Game Preview: Seahawks looking for bounce-back win vs. 49ers

The (6-4) Seattle Seahawks are looking for a bounce-back win against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday after falling 34-31 to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.

The 49ers are coming off of their bye week and got their first win of the season in week 10 against the New York Giants.

NFC West opponents have proven to be a strong match-up for the Seahawks this season, as Seattle is 3-0 against the division including a 12-9 comeback win against the 49ers in September.

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With starters Kam Chancellor, Shaquill Grffin and Oday Aboushi officially ruled out, the Seahawks will again need to rely on strong play from backups at key positions to get a win.

San Francisco is also nursing injuries of their own, and Sunday's match-up is a perfect chance for the Seahawks to have a "get-right" game and get back into the NFC playoff picture.

Here are three keys to victory for the Seahawks on Sunday:

Even with backups Byron Maxwell, Jeremy lane and Bradley McDougald playing starters minutes, the Seahawks' makeshift legion of boom did a good job of limiting an explosive Atlanta Falcons offense Monday night.

Last year's NFL MVP Matt Ryan even snapped his NFL record streak of 64 games of passing for 200 yards or more, in Monday night's loss.

While the secondary did a good job of limiting big plays downfield, they were unable to get stops on key third downs and were eventually worn down on long drives.

Atlanta finished the game 9/14 on third downs, capped off with a key 29-yard pass from Ryan to Julio Jones on third and six in the fourth quarter.

With the legion of boom again to be without three starters, Seattle will need to get a strong pash rush on C.J. Beathard to limit his chance of extending drives.

Largely overlooked in Monday's loss to the Falcons was Tyler Lockett and company having their best game of the year in the kick return game.

Lockett finished the game with an average of 39.4 yards per kickoff return, and more importantly gave the offense some breathing room to start drives.

Key to Lockett's long returns was the presence of undrafted rookie offensive lineman Jordan Roos who was activated for the first time in his career to give life to the return game.

Head coach Pete Carroll singled out the performance of Roos and fellow offensive lineman Mark Glowinski when he spoke to the media this week.

“The execution of the guys on that kickoff return team was beautifully handled in taking to game time,’’ Carroll said. “He was able to take advantage of the consistency that those guys gave him.  Mark Glowinski and Jordan Roos really had notable efforts in presenting the opportunities there.’’

Strong blocking in the kicking game could spring Lockett loose for his first kickoff return for a touchdown of the season, and special teams points will go a long way toward a Seattle victory on Sunday.

When Seattle and San Francisco faced off in week 2, rookie running back Chris Carson ran for 93 yards on 20 carries in what has proved to be the leading rushing performance from any running back for the Seahawks this season.

Since Chris Carson's injury against the Indianapolis Colts, the Seahawks have tried a number of options at running back with little success.

Mike Davis showed signs of life on Monday against the Falcons - but is doubtful to play on Sunday, meaning the Seahawks will again look to a backfield of Thomas Rawls, Eddie Lacy and J.D. McKissic to give them something in the run game.

Look for the Seahawks coaches to ride the hot hand on Sunday, and whoever runs the best could be the starter for Seattle for the rest of the season.

Cox Media Group