Grading the Seahawks’ 43-16 win over the San Francisco 49ers

Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 43-16 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at CenturyLink Field:

OFFENSE

Seattle was all about efficiency Sunday. The Seahawks didn’t rack up a lot of yards — Seattle’s 331 were the team’s fewest since Week 4 — but they made them all count. The most remarkable number from this game is that early in the fourth quarter Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson had thrown the ball just 13 times, yet had four touchdown passes. Seattle also was back to its running best, compiling 168 yards on the ground. One bump in the road was the offense drawing five holding penalties, and there were a few moments when pass protection broke down.

Grade: B+

DEFENSE

The Seahawks were in their bend-but-don’t-break mode in this one. Seattle allowed 452 yards to an offensively challenged team, and there was one notable breakdown when the Seahawks were beat by former University of Washington star Dante Pettis for a 75-yard touchdown reception. But Seattle tightened up when San Francisco reached the red zone, and linebacker Bobby Wagner continues to make a case for the best defensive player in the league as he created two turnovers inside the 5-yard line, including a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Grade: B

SPECIAL TEAMS

Seattle’s special teams were far from perfect, as kicker Sebastian Janikowski missed two extra points, and a lengthy return punctuated by an after-the-whistle unnecessary roughness penalty helped the 49ers get a field goal as time expired in the first half. However, special teams also set up two touchdowns, with Neiko Thorpe recovering a muffed punt late in the second quarter and Tyler Lockett opening the second half by returning the kickoff 84 yards.

Grade: B-

COACHING

The Seahawks came into the game knowing they had a superior team to San Francisco, and the coaches made sure they played in a conservative manner so there was no chance they’d beat themselves. There was a heavy emphasis on the run — 29 running plays versus 17 throws — and they kept the ball away from former Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman, one of the few playmakers on the 49ers’ defense. It also means their bag of tricks remains full for when they face San Francisco again in two weeks.

Grade: A-

OVERALL

This was a game everyone expected Seattle to win, and the Seahawks made sure there was never any doubt about which team would prevail. Carolina and Minnesota both lost Sunday, leaving an opening for Seattle to move into a wild-card playoff position with a victory, and the Seahawks took care of business with a minimum of drama. It sets up a crucial game against the Vikings next Monday night at CenturyLink Field.

Grade: B+

– Nick Patterson, Herald writer