Seahawks vs. 49ers preview

Key questions

1How important is this game for the Seahawks? Very. First, a win improves morale. Second, a win is another over a division opponent in case the division record comes into play in a tiebreaker situation. Not that the Seahawks are anywhere close to contending for the playoffs at 1-5, but this might be their best chance to win a game for several weeks. It could spark a streak. Frustration might be starting to set in, but the Seahawks will be motivated — the 49ers stole one at Qwest Field in Week 2.

2How big a factor is the fact that the 49ers have changed head coaches? It won't be much of a factor for the Seahawks. The 49ers are the ones who must adjust to Mike Singletary. Will they play hard for him, or fall flat in the debut of the new coach? It's at least a topic of conversation. Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren brought it up briefly to his players during the week. "Without overplaying it ... there are some things because of our current existence I don't have to dwell too much because they are actually secondary to trying to win a game," he said. "Now, my approach with this team is a little different, now it's more internal and we have our own issues here to deal with first. Under normal circumstances I would talk about it more."

3Can Seneca Wallace get the job done? A game under his belt and another week to heal from a sore calf will help. Wallace has played well at Candlestick Park before, setting career highs in completions and attempts (19 of 31) and yards (252). The 49ers aren't exactly a powerhouse, and Wallace has the ability and the experience to lead the Seahawks to a win. He needs to keep the offense on the field longer and run more plays.

4Is the defense "back?": The Seahawks played better on defense last week at Tampa Bay and hope to build on that. On the other hand, this is the group that gave up 33 points to San Francisco in Week 2. It stands to reason that the Seahawks will get pressure on J.T. O'Sullivan, whom they sacked eight times in the last meeting.

Notable

Seahawks: The Seahawks have won 16 of their past 21 games against NFC West opponents, including six of the past seven. ... DE Patrick Kerney has 11 sacks in the past 7 division games. He has at least one sack in five straight games against the 49ers. ... The next win for Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren is No. 172 in his career, moving him into ninth place on the NFL's career wins list. ... WR Bobby Engram needs 19 yards to pass Joey Galloway (4,457) for fourth place on the Seahawks' all-time receiving-yards list.

49ers: RB Frank Gore has 715 yards from scrimmage combined in the past five games against the Seahawks, including 568 rushing yards. ... WR Isaac Bruce is third in NFL history with 14,459 receiving yards, which leads all active players. ... WR Bryant Johnson has had a TD in five of his past six games against the Seahawks. ... The 49ers trail in the all-time series between the two teams, 9-10.

Injury report

Seahawks: QB Matt Hasselbeck (back) and TE Will Heller (knee) are out. WR Deion Branch (foot) is questionable. WR Koren Robinson (knee), LB Lofa Tatupu (concussion) and G Floyd Womack (illness) are probable.

49ers: S Dashon Goldson (knee), DE Ray McDonald (knee) and T Jonas Jennings (shoulder) are out. CB Nate Clements (ribs), S Michael Lewis (knee), WR Josh Morgan (groin), S Mark Roman (groin) and PR Allen Rossum (groin) are probable.

Last gameSeahawks: The Seahawks lost 20-10 at Tampa Bay in prime time last Sunday, struggling again on offense with their third different quarterback starting in the past three games. This time it was Seneca Wallace, who had just 73 passing yards. The Seahawks defense played better than it had in some time, holding the Bucs to three points in the second half, but gave up another long touchdown pass and lost a possible TD on a fumble recovery when the play was ruled over with a whistle. K Olindo Mare missed his first field goal of the season. The Seahawks fell to 1-5 with their third straight loss.

49ers: San Francisco also went east and lost to the New York Giants, 29-17. They fell to 2-5 with their fourth consecutive loss. Three costly turnovers, a fumble that rolled out of the end zone for a safety and 13 penalties hurt the 49ers, as the defending Super Bowl champs scored 10 points off two turnovers inside the San Francisco 20-yard line and QB J.T. O'Sullivan was intercepted in the end zone on a drive.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com