Instant Replay: 49ers O-line hemorrhages in loss to Seahawks

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SANTA CLARA -– Unlike their showdowns of the past, the 49ers and Seattle Seahawks met Thursday night to avoid last place in the NFC West.

The 49ers earned that distinction at Levi’s Stadium with a performance befitting one of the worst teams in the NFL. After showing some promise in back-to-back weeks, the 49ers’ were soundly beaten -– embarrassed, even -- in front of a national television audience.

There would be no fourth-quarter meltdown for the Seahawks on this night, as they grabbed the lead early and pulled away for a 20-3 victory over their erstwhile rival to snap a two-game losing streak.

The 49ers (2-5) were beaten in every imaginable way, as the Seahawks (3-4) won for the fourth consecutive time in their head-to-head meetings dating back to a victory in the NFC Championship game in the 2013 playoffs.

The 49ers had nine punts in the game. They earned just eight first downs. And that’s all anyone needs to know about the team’s ineptitude.

A year ago, the 49ers and Seahawks met on Thanksgiving night. Both teams entered with 7-4 records. The Seahawks’ 19-3 victory that night sent the 49ers into an irreversible tailspin.

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CEO Jed York tweeted an apology to the team’s fan base in the closing minutes. The 49ers lost their next four games to fall out of playoff contention for the first time in Jim Harbaugh’s run as coach.

York and general manager Trent Baalke “parted ways” with Harbaugh, who led the 49ers to three consecutive trips to the NFC title game and one Super Bowl appearance.

The 49ers hired defensive line coach Jim Tomsula to take over for Harbaugh. The 49ers replaced defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and offensive coordinator Greg Roman with Eric Mangini and Geep Chryst, respectively.

There was also a mass exodus of players, including Patrick Willis, Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Chris Borland, Perrish Cox, Chris Culliver, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis.

Now, Baalke’s roster is comprised of 26 players with two years or fewer of NFL experience. It appears as if the players and coaches are overmatched -– something that looked apparent earlier in the season with blowout losses to Pittsburgh, Arizona and Green Bay.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick again struggled trying to solve a Seattle defense, which has given him fits since taking over as the 49ers’ starter during the 2012 season. The 49ers are now 1-6 in games Kaepernick has started against the Seahawks.

As the Seahawks built a 17-0 lead at halftime, the 49ers produced just 17 net passing yards. Kaepernick was 8 of 13 for 44 yards, and he was sacked four times for minus-27 yards.

Meanwhile, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson again got the better of the 49ers. He had 184 yards passing at halftime, including a 43-yard touchdown strike to rookie Tyler Lockett just beyond the reach of cornerback Tramaine Brock, who appeared to mistime his leap.

It did not take long for Seattle to break through. After holding the 49ers to a three-and-out on their first possession of the game, running back Marshawn Lynch converted a fourth-down run to the 49ers’ 1-yard line. Then, he scored from there to give the Seahawks a 7-0 lead eight minutes into the game.

After throwing for 340 yards in the 49ers’ victory Sunday over the Ravens, Kaepernick and the passing game came crashing down.

Kaepernick completed 13 of 24 passes for 124 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He was also sacked six times. For the first time in his NFL career, he did not have a single rushing attempt.

Running back Carlos Hyde, playing with a foot injury that he described in comments to CBS as a stress fracture, was held to 40 yards on 11 rushing attempts.

Wilson completed 18 of 24 passes for 235 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Marshawn Lynch gained 122 yards on 27 rushing attempts. It was the sixth time in his career Lynch has eclipsed 100 yards against the 49ers.

Hayne inactive: Running back and punt returner Jarryd Hayne was declared one of the 49ers’ seven inactive players for the game. In the first six games, he averaged 9.5 yards on eight returns with three fumbles. He also missed a block last week in pass protection that resulted in a sack.

[MAIOCCO: 49ers inactives: Hayne won't go vs Seahawks, Bush returns]

Without Hayne on the field, the 49ers turned to Reggie Bush, who had not returned a punt since the 2011 season.

The Seahawks expressed interest in Hayne after he made his announcement that he was leave Australia’s National Rugby League to pursue an NFL career. "We thought he really could be a highlighted player," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said this week. "We had a lot of thoughts about how we’d use him."

This ‘n’ that: Hall of Famer and CBS analyst Deion Sanders was critical of the 49ers organization at halftime. “The management and ownership should be ashamed,” Sanders said. “This team is three years removed from the Super Bowl and they put out this product. . . This is pathetic.” . . . On the 49ers’ second offensive series, Kaepernick threw passes out of bounds on back-to-back plays. His second errant toss hit a 49ers staffer in the head. He was clearly dazed, and drew members of the team’s athletic training and medical staffs to examine him. He appeared to be OK, and continued with his sideline duties of providing water and towels for the players. . . Linebacker Gerald Hodges made his 49ers debut after being inactive for his first two games after acquiring him in a trade from the Minnesota Vikings. Hodges entered in the second quarter for a series in place of starter Michael Wilhoite. . . . Aaron Lynch recorded two sacks, giving him a team-leading total of five for the season. Ahmad Brooks and Quinton Dial also recorded sacks. . . Bush returned to action after missing last week’s game with a calf strain. On the 49ers’ first offensive series, Bush dropped an easy pass from Kaepernick that would have picked up a first down. Instead, it was a three-and-out. . . The biggest 49ers highlight of the first half occurred as Seattle appeared ready to tack on another touchdown. Safety Eric Reid delivered a big hit to break up a pass to tight end Jimmy Graham near the goal line. On the next play, Brock stepped in front of Doug Baldin for the interception in the end zone. . . . Brock and Kenneth Acker remain tied for the team-lead with three interceptions, as Acker picked off a deep Wilson pass in the third quarter. . . The 49ers entered the game with a 15-2-1 record (.861 win percentage) in home games since 2009, ranking tied for third during that timespan behind New England (.944) and Indianapolis (.895). Green Bay also has a .861 winning percentage. . . Tight end Vernon Davis caught four passes for 61 yards. . . Wide receiver Torrey Smith did not catch a pass. . . . Safety Antoine Bethea did not play in the second half due to a shoulder injury. Rookie safety Jaquiski Tartt, who replaced him, also sustained an injury late in the fourth quarter. He walked off the field under his own power and returned to the game.

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