louis Rams at home in the regular-season finale on Dec. 28.
