The Seattle Seahawks' rout of the San Francisco 49ers put the NFL on notice. After dismantling the 49ers on Sunday, Seattle is the team to beat this year in the NFC.
Seattle went into halftime with a 5-0 lead. When the Seahawks came out in the second half, it was a different team and a different game. Seattle went on to destroy the 49ers, chewing up its defense and neutralizing 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick en route to a 29-3 win.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson managed the game and moved the offense, completing 8-of-19 passes for 142 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Marshawn Lynch was in beast mode, rushing for 98 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries - he also caught a touchdown pass to push his total to three scores on the night.
Seattle's defense, however, stole the show. They rendered Kaepernick ineffective and kept him limited to 13-of-28 completions for 127 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. The defense gave up 87 yards on nine carries to Kaepernick, but still managed to keep him scoreless.
Richard Sherman and the Seattle secondary also stifled 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin, keeping him to just one reception for seven yards; Frank Gore didn't fare any better, quieted to nine rushes for 16 yards by the defensive front.
While it's early in the season, the Seahawks' convincing win over the 49ers make them the team to beat this year. After a so-so performance in the season-opener, a 12-7 win against the Carolina Panthers, Seattle on Sunday fired on all cylinders.
With Week 2 nearly wrapped up, Seattle looks to be the early favorite to win the NFC. The Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints are contenders for the NFC crown, but which team could best Seattle and its staunch defense?
There are better offenses in the NFC, but Seattle's defense takes the pressure off Wilson to be prolific. Seattle's schedule also helps: Jaguars, Texans, Colts, Titans, Cardinals, Rams, Buccaneers, Falcons, Vikings, Saints, 49ers, Giants, Cardinals and Rams.
Barring injury, Seattle easily could finish with a 13-3 record, home field advantage in the playoffs and a trip to the Super Bowl.
