Seahawks soar to early lead over 49ers

(AP) Marshawn Lynch scored twice and Richard Sherman returned a blocked field goal 90 yards for another touchdown to give the Seattle Seahawks a 21-0 lead over the San Francisco 49ers early in the second quarter Sunday night.

San Francisco failed to gain a yard on its opening possession and Seattle took the field for the first time with great field position. A good return from Leon Washington on the punt and a personal-foul penalty on Tremaine Brock gave the Seahawks the ball at the 49ers 35.

Two plays later, Seattle struck. Russell Wilson completed a pass to Zach Miller for 11 yards and Lynch ran for 24 yards for a touchdown.

On the first play of the Seahawks' next series, Wilson connected with Doug Baldwin for a 46-yard gain on a juggling catch to move back into San Francisco territory. Wilson then connected with Lynch out of the backfield for a 9-yard stroke. It was Lynch's first receiving touchdown since Nov. 27, 2011, against Washington. It was only the second time this season the 49ers have allowed 14 points in the first quarter.

San Francisco finally mounted its first substantial drive into Seahawks' territory. A personal-foul penalty against Kam Chancellor moved San Francisco into the red zone. A third-down pass from Colin Kaepernick to Michael Crabtree went through Sherman's hands, forcing a field goal try.

On the third play of the second quarter, defensive end Red Bryant and got his right hand up to block David Akers' 21-yard attempt. The ball caromed sideways and bounced perfectly to Sherman, who scooped up the ball and ran 90 yards untouched to give the Seahawks a 21-0 lead.