Capsule Preview | S.F. 49ers at Seahawks, 5 p.m., TV: Ch. 13

LAST GAME

Seahawks: The Seahawks traveled to the Phoenix area and lost to the Cardinals, 27-21. Seattle missed a chance to clinch a third straight NFC West title with the loss, losing three fumbles and unable to hold a 21-17 lead after three quarters. D.J. Hackett, Nate Burleson and Darrell Jackson caught touchdown passes, and the Seahawks had a drive going to possibly win the game at the end. But a sack and a pass completion that came up just short of a first down on fourth-and-20 ended their hopes.

49ers: San Francisco lost its third straight game, and hasn't won since it defeated the Seahawks 20-14 at home on Nov. 19. This time it was the Green Bay Packers dealing the 49ers a 30-19 loss at home. Frank Gore rushed for 130 yards, his seventh 100-yard game of the season (a team record), but QB Alex Smith threw his fifth interception in the past two games. Smith was picked off in the end zone. The 49ers' defense allowed 420 yards to Green Bay.

NOTABLE

Seahawks: RB Shaun Alexander has rushed for 100 or more yards in three of his past four games against the 49ers. He also has nine touchdowns and 556 rushing yards in his past six against them. ... Coach Mike Holmgren is 11-4 against the 49ers in his career, including three playoff wins. ... QB Matt Hasselbeck is undefeated in his past six games against the 49ers with 13 touchdown passes. ... The Seahawks have won six of the past seven meetings and five of their past six prime-time games. ... The Seahawks have 13 players with at least half a sack, second-most in the NFL. They have 10 players with two or more sacks to lead the league.

49ers: The 49ers are 53-27 all-time in prime-time games. ... Gore's 5.6 yards per carry is the most for a 49ers leading rusher since Joe Perry's 6.1 in 1958. ... The 49ers are 3-0 all-time on Thursday night. ... Gore is fourth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 1,731, and leads the NFL with 13 runs of 20 or more yards. ... DE Bryant Young has 8 ˝ sacks in his past eight games. ... In the past five games, S Keith Lewis has two interceptions, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. ... LG Larry Allen has been selected to 10 Pro Bowls and been named an All-Pro seven times.

INJURY REPORT

Seahawks: WR Darrell Jackson (left big toe), TE Itula Mili (concussion) and C Robbie Tobeck (left hip) are out. DT Rocky Bernard (right foot) is expected to play. LG Floyd Womack (groin) is questionable. DE Joe Tafoya (right calf) is probable.

49ers: OT Adam Snyder (ankle/knee) is out. TE Eric Johnson (knee), LB Derek Smith (hamstring), CB Shawntae Spencer (ankle) and LB Jeff Ulbrich (foot) are questionable. DE Anthony Adams (knee) and T Jonas Jennings (ankle) are probable.

KEY QUESTIONS ENTERING TODAY'S GAME

How much will the short week impact the Seahawks? The Seahawks seem to have one injury after another to key players week in and week out, and this week there wasn't enough time to recover, with only four days between games. Holmgren said the players bounced back well but likened the situation to a car wreck. "You know they're bruised all over the place. And if you're an older player, it takes you a couple days, a couple, three days to start feeling good again. So when you play an early game or a Thursday game, it takes some courage and some guts on their part to kind of battle through it. But the football players do that."

What about the 49ers? They are sore and banged up with injuries, too. Coach Mike Nolan made calls to teams who played on Thanksgiving after a Sunday game and cut back on things in practice for his team this week. The 49ers never practiced in pads this week.

Will the weather be a factor? It very well could be. High winds and perhaps some rain could make things pretty interesting down on the field. Holmgren said wind is worse than snow or rain because it can affect throws and kicks, but both teams have to deal with the elements.

The biggest difference between this game and the last game with SF is? The Seahawks were playing without two of their offensive stars, Hasselbeck and Alexander. Hasselbeck is coming off a fine performance at Arizona (despite a fumble) and Alexander is running hard and making things happen, though he hasn't scored much. The Seahawks should have a boost in confidence with the two back in the lineup and a chance to clinch the division.

Who are some of these guys? Introducing the revamped Seahawks, who now feature six players on the current active roster who didn't start the regular season and have joined the team the past few weeks. They are TE Ben Joppru, who has played on special teams; DL Robert Pollard, FB David Kirtman, DT Marcus Green and LBs Lance Laury and Marquis Cooper. Laury has also played on special teams and done well.

José Miguel Romero