TNF Preview: 49ers-Seahawks should be pure smashmouth, but surprises abound

If you're one of those people who love those Alabama-LSU games where the two teams playing combine for less than 10 points, tonight's game between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks is right up your alley -- at least on paper. 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh and Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll have built their teams very similarly -- the common pillars are a physical, attacking run game and dominant defense. Both teams ostensibly prefer to have their quarterbacks play conservatively, but Alex Smith and Russell Wilson are each capable of the occasional shot play. In theory, this seems like a 10-7 slobberknocker, but don't be surprised if a few more points are scored. When the 49ers have the ball The 49ers are a run-heavy team to be sure, but few offenses are more formation-diverse from play to play. Harbaugh creates opportunities for his run game by throwing multiple tight ends into his base offense; sometimes as many as three on multiple consecutive plays. Vernon Davis is the wild card there because of his ability to clear safeties on deep seam routes. The 49ers can and will run the ball effectively out of every conceivable formation -- everything from two-back max...