Dawson Go-Ahead Field Goal Lifts 49ers Over Seahawks
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- The San Francisco 49ers aren't handing over their two-year division reign just yet. And certainly not on their home field where they rarely lose against the NFC West.
Phil Dawson kicked a 22-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining and the Niners held off the nemesis Seahawks 19-17 on Sunday, denying Seattle a chance to clinch the division at Candlestick Park.
Frank Gore broke a 51-yard gain with just more than four minutes left to set up the go-ahead 11-play, 76-yard drive as the 49ers (9-4) kept the playoff-bound Seahawks (11-2) from grabbing away the West in San Francisco.
Dawson's fourth field goal of the day gave him 20 straight converted field goals, a franchise record topping Joe Nedney's 18 consecutive in 2006-07.
Russell Wilson threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Luke Willson and Marshawn Lynch ran for an 11-yard score for Seattle, denied a franchise-best sixth road victory.
The 49ers are unbeaten at home against the West since losing to the Seahawks on Oct. 26, 2008.
In an emotionally fueled afternoon of missed chances and costly penalties, this rivalry game more than lived up to the hype. Seattle was denied a chance for its franchise-best sixth road victory, while the 49ers know they need every win the rest of the way for their own playoff positioning.
Eric Wright, who briefly left the game with a head injury, intercepted a last-ditch deep pass by Wilson with 9 seconds left to seal it.
The two young quarterbacks finished with nearly the same stats lines. Wilson went 15 of 25 for 199 yards and a touchdown with one interception, while counterpart Colin Kaepernick threw for 175 yards and completed 15 of his 29 passes with a TD and an interception.
Vernon Davis caught an 8-yard touchdown pass just before halftime to give San Francisco some momentum.
After a home rout of New Orleans on Monday night, the Seahawks were trying to make it two big wins over NFC powers in seven days. They hurt themselves several times down the stretch.
Golden Tate helped put the Seahawks ahead midway through the fourth quarter with a 38-yard punt return. Wilson then hit Jermaine Kearse for a 14-yard gain and first down from the 24. But on third down from the 13, Wilson was forced to throw out of bounds under pressure.
Seattle settled for Steven Hauschka's 31-yard field goal that stayed just inside the left upright with 6:20 remaining.
While Lynch went over 1,000 yards rushing for the third straight season and fifth in his eight-year career, he slowed down in the second half. He wound up with 72 yards on 20 carries as the 49ers' defense kept intact its streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher this season.
The Seahawks had their seven-game winning streak snapped since an Oct. 6 loss at Indianapolis. They had won the last two meetings, both at home, by outscoring the 49ers 71-16.
Anquan Boldin had six catches for 93 yards, his fourth straight game with at least five receptions.
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