"Forcing turnovers has been the key to success for both the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers this season. San Francisco leads the league in takeaways with 35, and the Niners also top the NFL with a plus-25 turnover differential."It's a product of hustle, players' ability and scheme – all of those things," San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said. "Much like Seattle, you watch them on tape and you can continually see their guys in the right places with the right leverage.

And therefore they make the interception, or they make the tip or the deflection, or make the hit that causes the fumble." The Seahawks have forced 18 turnovers in the past six games, most in the league in that time frame. San Francisco is second during that span with 16. Seattle has a plus-8 turnover differential this season, forcing 29 turnovers and turning those miscues into 97 points. Seattle finished with a minus-9 turnover ratio last season, tied for 27th in the league. "It's absolutely the No. 1 philosophy in how you play the game for us," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said about his team's recent turnover streak. "It's all about the ball, and guys are doing it."One of the reasons for Seattle's success creating turnovers has been the offense's ability to get ahead. The Seahawks have been ahead or tied at the end of the first half in five of the past six games, which allows the defensive linemen to pin their ears back and rush the passer. San Francisco's about-face in the turnover department has a lot to do with the play of quarterback Alex Smith. The Utah product finished with 12 turnovers in 10 starts last season, but this year Smith has thrown only five interceptions while tossing 16 touchdown passes."