49ers Beat Seahawks in Battle for First

The San Francisco 49ers sit alone atop the N.F.C. West for now — hardly the kind of firm hold on the division they owned last October. The Fifth Down The latest news, notes and analysis of the N.F.L. playoffs. Go to The Fifth Down Blog N.F.L. Live Scoreboard Standings Stats | Injuries Giants Schedule/Results Stats | Roster Depth Chart Jets Schedule/Results Stats | Roster Depth Chart Alex Smith threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Delanie Walker late in the third quarter, and San Francisco held off the visiting Seattle Seahawks, 13-6, on Thursday night as the 49ers won their long-awaited division opener. Frank Gore ran for 131 yards, and the 49ers (5-2) made just enough plays to win this defense-first game, featuring two teams allowing fewer than 16 points per game. Walker’s score was San Francisco’s first touchdown in seven quarters after an embarrassing 26-3 loss to the Giants on Sunday in a lopsided rematch of the N.F.C Arizona Cardinals Jerseys. championship game. Walker, a tight end, broke his jaw in two places at Seattle last season on Dec. 24 and sat out until the title game. Smith completed 14 of 23 passes for 140 yards, but the defense hung tough down the stretch. The N.F.C. rushing leader, Marshawn Lynch, ran for 103 yards for Seattle (4-3) in a game that was close until the end. After Walker’s touchdown, Dashon Goldson intercepted a deep pass by Russell Wilson to thwart Seattle’s next drive. Smith gave the ball back with an interception of his own early in the fourth quarter. With the interception, his fifth of the season, he matched his total from last season. Wilson went 9 of 23 for 122 yards. OVERDOSE KILLED REID’S SON An accidental heroin overdose killed Garrett Reid, the son of Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid, a coroner said. Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek said a toxicology test confirmed the presence of heroin in Garrett Reid’s body. Investigators revealed they found a used syringe and spoon in his room, along with a gym

bag filled with dozens of syringes and needles, many of them unopened. “We are confident today that Mr. Reid’s death was the result of a self-injected lethal dose of heroin,” District Attorney John Morganelli said at a news conference in Easton, Pa. Reid was found dead in his dorm room early on Aug. 5 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., where he was assisting the team’s strength and conditioning coach during training camp. He was a recovering drug addict who had seemingly turned his life around. His father, Andy Reid, had indicated that his 29-year-old son may have had a relapse. UNION ACTION IN BOUNTY CASE The N.F.L. Players Association filed papers in federal court pointing out that the N.F.L. permitted a 1996 incentive program for big hits funded by then-Green Bay defensive lineman Reggie White. In papers filed in United States District Court, the union questioned why Commissioner Roger Goodell should now be able to suspend the former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita for offering then-New Orleans teammates rewards for big plays during the 2009 season. The filing cited media reports about White’s “smash-for-cash” program that paid $500 for big plays, including big hits. The reports, now nearly 16 years old, include players from other teams discussing similar pools climbing into the thousands of dollars. GARCON ‘LONG SHOT’ TO PLAY Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said the injured receiver Pierre Garcon was a “long shot” to play against the Giants on Sunday. Garcon missed practice for a second day in a row, getting treatment for the painful swelling on the bottom of a right toe that has kept him out of three of Washington’s past five games. He will skip practice Friday, too Cheap Jerseys. FLAK JACKET FOR RICHARDSON The Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson will wear a protective flak jacket in Sunday’s game against the Colts. Richardson sustained a rib cartilage injury in last Sunday’s win over Cincinnati. PANTHER MISSES PRACTICE Panthers linebacker Jon Beason missed his second straight day of practice, increasing the likelihood that the rookie Luke Kuechly will make his second start at middle linebacker against the Cowboys on Sunday.