Marshawn Lynch Didn’t Torch the 49ers This Time

Dec 8, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday’s game was an absolute heartbreaker, and part of the reason for that is that it was so very close. The points on the scoreboard were absolutely a reflection of the game that took place as both teams matched each other play for play. Ultimately the deciding factor was one huge run broken by Frank Gore. Gore’s counterpart, Marshawn Lynch, struggled to get going all day and had a tough game with the exception of his 11 yard touchdown run. In one sense this shouldn’t be especially surprising. The 49ers have a very strong front seven that is difficult to run against. In another sense it is a surprise because Lynch has owned the 49ers of late.

In Lynch’s first two games against the 49ers with the Seahawks (Week 13 of 2010 and Week 1 of 2011) he struggled. In those two games combined he rushed for 62 yards on 23 carries. However, since that time has put up big performance after big performance against a premier defense. Going into yesterday’s game this is what Marshawn Lynch’s last four games against the 49ers looked like.

107

5.1

1

2

24

12

0

Week 7 2012

19

103

5.4

0

1

13

13

0

Week 16 2012

26

111

4.3

1

2

19

9.5

1

Week 2 2013

28

98

3.5

2

3

37

12.3

1

If you turned you prorated those four games over a whole season it would look like this:

Yards

Yards/Attempt

TD

Receptions

Yards

Yards/Rec

TD

376

1676

4.5

16

32

372

11.6

8

That’s some pretty impressive stuff. Yesterday it was unfortunate to see that run of dominance come to an end. It would unfair to say the 49ers have the Seahawks running game figured out as this was only one game. If anything, this run of success unusual and the kind of performance Lynch had on Sunday where he had to grind out whatever he could get should be a more reasonable expectation when playing a team like the 49ers.

Sunday’s loss to the 49ers was tough to swallow for a variety of reasons. The end of Lynch’s streak of success against the team was not really foremost among them. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth taking note of. It’s not like 70 yards rushing and a touchdown is an abomination, but the Seahawks inability to pound the rock with authority was noticeable in this game. In all honesty, it is more likely to be a blip on the radar than the start of any kind of trend. The Seahawks may well see these 49ers again this year and have a chance to prove that’s the case.