"To Vernon Davis, the end zone looked a lot like a welcome mat. His touchdown catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers ended a three-week drought without a score.

His 72 yards on Monday night also marked Davis' highest receiving total since Week 3.

"I was very excited that I was able to be involved in the passing game and help my team win," Davis said this week.

Davis would love be a target again Saturday when the 49ers face the Seahawks in Seattle. But he won't make a peep if he isn't. Davis, in his sixth year, continues to ride the waves instead of making them.

He hadn't topped 40 receiving yards in any of his previous three games before breaking out on Monday Night football. But he's contributed in other ways.

"He's done everything that the team has asked him to do and done it very well. Done it at a very high level," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said Thursday. "I think he's having an outstanding season. One of the top tight ends in the game of football. I think he's having that kind of a year."

Since 2009, Davis ranks first among NFL tight ends with 26 touchdown catches. (That ranks third among all players). His numbers are modest by his standards this season -- 620 yards, six TDs.

His leadership is harder to measure. Earlier this week, Davis tweeted his support of injured receiver Braylon Edwards by calling him a "true professional" and saying "I'm very thankful to have him on my team.""