By Morris Phillips

The effort was there, the results were not.

The 49ers annual trip to the sound den at Century Link Field in Seattle saw the 49ers battle but come up short.  The showing was a stark reminder that the NFC finalists of the three previous seasons have slipped dramatically.  The 17-7 loss was also the official end of the team’s playoff hopes as the 49ers were officially eliminated from the post-season hunt.

After the game, the 49ers faced numerous questions about their new reality: a first-ever three-game losing streak in the Harbaugh era, which almost certainly will end at the conclusion of the season, and how that will affect their mindset entering the final two games of the season. The suddenly loquacious Colin Kaepernick, embracing the role of team leader, spoke loudest.

“I think, regardless of the situation, we are going out to win.  There is no one on this team that is going to step out on the field and say, ‘Hey, our season is over, we are not going out to compete.”

If nothing else, the 49ers’ situation is more clearly defined after their trip to Seattle.  As they did defensively last year in the ill-fated NFC Championship, the 49ers’ defense held the Seahawks to just a field goal in the first half only to be done in by Russell Wilson and crew in the second half.  Injuries to Chris Borland and Michael Wilhoite, the team’s new—if not as accomplished—answer to Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman were the key to Seattle establishing Marshawn Lynch, who gained 76 of his 91 yards after the break when Borland and Wilhoite departed.

Just as integral to the injuries that cost the 49ers their two key tacklers, was the patience and confidence of the Seahawks, who were able to fashion two scoring drives in the final 20 minutes of the game to seize control.  And as Wilson finally stood up to the 49ers and their staunch defensive effort, it was made that much easier by a 49ers’ offense that disappeared after the half.  The 49ers were limited to just 76 yards in offense after halftime, and their 3^rd down opportunities were anything but as the Seattle pass rush kept Kaepernick scrambling with few escape routes.

“It’s just a maximum group effort,” Seattle’s K.J. Wright said.  “Everybody is getting to the ball and making plays.  We’re not letting teams breathe out there.”

As unexpected as the 49ers’ initial competitiveness, the performance of Seattle’s defense was not.  In shutting down the 49ers when it mattered the Seahawks’ defense was simply doing what it’s been doing.  In their four-game win streak, Seattle has allowed just 27 points, 10 of those to the 49ers in two games.

With Seattle running around making plays, what ails the 49ers became crystal clear.  The 49ers’ injury-riddled offensive line can’t protect or pass block anywhere near a championship level.  Wondering why Kaepernick has regressed?  Wonder no more: key downfield target Vernon Davis is a wounded performer still limited from two very violent collisions earlier in the year and the injuries that resulted, and the rest of receiving corps offers little in terms of speed and ability to separate from defensive backs.

Davis played throughout, but saw just two passes thrown his way.  Michael Crabtree’s answer to all the verbal abuse thrown his way by Richard Sherman was to catch three passes, which combined totaled less than 20 yards.  Not letting up on the 49ers’ key possession receiver, Coach Pete Carroll demanded a review of Crabtree’s first catch as if it was unbelievable that he could catch a pass of any length with Sherman guarding him.

And the 49ers’ pass catching leader?  Fullback Bruce Miller who needed to be all things in all places with Gore and Hyde sidelined and the 49ers’ receivers blanketed.  Miller grabbed four balls for 56 yards.

In addition, the running game wasn’t exactly humming along, then Frank Gore was lost to a concussion and rookie Carlos Hyde had his afternoon end on a play where his knee and leg were visibly twisted during a tackle.  At least in Gore’s defense, he made a gutsy run on fourth down in the first quarter that went 10 yards for the 49ers’ only score of the day.

And what of the 49ers’ immediate future?  In the final two weeks, anticipate seeing more of the team’s record draft haul that saw the team draft and keep 12 rookies, including Borland and rush linebacker Aaron Lynch.  If the 49ers are brash enough to fire a coach as successful as Harbaugh, then the answer will be to embrace the challenge of hiring someone just as capable and prepared to lean heavily on their young draftees next season and beyond.

It’s not as sexy as deep playoff run, but it is the reality the 49ers face.

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