San Francisco 49ers: Revisiting the Franchise’s NFL-Leading Week 1 Winning Streak
By Peter Panacy
2011 — Versus the Seattle Seahawks
49ers 33, Seahawks 17
2011 turned out to be the final year in which the 49ers had dominance over their hated NFC West rivals, the Seattle Seahawks.
San Francisco won both of its contests against that team from up north, and it all started with a 33-17 victory at Candlestick Park.
Fans will remember this as the first game in the Jim Harbaugh era.
Harbaugh took over as head coach during the offseason and would eventually lead the Niners to three consecutive NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl berth.
But the game itself featured some familiar 49ers names — quarterback Alex Smith, running back Frank Gore and wide receiver Michael Crabtree.
Smith managed a one-yard touchdown run, but it was the Niners defense and special teams that made the victory possible. Then-49ers kicker David Akers connected on four field-goal attempts, and even kick returner Ted Ginn managed a 102-yard touchdown return.
Most notably, the 49ers held Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch in check. The now-retired Seattle standout managed just 33 yards on the ground.
In total, San Francisco gave up just 219 all-purpose yards and sacked Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson five times.
The 49ers defense would continue to lead San Francisco deep into the playoffs.
Next: 2012 at the Green Bay Packers