The Sports Xchange

RENTON, Wash. — The San Francisco 49ers had no answer for Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett on Thursday night.

Bennett sacked quarterback Colin Kaepernick 3.5 times and nearly received credit for another sack that was split between Brandon Mebane and David King.

“Michael was causing problems and just getting off the line of scrimmage really well,” head coach Pete Carroll said. “Mike is such a disruptor. He really caused problems. Even when he wasn’t getting to the quarterback, he was causing some issues and guys were giving it up and it was a really good night for him.”

49ers linemen Erik Pears and Jordan Devey couldn’t keep Bennett out of the backfield.

“The quarterback held the ball today, so it just gave me some time to get there,” Bennett said. “I have to give it to the DBs. They did a great job today, everybody as a whole did great as a defense.

Bennett’s 3.5 sacks were the second-most by any individual player in an NFL game this season. Only Cameron Wake’s four sacks for Miami last Sunday against Tennessee topped Bennett’s performance.

Bennett is now tied with Carlos Dunlap of the Cincinnati Bengals for the league lead in sacks with 6.5.

–Russell Wilson tossed a pair of interceptions that turned a superb night into just a very good night for the Seahawks’ starting quarterback.

Wilson forced a throw toward Doug Baldwin in the end zone right before halftime that was intercepted by 49ers cornerback Trumaine Brock. Then in the third quarter, Wilson made an ill-advised throw into double coverage toward Jermaine Kearse deep downfield.

Seattle had just moved into the 49ers red zone when Wilson forced the ball toward Baldwin. Meanwhile, Ricardo Lockette was standing wide open along the sidelines with no defender within five yards of him for what would have been an easy completion and a step out of bounds to stop the clock.

The interception toward Kearse was thrown right into the help from the deep safety and was intercepted by Kenneth Acker.

“I was really disappointed in the long ball. That was too bad. We don’t need to do that,” head coach Pete Carroll said. “He thought he had something, but we don’t need to throw the ball up like that.”

The two interceptions were a part of just six non-completions for Wilson on Thursday night. He completed 18-of-24 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown – a 43-yard bomb to Tyler Lockett. His 9.8 yards per completion were the second best mark of the season for Wilson.

If not for the two picks, Wilson’s night could have looked even better.

Notes: Right tackle Garry Gilliam (ankle) was replaced for the majority of the second half by backup Alvin Bailey. Gilliam had been limited in practice throughout the week and Carroll said they tried to lighten the load for him in the game. … Left tackle Russell Okung briefly left the game in the second half, but returned after just a couple plays. The absence forced Gilliam to return at right tackle so Bailey could move to left tackle in the interim. Okung’s injury isn’t anything substantial. … Cornerback Richard Sherman trailed wide receiver Torrey Smith for the majority of the game. Sherman has primarily remained at left cornerback for Seattle the last several seasons, but has been asked to trail specific receivers more frequently this year.