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The San Francisco 49ers are widely considered one of the best teams in the National Football League–but you wouldn’t know that by the dismal preseason they’re having.

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Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers have made it to the NFC Championship all three years during his tenure. In 2012, he led them to a Super Bowl appearance against the Baltimore Ravens. Even last year, the 49ers fell

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just a few yards short of making it back to the big game, until Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman made the play of the year.

So far this preseason, the 49ers offense has looked absolutely horrendous. In three preseason games, the 49ers starting offense hasn’t scored a single touchdown. None whatsoever. The biggest highlight of the 49ers starting

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offense so far this preseason has been a Phil Dawson 25 yard field goal against the Baltimore Ravens.

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Of course people (mostly 49ers fans) will argue, “It’s only preseason,” and it “doesn’t even count.” Former offensive lineman and three time Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth summarizes NFL preseason best when he says, “It doesn’t count, but it does matter.”

Starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been starting for the 49ers since 2012, and he’s shown he’s fully capable of leading them to the promise land. His 31 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and 93.8 rating backs that up. This off-season, the 49ers rewarded Kaepernick with a new seven year $126.97 million contract. Despite the big contract and past success, this preseason hasn’t been good for the 49ers quarterback.

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Against the Ravens, Kaepernick saw very little action only throwing one pass. In his second preseason game, against the Denver Broncos, Kaepernick wasn’t very impressive at all. He completed five of nine passes for just 39 yards.

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Constant punts led to a decisive 34-0 Bronco victory. The third preseason game is always the one in which we see the most playing time from the

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starters. Kaepernick saw a lot of playing time against the San Diego Chargers throwing 12 passes for only 59 yards. His lost fumble and inaccurate throws highlighted much of the first half for the 49ers offense.

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Kaepernick is still battling a foot injury from last season, which looks to be affecting his running game.

Another factor to consider is Frank Gore. Gore has been one of the best running backs in the NFL since being drafted by the franchise in 2005.

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Although Gore is one of the most consistent backs in the league, he is now 31 years old. Running backs aren’t typical very effective after the age of 30.

NaVorro Bowman is one of the best defensive players in the league, but he is still recovering from a torn ACL from last season. His return date is not yet been set. Aldon Smith is still waiting to hear on his likely suspension. Smith has had multiple run ins with the law, most recently including an incident at Los Angeles International Airport.

With Anquan Boldin, Brandon Lloyd, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree as his top targets, there’s no more excuses for Kaepernick. His rival quarterback in Seattle, Russell Wilson, is doing more with less.

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Luckily for the 49ers offense, they will be facing what was worst defense in the NFL last season week one, the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys don’t have a great pas rush or run defense, and they can’t defend the deep ball. If there was a great opportunity to end an offensive drought, facing the Cowboys is just what the doctor ordered.

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Again, it’s only preseason. The games don’t officially count, but concerns will grow and evaluations will be made. The new stadium (Levi’s Stadium) has also brought up some slipping issues. The 49ers don’t play on natural grass anymore. The turf sod that is being laid down hasn’t worked out as well as planned.

Packers defensive line. He has trailed off considerably, but the news that he was lost for the year with a torn bicep still takes a starter in the center of their defense off the Seahawks vs Packers Live Stream field. Perhaps more impactful was the news that starting center JC Tretter is out for at least six weeks. The Packers let a high quality center in Evan Dietrich-Smith walk in free agency to the Bucs, largely due to their confidence in Tretter. Patriots vs Dolphins Live Stream

Tough place to get your first start

Corey Linsley will play in place of Tretter, and get his first start in CenturyLink Field. The center/quarterback exchange is tough enough on a neutral field when the two player have little experience playing together. Linsley will face the NFL’s toughest crowd on a night they are certain to be raring to go.

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It will also give the interior of the Seahawks line an edge versus the run, which could be a key to the outcome given the quality of Eddie Lacy in the backfield. The Packers love to run up the middle, and are now clearly weaker there. And, of 

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course, pass protection will be chaotic. Seattle uses twists and line movement as well as any team in the league. They play with speed and persistent energy that can confuse even the most experienced lines. The Packers experienced it a couple years

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ago when the Seahawks recorded 8 sacks in the first half. Expecting a repeat of that type of pressure is unrealistic, but it will no doubt weigh on the Packers coaching staff as they game plan. Of course, the best remedy for alleviating pass rush is a good running game. Linsley will be at the center of things in a variety of ways.

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Gooey middle

Raji played horribly last year, but it says something that he was still the starter at nose tackle. The Packers added Julius Peppers to an already solid pass rush with Clay Mathews, but the Seahawks are a run-first team that is now getting possible Pro

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Bowl play from their guards, and their center has All-Pro credentials. Add to that their increased ability to spread a defense wide with their quick passing game and jet sweeps, and the middle of their opponents’ defense will always be challenged.

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A Seahawks team that can run effectively up the middle becomes a very difficult team to beat. The Packers will likely add a veteran free agent to help address the gap, but they will remain vulnerable.

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Nothing is given

This Packers team remains one of the strongest challengers to the Seahawks in the NFC. Nobody is better than Aaron Rodgers. Lacy is as close as there is to a young Marshawn Lynch in the NFL, and they have some special players on defense as well. These injuries reduce their chances of winning in week one, but those chances are

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still as good as almost any team that will visit CenturyLink this season. Nine more days…

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