SANTA CLARA – Frank Gore may have been overshadowed by the 49ers' passing attack Sunday, but the running back isn't complaining. He knows all too well what it's like when there's no passing attack at all.

"Now teams can see that we can make plays and go downfield," Gore said Monday. "And I can go crazy again."

The last time Gore went crazy was 2006, when defenses had to account not only for him but for wide receiver Antonio Bryant and offensive coordinator Norv Turner's passing attack. Gore rushed for 1,695 yards that season and made his first Pro Bowl.

Last year, however, opponents put eight and sometimes nine defenders on the line of scrimmage to bottle up Gore.

And why wouldn't they? The 49ers' best passing day came in Week 11, when Trent Dilfer threw for 256 yards in a win over Arizona. J.T. O'Sullivan has already eclipsed that mark with his 321-yard effort in Sunday's win over Seattle.

Seattle's plan was to stop Gore and blitz O'Sullivan, who was making his first start on the road in the league's noisiest outdoor stadium. The strategy was somewhat effective. Gore ran for 61 yards on 19 carries, and O'Sullivan was sacked eight times.

But the plan also left the Seahawks' defensive backs in one-on-one coverage with the San Francisco wideouts, and O'Sullivan made them pay.

"Every game you want to come out and stop the run, especially with a back like Frank Gore who can change the game," Seattle linebacker Leroy Hill said. "We did that, but it opened up some things for O'Sullivan to throw the ball downfield, and that's what happened."

Limping lineup – Gore was one of the few players available after coach Mike Nolan invoked "Win Monday" and gave players the day off.

The only players required to be at team headquarters were those needing treatment. Gore was limping noticeably but said he'll be fine for Sunday's game against Detroit. He never left the Seattle game.

Following Sunday's victory, linebacker Patrick Willis also promised he would play after missing 14 snaps because of a leg injury. Willis left at the end of the third quarter but returned in the fourth.

Nolan had no updates on offensive tackle Jonas Jennings (shoulder) and safety Dashon Goldson (knee), both of whom were knocked out of the game and did not return.

Jennings has missed 27 starts since the 49ers made him their marquee free-agent acquisition in 2005. They signed his backup, Barry Sims, because of Jennings' lack of durability.

"Look, it's as much of a disappointment to him as it is to all of us," Nolan said. "Hopefully, whatever comes out of this, it's not a long injury. Hopefully, he'll be right back. But it's just something that you deal with in this game. Like I said, hopefully we get him back soon."

Et cetera – Seattle coach Mike Holmgren planned on playing quarterback Seneca Wallace (Cordova High School) a "fair amount" at receiver Sunday, but Wallace pulled a calf muscle during pregame warmups and did not play.

• Nate Clements was penalized for an illegal celebration after Willis' touchdown return because he fell to his knees and gave a "we're not worthy" gesture. Players are prohibited from dropping to the ground during end-zone celebrations.

• The 49ers set a franchise record with 55 sacks allowed last year but are on pace to give up 96 this year.

Read Matthew Barrows' 49ers blog at www.sacbee.com/ninersblog.