THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: 49ers, ‘Seahawkers,’ injury theories and other guys

Some guy who hasn’t played in two years is dominating the conversation in the NFC West, if not all of the NFL. 

OK, Aaron Donald was really good for many years, but still ... 

If you’re a Seahawks fan, you have to be wondering why much of the national media is saying the Rams are the favorites to win the Super Bowl. 

After all, didn’t your team just win the aforementioned Super Bowl, and return most of the key pieces of said champs? 

And if you’re a 49ers fan ... well, you’re just hoping two more players didn’t get injured on the flight to Melbourne. 

Normally, the NFL season doesn’t officially begin until the second Sunday in September. 

But with the Seahawks playing in the league opener Wednesday, and the 49ers facing the Rams on Thursday (or Friday, if you’re there in person), these “early” first-week games seem a little more important in these parts.

THE 49ERS have plenty of “stars” to be in the Super Bowl hunt — they’ve played in the game twice in the last seven years. 

But those stars have also watched way too many games in recent years from a luxury box, or from the sidelines, or from home. 

Also, even when they're healthy, they seem to have an imbalance of really good guys and too many “other guys” that make you say, “He’s a nice backup, but if this guy has to actually play, we’re in trouble.” 

Those crazy internet theories that many of the 49ers injuries stem from practicing near an electrical substation have been debunked, but SOMETHING has to be at the root of all those guys missing huge chunks of the season. 

How would Seattle do if Sam Darnold missed half the season with an injury? Or Jaxon Smith-Njigba? Or Leonard Williams? Or ... 

You get the drift. 

But most of the Seahawk “stars” are healthy ... and really happy, especially after getting paid. What’s the old saying ... the best ability is availability? 

Seahawk fans, this is your window. Young, talented, still-hungry team, and a coach regarded as a “genius” by many after just two seasons.

Of course, you had a similar window roughly a decade ago, under the previous “genius” coach. 

We all know what happened after that. 

Anyway, Seahawks fans have a right to feel slighted — Seattle won the Super Bowl, beat the Rams to get there ... and the Rams are suddenly the favorites this year? 

The Rams might be more like the 49ers — talented enough to win it, and fun to watch, but if any of their aging stars go down, they could be headed to 6-11. 

THE SEAHAWKS were gifted a golden opportunity to start the season — a chance to hammer the Patriots for a second straight game, this time, in front of their home fans. 

I would think it’s Seattle’s Super Bowl to lose, no matter what they’re saying nationally. 

Maybe Kansas City’s quarterback returns to full health, and the Chiefs return to being contenders. 

Other than that, seems like a lot of wannabes out there. 

Hopefully the 49ers can challenge that team that used to play in the Kingdome, with that “North Idaho Seahawkers” banner behind the bench on the far sideline, easily visible on TV. 

That is, if they can stay healthy, and if their “other guys” don’t cost them games, and maybe actually help them win games. 

You know, that injury stuff might be contagious — I may have strained a finger typing this. 

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1205, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @CdAPressSports.