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Oh So Close

Finally, there is something tangible.

The 49ers have talked for weeks about the improvements being made and why there is reason for hope.

And against the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks, they picked a good time to show they had not completely forgotten how to play football.

Chalk up their 27-25 loss as a sign of encouragement from a 49ers team that had not only been extremely bad but extremely boring.

Under ordinary circumstances, it might have been a crushing defeat.

But 49ers coach Mike Nolan did not quite see it as a calamity. After all, he has witnessed plenty of unpleasant sights in his short tenure as coach of a 2-8 team.

Niner News:
Seattle survives San Francisco scare
Sacramento Bee: The NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks left Monster Park with a collective "Phew!" Sunday after racing out to 15-point second-half lead and then nearly losing it to the suddenly offensive-minded 49ers.

More Niner News...
A Seahawk's praise excites rookie Snyder
Sacramento Bee: He's only been a starter for two weeks, but Adam Snyder might be another star in the making for the rebuilding 49ers.

Third-string tailback Hicks shines
Sacramento Bee: Already missing rookie Frank Gore, the 49ers found themselves with just two healthy tailbacks Sunday when Kevan Barlow was knocked out of the game in the third quarter with a concussion.

Nolan optimistic after narrow loss, but 49ers haven't shown...
Mercury News: I loved the sound of Mike Nolan's voice in the aftermath of Sunday's thrilling 49ers defeat. It sounded like . . . victory.

Rare trip to end zone so nice, they did it twice
San Francisco Chronicle: The 22-yard touchdown pass from Ken Dorsey to Brandon Lloyd in the fourth quarter of the 49ers' 27-25 loss to Seattle should by rights have been a much more momentous event.

Good, not enough 49ers find footing, but fall just short
San Francisco Chronicle: There were moments Sunday at Candlestick when fans might have been reminded of the 49ers' glorious, touchdown-scoring past. And not just that moment when Steve Young accepted his Hall of Fame ring during a halftime ceremony.

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