NFL Home for the holidays: 49ers prepare for Seahawks

Cleveland is the only team to beat San Francisco at 3Com Park.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
After four long trips over the past five weeks and with their season finale coming a day earlier than usual, no NFL team is happier to stay home this weekend than the San Francisco 49ers.
"Our plane [Sunday night] was delayed five hours while they searched for a part, so we didn't get home until 6 in the morning [Monday]," Niners coach Dennis Erickson said. "It was a heckuva trip so we're more than happy to be home for the holiday."
In some ways, the delay didn't matter -- Sunday's 31-28 overtime victory over the Eagles in Philadelphia was the Niners' (7-8) first road win of the season.
Strong safety Tony Parrish made the game's biggest play when he intercepted a Donovan McNabb pass on the first play of overtime to set up Todd Peterson's game-winning field goal.
"He's been making big plays for us all year," said Erickson of Parrish, who is tied with Minnesota safety Brian Russell with nine interceptions. "Getting so many picks at his position says a lot."
The Niners franchise, which is owned by John and Denise DeBartolo York of Canfield, will miss the NFL postseason for the first time in three years, but will help determine which team captures the NFC's final wild-card berth.
The Niners' last game of the regular season will be played Saturday at 5 p.m. at 3Com Park against the Seattle Seahawks (9-6). Mike Holmgren's team is tied with the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers.
Either the Vikings (who play the Arizona Cardinals) or Packers (who will be home against the Denver Broncos) will win the NFC North Division. The division's second-place team and the Seahawks are battling for the NFC's final wild-card berth.
The Seahawks need help because they lost to the Vikings and Packers, so a loss to the 49ers on Saturday will end their season.
Because the contest has playoff implications, Erickson said his staff will resist the urge to test younger players in game situations.
"We're going to use the players who give us the best chance to win," said Erickson, whose team's only home loss this year was to the Cleveland Browns (13-12) on Sept. 21.
Not playing will be wide receiver Terrell Owens, who suffered a broken collarbone in the second quarter in Philadelphia.
Erickson said Tai Streets, Cedric Wilson and rookie Brandon Lloyd will share wideout responsibilities against the Seahawks.
"He's gotten a lot better as the season has gone on," said Erickson of Lloyd, the Niners' fourth-round back from the University of Illinois. "There are things he needs to improve upon in the offseason, but we feel he has a great future."
Although he would prefer to have Owens for one more game before the 30-year-old receiver tests free agency, Erickson said his absence "gives us an opportunity to see how Lloyd can play on a consistent basis."
Because of the short week, Erickson gave his players Monday off (instead of the usual Tuesday) and won't have the players report today until late morning.
"That way the players with young kids can be there when they wake up on Christmas morning," Erickson said.
Erickson credited Sunday's upset win over the Eagles to his defenders' heavy blitzing of McNabb.
"We blitzed quite a bit, which put us in a lot of man coverage, but we felt that if you can get after him and force him to make quick decisions, he's not as effective," Erickson said. "If he has time to move around, he makes things happen."
Because the NFL is a copycat league, Erickson said he won't be surprised to see the Eagles' playoff opponents execute a similar scheme.
"Like everybody else, we look at what everybody else does, then make a decision on what to do based on what works within our packages," Erickson said. "When something works, people usually notice."
Right guard Ron Stone reinjured an ankle against the Eagles and "is very questionable" for Saturday's game.
"We probably won't know for sure until [today]," Erickson said.
williams@vindy.com