Seahawks defender: Kap gives 49ers best chance, Gabbert ‘no challenge'

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SEATTLE – When asked Sunday if he considered summoning quarterback Colin Kaepernick from the sideline to replace starter Blaine Gabbert, 49ers coach Chip Kelly answered, “No.”

But one prominent member of the Seattle Seahawks defense said he believes Kaepernick gives the 49ers a much better chance of winning than Gabbert, who played every snap in San Francisco’s 37-18 loss on Sunday.

Veteran defensive lineman Michael Bennett was asked what kind of challenge Gabbert provided for the Seahawks defense.

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“There is no challenge,” Bennett said. “He threw for 100 yards. The challenge is him reading the defense and staying in the pocket. What’s the point in running when you have to throw the ball? I think Kaepernick gives the team a better chance to win, but that’s just my opinion.”

Gabbert completed 14 of 25 passes for 119 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He ran for 22 yards on five rushing attempts.

The 49ers failed on their first 10 third-down opportunities while trailing 37-3. The 49ers scored a couple of late touchdowns on back-to-back Carlos Hyde runs of eight yards.

Kaepernick has not experienced much success in his seven career starts against the Seahawks, including a loss in the NFC Championship game in January 2014.

Kaepernick has completed 101 of 189 pass attempts (53 percent) for 1,085 yards with three touchdowns and nine interceptions. His career passer rating against Seattle is 54.2. The 49ers have a 1-6 record against the Seahawks with Kaepernick as the starter.

In two starts against Seattle (both losses) the past two seasons, Gabbert has completed 36 of 59 pass attempts (61 percent) for 383 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His passer rating in those two games is 78.6.

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