SEATTLE -- A few thoughts on the San Francisco 49ers' 17-7 loss Sunday to the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field:
What it means: The 49ers are eliminated from the postseason. The loss, coupled with the Detroit Lions' 16-14 victory against the Minnesota Vikings, officially made the 49ers an afterthought for the playoffs after three straight trips to the NFC title game.
It is also the first time the 49ers have lost three straight games under coach Jim Harbaugh, whose future in Santa Clara is in more doubt than ever before.
The 49ers appeared to be the more energized team early, but injuries and ineffectiveness sapped them. The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks, who can claim the NFC's top seed by winning their final two games, simply won the game of attrition while imparting their will.
Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick showed his unique skill set early, getting big gains running the ball, but the Seattle defense was able to control him late. Kaepernick rushed for 46 yards on nine carries and threw for 141 yards on 11-of-19 passing.
Stock watch: Rising -- Rookie running back Carlos Hyde was thrust into a starting role late in the second quarter when 10th-year veteran Frank Gore was lost for the game with a concussion. Truth be told, Hyde was already the more effective back in the first half, as evidenced by his 45 yards rushing on three carries, compared to Gore's 29 yards on 11 attempts. Hyde finished with 55 yards on six carries after leaving with an ankle injury in the third quarter. With Gore in the final year of his contract, might we have seen the beginning of the passing of the torch?
Injuries galore: Already without three starters lost to the inactive list in center Marcus Martin, right tackle Anthony Davis and cornerback Chris Culliver, the 49ers lost Gore, who injured himself blocking linebacker Bobby Wagner. Tight end Garrett Celek and inside linebacker Chris Borland both missed time with ankle injuries. Then Hyde rolled his ankle, and inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite and outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks left with injuries.
Game ball: With Gore and Hyde injured, and third-stringer Alfonso Smith trying to pick up the slack, fullback Bruce Miller became the Niners' Mr. Everything. Miller caught a team-high four passes for 56 yards, including a 22-yard catch and run in the open field, and carried the ball twice for 4 yards.
What's next: The 49ers (7-7) have a short work week as they host the San Diego Chargers (8-6) in a prime-time Saturday game. Kickoff is at 5:25 p.m. PT. The Chargers have won the past three meetings, in 2002, 2006 and 2010, by a combined score of 102-43. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 21-7 in the third preseason game this year.
