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Seahawks look for third straight win, visit Niners

Nov 18, 2006 - 3:13 PM Seattle (6-3) at San Francisco (4-5) Sunday 4:05 pm ESTSAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The Seattle Seahawks could have a far different look when they visit the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.It is possible that the Seahawks could regain the services of reigning MVP Shaun Alexander and Pro Bowl quarterback MattHasselbeck for this contest.Alexander, who rushed for 1,880 yards and set a single-seasonrecord with 28 touchdowns in 2005, has missed the last six gameswith a cracked bone in his left foot. Seattle is 3-3 withouthim in the lineup.Doctors have cleared Alexander to return to practice this week,although it is uncertain if he'll play.Hasselbeck has missed the last three games with a sprained rightMCL. He also is expected to return to practice this week.Coach Mike Holmgren has made no guarantee if Alexander orHasselbeck will play."When they are ready, they are going to play," Holmgren said."It has nothing to do with where we are in the division, orwhatever."Considering the injuries, Holmgren has to be ecstatic where theSeahawks stand. Seattle has a two-game lead in the divisionover both San Francisco and St. Louis.Last week, Nate Burleson returned a punt 90 yards for atouchdown in the fourth quarter and Josh Brown kicked a 38-yardfield goal with nine seconds remaining to give the Seahawks a24-22 win over the Rams.Maurice Morris also had another big game in place of Alexander,rushing for 124 yards on 21 carries. It was his second straight100-yard game.The game marks a return to San Francisco for Seahawks linebackerJulian Peterson, who spent his first six season with the Niners.After the Niners used the franchise tag on Peterson for twostraight seasons, they opted not to designate him again.The Seahawks then signed Peterson to a seven-year contract worth $54 million, including an $11.5 million signing bonus.Peterson has fit in nicely at outside linebacker and leadsthe Seahawks with eight sacks. The Niners enter this contest seeking their first three-gamewinning streak since 2002, when they went 10-6 and won thedivision.Frank Gore rushed for 148 of his 159 yards and a touchdown inthe first half in last week's 19-13 win at Detroit. However, heleft the game with a mild concussion, leaving his status forthis contest in doubt.The Seahawks have won the last six meetings between the teams.In the contest here last November 20, Alexander rushed for 115yards and two touchdowns in a 27-25 victory.Hasselbeck completed 21-of-25 passes for 226 yards and fourtouchdowns as the Seahawks completed the sweep with a 41-3victory on December 11. Alexander rushed for 108 yards and atouchdown in that contest.