Seahawks hope win over 49ers is springboard

RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks hope to use Sunday's win against the San Francisco 49ers as a springboard for the final six games of the regular season.

Seattle posted a season-high 508 yards of total offense in a 29-13 victory. The biggest revelation from the game was the performance of the running game despite the absence of star running back Marshawn Lynch.

Thomas Rawls was the primary reason for that success. Rawls rushed for 209 yards as Seattle posted 255 rushing yards in total against San Francisco.

"The mentality that we have to have in that room is that when (Lynch is) not in there, we have to pick up the slack," running back Fred Jackson said. "Go out there and do the best that we can to make sure that this offense doesn't miss him in that area."

With Lynch expected to miss close to a month due to abdominal surgery, Rawls will be a key piece for Seattle's offense the rest of the way. If the Seahawks can make another late-season run, Rawls will be a big reason why.

"Pretty confident," coach Pete Carroll said of the team's comfort level with Rawls. "He's done very, very well. He's been consistent, and whenever he's been given a real good shot, he's come through in a big way. We're excited for him to have another opportunity to go out and see our guys block for him and see what we can get done again."

The improvement from the offensive line in recent weeks is another key to the improved offensive performance.

Sunday's game against the 49ers was one of the best outings of the year for the beleaguered unit. Rawls had room to run, and quarterback Russell Wilson had time to throw. Wilson completed 24 of 29 passes (82.8 percent), the best percentage of his career.

"It was cleaner," offensive line coach Tom Cable said. "There are some things that still could have been better.

"The receivers did really good. And the tight ends. You have to give that group some credit because we were consistent up front, which is a big plus, but where we were at on the perimeter at tight end and receiver made a huge difference. That's how you get those big numbers."

SERIES HISTORY: 17th regular-season meeting. Series tied, 8-8. The Steelers won last two games. The most historic meeting between the two teams was in Super Bowl XL. Pittsburgh won 21-10 in a game marred by officiating blunders.

GAME PLAN:

--Seattle's pass rush needs to get to Ben Roethlisberger consistently. As strong as the Seahawks' pass coverage can be, Roethlisberger's ability to extend plays and find receivers downfield will be critical to stop the Steelers' passing attack. The Seahawks can help slow Pittsburgh by keeping their offense off the field. Thomas Rawls will be a critical piece in the running game to keep drives alive and keep Seattle's offense moving.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman vs. Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.

The Seahawks haven't said that Sherman will cover Brown exclusively this week, but it wouldn't be a surprise. Sherman has been used to cover a team's No. 1 receiver more frequently this season. He covered Cincinnati's A.J. Green, Dallas' Dez Bryant and San Francisco's Torrey Smith this year. Brown already has 79 receptions for 1,141 yards and five touchdowns in 2015.

--Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls vs. Steelers' front seven.

Rawls posted 209 yards rushing and 255 yards from scrimmage last week in a 29-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers. However, the Steelers' run defense ranks fifth in the league, allowing just 93 yards per game. Seattle's offense works more consistently when the run game is rolling and big-play opportunities are available through play-action.