49ers' Smith shows his leadership

Football Betting Lines

12/20/2006 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Everyone was as sure as Pacific Northwest rainfall that Seattle would avenge an early-season defeat against the 49ers last Thursday, and in the process clinch the NFC West.

But Alex Smith had a different idea.

Smith shook off the Seahawks and the rain with three fourth-quarter touchdowns in San Francisco's 24-14 win over Seattle on the primetime stage. The signal- caller has been up and down all year, but put together an impressive comeback for his resume.

Trailing 7-3, Smith engineered a 90-play drive to put his team ahead early in the fourth. Backed up at his own 13, he hooked up with Arnaz Battle for a 53- yard completion. He then put the Niners up when he found rookie tight end Vernon Davis in the end zone from eight yards out.

However, it was Smith's second TD toss that was most impressive.

After a big defensive stop on fourth down by San Francisco's defense, Smith guided his squad to the 15. After a delay of game call, Seattle corner Kelly Herndon seemed about ready to level Smith and post a big sack. Smith, though, shook off and avoided Herndon. He then rolled to his left and hit the 49ers' other young rising star, Frank Gore, for a touchdown pass that made it a two- possession lead with just over four minutes to go.

"I knew that the plays were there to be made and I was capable of making them," Smith said. "It was just a matter of getting going and hitting some things and getting some momentum."

Smith later capped his big quarter with an 18-yard touchdown run.

"He stayed the course throughout the entire game," 49ers head coach Mike Nolan said of Smith. "That was really important. He didn't vary from that. He didn't try to force balls. He just played a good game. It was in spurts, but he did play a good game."

The second-year signal caller needed a game like this. And lucky for him, it came in a nationally-televised game.

Smith's growing pains this season had been obvious. He came out of the gate firing, but suffered through a brutal November. He rebounded slightly two weeks ago against Green Bay, but had by far his most complete game in a while against Seattle.

The Utah product threw for just 162 yards -- in the rain, mind you -- but in addition to factoring in on three TDs, he completed 56 percent of his passes and wasn't picked off.

"I do believe that Alex has good toughness. He's a bright guy who knows football," Nolan said. "You don't have to teach him things more than once. You tell him and he pretty much gets it. You may have to remind him from time to time, but he's very resilient."

At 6-8, the 49ers are still mathematically in both the Wild Card and division title hunt. However, they still trail the Seahawks (8-6) by a pair of games with two to play and are among five 6-8 teams that trail two 7-7 teams for the final Wild Card spot.

It seemingly would take a lot for the 49ers to get in, but if they don't reach the postseason, they have a couple of games they can really look back on this season as stepping stones.

"This is definitely something we can continue to build on," said defensive end Bryant Young. "This just shows you, when we don't shoot ourselves in the foot, this is what happens. If we continue to build on what we've been able to accomplish with the victories and everything, the sky's the limit for us."

49ERS GETTING IN SEAHAWKS' HEADS

The win last Thursday gave the 49ers their first series sweep of the Seahawks since 2002, the first year of realignment. That's important for the club if it wishes to be contenders in the division.

The 49ers also did another good job of shutting down Seattle running back Shaun Alexander. Last year's MVP ran for just 37 yards in San Fran's 20-14 home win over Seattle on November 19. That performance was Alexander's first since suffering the foot injury that caused him to miss a nice chunk of the season.

Thursday, he rushed for 73 yards a score. However, he managed just 16 yards in the second half.

Gore, meanwhile, enjoyed another successful game against the division rival. He rushed for 144 yards and turned in his first career touchdown reception. Gore ran for a total of 356 yards in two games against the Seahawks.

The Miami-Florida product earned his eighth 100-yard game of the season.

Also, Battle set a career-high with 97 yards receiving.

LOSING HEITMANN

The 49ers weren't all smiles after their win, as the club learned it will be without center Eric Heitmann for the rest of the season.

Heitmann broke his right tibia in the first quarter when Seattle defensive end Darryl Tapp rolled onto his leg during a block. The fifth-year pro had to have a rod inserted into his leg. The injury will bring an end to his consecutive start steak, which stood at 45.

Nolan said he thinks recovery time for Heitmann is 12-to-14 weeks.

"Eric is an instrumental part of our offense and everything we do," Nolan said on Friday. "He is the center. We lose him, which is unfortunate. It won't be career-ending. He'll be back, but not this year, not this season."

Nolan said on Monday that he thinks Tony Wragge -- who replaced Heitmann against Seattle -- will start the 49ers' next game. However, he will try to work in David Baas as well.

"For right now Tony has been in there for the reps that he has gotten and there is definitely no disappointment in David Baas," said Nolan. "I am very anxious to get David in there because he is a gamer and he plays well. For right now, Tony has been in the middle and I think he has more NFL game experience than David has right now, and the calls that go with it."

In other injury news, Nolan said on Monday that tackle Adam Snyder, tight end Eric Johnson and linebacker Derek Smith are all questionable for Sunday, but he hopes all three will be able to play.

In good news, cornerback Shawntae Spencer returned to the lineup against Seattle after missing the last three games. Spencer had been sidelined with an ankle injury, and recorded his first interception of the season in the win.

NEXT UP: SHUFFLING THE CARDS

The 49ers will seek to avenge a Week 1 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.

Then-Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns in the 34-27 season-opening win that christened the Cardinals' new stadium. San Francisco will get its first look at Matt Leinart, who has since replaced Warner as Arizona's quarterback.

Gore rushed for 87 yards and scored twice in the loss, the 49ers third straight to the Cardinals. Smith threw for 288 yards and a touchdown.

San Francisco is 17-13-0 all-time against the Cardinals.