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SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks bounce back with rout of 49ers

Martin Rogers
USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael (32) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field.

SEATTLE — Pete Carroll strode down the CenturyLink Field sideline with a satisfied look on his face, nodding repeatedly and with a beaming smile.

“Not bad,” he said to an assistant. “Not bad.”

It was not even the end of the first quarter, but Carroll knew then what everybody else could also see – that his Seattle Seahawks (2-1) were on the way to a resounding victory, and that the San Francisco 49ers (1-2) were totally outmatched.

Having been unable to get anything in the way of genuine offensive threat going a week earlier in a deflating defeat to the Rams in Los Angeles, Carroll’s side made a blistering start on Sunday, before surging to a 37-18 win.

An opening drive of 75 yards in just 36 seconds culminated in Christine Michael running in a 41-yard touchdown to give the hosts an advantage they never looked like relinquishing.

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Making the most of his extra workload with Thomas Rawls inactive, Michael ran in another score from four yards out to extend the lead to 14-0.

Jimmy Graham hauled in a touchdown pass from Wilson in the second quarter and the Seahawks led 24-3 at the half.

The only blip for Seattle came when Wilson left the field during the third quarter following a heavy hit. Team staff called it a left knee sprain and gave him a brace, but Carroll said afterward he could have re-entered the game had it been closer. Wilson entered the game nursing a high ankle sprain on his right leg. Though hampered, he went 15-for-23 and 243 yards.

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Trevone Boykin took over for Wilson, and extended the lead with a touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin early in the fourth quarter.

Carlos Hyde carried in two late touchdowns for San Francisco to make the scoreline more respectable in the fourth quarter, but it will have done little to generate much confidence in the 49ers camp.

Blaine Gabbert found himself stifled by Seattle’s marauding defense, gaining just 119 yards passing on 14-of-25 passing.

Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers backup quarterback, continued his ongoing protest by kneeling during the national anthem, along with two of his teammates. Five other 49ers players raised a fist in solidarity, while standing. Seahawks players stood arm-in-arm on the other side of the field, as they have done since week one.

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