Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch inactive against 49ers

But when Marshawn Lynch was a late scratch because of an abdominal injury, Rawls was called on to carry the load. Gabbert had not had a start since October 2013 before this November match-up; but luckily for the 49ers and all 49ers fans, Gabbert has been studying and been preparing for his chance to take over this offense since he came arrived in San Francisco. Rookie Thomas Rawls’ 209-yard performance was the second best in team history, behind Shaun Alexander’s 266-yard game against Oakland on November 11, 2001.

“The poise he showed today was really good”, Tomsula said. “… We didn’t tackle well”. We didn’t (play) the run well. “That has to be better”. The 49ers finally got on the board late in the half when Vance McDonald caught a 19-yard touchdown from Blaine Gabbert.

The 49ers were desperate for a win against the division rivals Seahawks.

Bowman said he believed the 49ers’ run defense took a blow when defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey sustained a potentially severe right knee injury on the first play of the game. He was fierce and unrelenting, turning in the sort of punishing running style that has made Lynch such an integral part of the Seahawks attack. If the Seahawks can win that one, then they’ll be heading to Minnesota to face the Vikings – fell to 7-3 after losing to the Packers on Sunday – with an opportunity to close the gap on that lead as well.

– The 49ers sacked Russell Wilson twice, one coming from Ahmad Brooks and the other split by Aaron Lynch and Quinton Dial. “… It’s always dark and gloomy”.

“That’s when it’s most lovely, when the guy you least expect has a big day like that, ” Earl Thomas said. Both had high flying offenses, solid defenses, and were winning a lot of games.

“He’s compact and he has good speed, too”, 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead said.

“To me, you’re not afraid to punt”, Tomsula said Sunday.

The Seahawks quarterback improved to 7-2 against the 49ers. Armstead fought off two Seattle offensive linemen and met Rawls in the backfield. The second-biggest rushing day in Seattle history, plus 46 more yards and another touchdown receiving early in the fourth quarter sent Seattle improbably back into the NFC playoff race with a 29-13 victory over the 49ers at CenturyLink Field.

“I’ve got to turn on the film and learn from it and try to help my team next week”, said Armstead. A Thomas Rawls two-yard run in later in the quarter extended the Seahawks’ lead to 13-0 after a failed missed extra point. The 49ers had never given up more than 200 yards to a single running back in a game, until today.

Instead they got Rawls, a 5-9, 215-pound runner from Central MI who was a long shot to make Seattle’s roster when training camp began.

“A little baby Marshawn, ” Kam Chancellor said of Rawls.

Clark had a great preseason, because he had a lot of playing time that allowed him to get in a rhythm and make plays. He came off the bench to run for 104 yards against Chicago in Week 3 after Lynch injured his hamstring, and rumbled for 169 yards and a touchdown two weeks later against Cincinnati. But his gaudy total was more the result of a steady workload. He gashed the 49ers for an average of seven yards every time he touched the ball.