49ers’ playoff hopes alive as Seahawks fall

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO

Not only is Alex Smith playing for a job next season, he might be helping coach Mike Singletary save his.

A switch of quarterbacks named Smith did wonders to keep San Francisco’s hopes alive.

Alex Smith threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns in a triumphant return to the starting lineup following a five-game absence, and the 49ers improved their once-slim playoff chances with a 40-21 victory over the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

The Niners muddled up the ugly West race even more with a surprisingly lopsided win.

San Francisco (5-8) moved within a game of division leaders Seattle (6-7) and St. Louis (6-7), which lost 31-13 at New Orleans.

The 49ers looked much more like the team that was predicted to win the division after an unbeaten preseason — not the bunch that began 0-5.

“We’re a young team and today was big for us,” Singletary said. “But at the same time, today means nothing if we don’t play well next week. We have very little room for error, and we have to understand that.”

Matt Hasselbeck went 27 for 42 for 285 yards and two TDs, but threw four interceptions and lost a fumble as Seattle had turnovers in five of six possessions during one stretch.

“They didn’t have to do anything special today because we gave them so many good shots and good opportunities,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said.

Vernon Davis caught five passes for 70 yards and a 42-yard catch-and-run TD, Josh Morgan made a 15-yard touchdown reception and Brian Westbrook hauled in a 62-yard touchdown pass for his longest career TD catch and longest play from scrimmage since 2006.