Seahawks offense has been offensive lately

No offense, Seahawks, but there was a problem that stuck out in Sunday's victory.

No offense. Or at least not enough of it, because Seattle beat San Francisco 20-17 not because of its offense, but in spite of it. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had the team's longest rush, the second-longest completion went to fullback Justin Griffith, and the team's most consistently successful play was a punt.

Three-quarters of the way through this season, Seattle's defense has shown improvement. The Seahawks still don't pressure the passer enough, but their run defense has acquitted itself as a solid, almost stout unit.

But with four games left, are the Seahawks seeing progress on offense?

"Yes," coach Jim Mora said. "Yes, I am. We're running the ball better. We're not setting the world on fire, but we're running the ball better."

Well, that gives you an idea of how bad Seattle's rushing game has been. The Seahawks are averaging 93.4 yards on the ground, which ranks No. 27 in the league. At this pace, Seattle will finish with its fewest rushing yards since 1999, which was Mike Holmgren's first year as Seahawks coach.

Running back Justin Forsett gained more than 120 yards twice in the span of three games in November, but he was limited to five carries on Sunday because he wasn't 100 percent after suffering a quadriceps injury during practice Friday.

But it's not just the rushing game.

Tight end John Carlson averaged 3.4 catches as a rookie last season, and this was expected to be a breakout season for him. The words Pro Bowl were even mentioned.

Carlson has four catches total in the past four games, and at this point, saying that he has been called upon to block can't entirely explain his lack of production.

And protection has continued to be a problem even now that Seattle's offensive line has developed continuity. Seattle has started the same five-man configuration for four successive games, and still Hasselbeck was under siege Sunday against San Francisco.

He was sacked five times, and early in the game was getting rid of the ball quickly, unsure his team could maintain the pocket.

"We've struggled early in games to protect the passer," Mora said, "whether that be the offensive line, the running backs, the tight ends — whatever it may be — we just haven't been consistent with that.

"It's something we're taking a hard look at. It's something we have to really try to improve, because it's not good enough right now."

The Seahawks had a net passing total of minus-4 yards in the first quarter against the 49ers, and Hasselbeck suffered as many sacks (two) as he had completions.

Seattle summoned just enough offense in the final three quarters to beat San Francisco, but the Seahawks are going to have to improve on that if they're going to maintain the momentum of consecutive victories.

Notes

• Hasselbeck injured his throwing shoulder in Sunday's game, and might be limited in practice this week according to Mora, but is expected to be OK to play at Houston.

• Mora was asked about Walter Jones' hints at retirement, which the Pro Bowl tackle posted via his Twitter account on Friday. "I know that he's working out," Mora said. "From all accounts, we stay close to him, he's doing very well. No one has asked to my knowledge — at least I haven't asked him — what his thought process is on that. That's just not the focus right now."

Jones missed this season because his left knee remained too painful to play on after two surgeries in nine months. Jones said in October he intended to come back and play next season. He was most recently working out in Florida.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com