New NFC West foes, the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, meet on Monday night (9 ET, ABC).

ESPN analysts Ron Jaworski and Sean Salisbury break down the game plans of each team.

JAWORSKI VS. SALISBURY

Jaworski on the 49ers The San Francisco 49ers, at 3-1, are not playing their best football. That may sound crazy, but they ought to be thrilled with their record. Based on their talent, they have gotten uneven results through the first five weeks, particularly on offense. Their offense, behind Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia, is ranked 16th overall and only 28th through the air. A big reason for their inefficiency is that Terrell Owens has yet to become a big part of the passing game. When a team's big playmaker is not making big plays, it affects the offense's ability to consistently move the football. Just being 3-1 without much from Owens is a positive. The 49ers' young defense under Jim Mora Jr. is starting to come along and is ranked seventh in the NFL. In the offseason the 49ers made a concerted effort to develop a solid secondary to beat the Rams. Say what you want about the Rams without Kurt Warner and with a banged-up offensive line, they still have tremendous skill at the wide receiver spots. Last week the San Francisco defense showed it's much improved against an explosive passing attack. Five keys for the 49ers: 1. Get TO going: As the season moves on, they need to get the explosive plays from Owens. So far they have gotten by without Owens, but he needs to become a big part of the offense. The 49ers have to get Owens involved early in the game because he has a tendency to sink. 2. Middle men: Against a step-and-throw quarterback like Seattle's Trent Dilfer, the best approach is to get pressure up the middle. The interior defensive line, with Dana Stubblefield and Bryant Young, must get penetration and not allow Dilfer to set his feet and deliver the football. 3. Win time of possession: It seems like a normal thing to say about every game, but it will be more important for the 49ers because they haven't shown the ability to be explosive. If they win time of possession, that means they are sustaining offense and moving the football. 4. Put it on their backs: The 49ers must commit to the running game of their two rock-solid running backs, Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow. As a running attack, the 49ers average 5.4 yards a carry, the second-best average in the league. Over 16 games, the running backs take a beating. The 49ers need to continue alternating Hearst and Barlow, keeping them fresh. The Seahawks are 31st against the run, but they will be getting John Randle and Brandon Mitchell back. The 49ers need to find out if Seattle can stop the run with them in the game. 5. Explosive plays: I have always said the points come out of the passing game. The 49ers need big, explosive plays. Under head coach Steve Mariucci, the 49ers have been able to manufacture points by design. There is no doubt the 49ers will run the ball, but they need big, explosive plays. They may come from Tai Streets or J.J. Stokes because Owens will probably still draw double coverage. If so, Garcia will look to his other options for big plays against single coverage..

Salisbury on the Seahawks Though they still need to cut down on mistakes, the 1-3 Seattle Seahawks are beginning to feel better about themselves. They've finally kick-started running back Shaun Alexander, quarterback Trent Dilfer is improving and their young receivers, Darrell Jackson and Koren Robinson, are starting to step up and perform. Mike Holmgren and his team expected more from this season and I think they're finally feeling like they can make some headway. Close proximity and Holmgren ties will make Seattle-San Francisco an interesting, new NFC West rivalry. A win against the 49ers on Monday Night Football would be a huge for the Seahawks and their confidence level. Five keys for the Seahawks: 1. Stop Owens: Teams have had some luck stopping Owens via the pass. He's the key. If you stop Owens, you have a much better chance at shutting down the 49ers. He's big and physical so you can't give him free rein; you've got to play physical. If you can take Owens out of that offense, the onus will fall on Stokes and Streets to get the job done. 2. Utilize Alexander: With Alexander finally off the blocks, you've got to give him the ball any way possible. He must control this game by both the run and pass. Alexander is key; he'll create mismatch problems for the 49ers. Seattle lacks offensive weapons and won't win if they play drop back and throw or if they give it to another running back. Alexander needs to touch the ball at least 35 times 25-28 via the run, and seven or eight via the pass. To win, you have to give the ball to your best player. Alexander has to have it -- especially in prime time. 3. Keep it Close: Although most of the time, I think time of possession is a bit overrated, the 49ers are explosive with their offensive weapons. Hearst continues to play well and San Francisco is 13-1 when he rushes for over 100 yards. Seattle must shorten and control the game. You can't get in a shootout and play catch up football with the 49ers. It must be a 17-14-type game. Seattle must keep it a close, low-scoring game to have a chance. If it's high scoring, San Francisco will blow things wide open. 4. Keep Garcia in the pocket: True, Garcia is very good and accurate in the pocket. But outside the pocket, he's deadly. He's got great feet and he understands the game. When he's on the run, Garcia knows how to make things happen. If they can control Garcia with their outside ends, Seattle's chances improve. But they've got to make sure the pressure forces him to step up into the pocket and into trouble. You can't allow Garcia to side step out of the pocket, when that happens, huge plays happen for the 49ers. 5. Jump out ahead: Coming off a bye week, with two weeks to prepare, Seattle can't ease into this game. They can't go in with the mentality that it's okay to take a quarter and a half to start playing. They need to start fast, get off quickly and keep it close -- quickly. Seattle can't be lackadaisical and wait until the middle of the second quarter to realize they've got to get back into the game.