Defensively, the 49ers look solid, as they are led by linebacker Patrick Willis, who is arguably the best in the game, and looks to have another stellar year in front of him. Singetary is a defensive coach, and the 49ers run the 3-4 base scheme, that allows linebackers, like Willis, to be very active in the both the pass and rush defense.
On offense for the 49ers, quarterback Alex Smith looks at this year as his chance to turn some heads, and get things rolling for San Francisco out west. Smith has improved throughout last season and on into the 2010 preseason and Singletary believes Smith has what it takes to win the division for them this year. Smith has the benefit of handing the ball off to Frank Gore, and passing it to Michael Crabtree, along with tight-end hybrid tight end Vernon Davis.
For the Seahawks defensively, they have potentially five rookies that could be seeing the playing field in this one, including safety Earl Thomas, the Seahawks first round draft pick back in April. Seattle ranked 24th in total defense last
season, and 30th against the pass. For that reason, they tried to fix that secondary, beginning with Thomas.
USA Online Sportsbooks and NFL Weekly Betting Lines have set the 49ers as a 2 1/2-point favorite in Week One over the Seahawks, with the over/under resting at 37 points. The line opened with San Francisco as a one-point favorite, that has now grown.
