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Earl Thomas III and the Seattle Seahawks got back to playing their brand of dominant football on Thursday night.

After back-to-back losses by just a combined seven points, the Seahawks had a short turnaround and dominated the San Francisco 49ers 20-3 for their first road win of the season. While many in the media were quick to count out the Hawks after their 2-4 start, ET III and the Legion of Boom never lost faith, and he was asked why by the CBS Thursday night crew after the game.

“Because we didn’t listen to y’all,” Earl said with a smile. “We go home, we take care of business, we show up to work, and we’re going to prepare our butt off every week. I don’t care what you say: ain’t nothing changed.”

ET finished with a team-high seven tackles, as Seattle was back to its usual ways. The Seahawks limited San Francisco to just 142 yards of total offense—81 passing and 61 rushing—and just eight first downs all game.

The Hawks forced a three-and-out on the Niners’ first drive, and their offense fed off the stop immediately. The Seahawks scored on a 12-play, 61-yard drive that ended with a Marshawn Lynch 1-yard touchdown plunge.

After being limited by a hamstring injury early, Lynch had his biggest workload and biggest output of the season: 122 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. ET commented on Beast Mode’s tremendous game and what he means to the offense.

“Without him, our offense can’t function,” Earl said of Lynch. “It starts with him. The play-action game, it starts with him. Even in the read option, it starts with him. He’s very valuable.”

ET and the LOB stifled the Niners on their next drive as well. After another three-and-out, San Fran had only managed five total yards on their first two series. The Niners managed a bit more on drive No. 3 but again stalled out after just one first down.

Seattle took advantage on its next offensive drive. A 23-yard connection between quarterback Russell Wilson and Jimmy Graham set up a 49-yard field goal from Steven Hasuchka, giving the Hawks a 10-0 lead with 9:37 left in the second quarter.

After another quick stop by Earl and the defense, the Hawks had one score left in them before the break. With 2:44 remaining in the half, Wilson linked up with rookie receiver Tyler Lockett on a 43-yard touchdown, giving Seattle a 17-0 lead.

All five of the 49ers’ first-half drives ended in punts. That trend continued throughout the game. Every single one of San Fran’s drives concluded with a punt except for one: a 35-yard field goal from Phil Dawson.

The lone points of the second half were scored on back-to-back drives. One of two Wilson interceptions set up the first score. On the ensuing drive, ET made two straight tackles on 49ers running back Carlos Hyde to force a third-down. Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick threw incomplete to bring out Dawson on fourth down, and he put San Francisco on the board with 1:21 left in the third quarter.

Seattle answered back, as an 18-yard gain by Fred Jackson flipped the field and put Seattle into enemy territory. The Niners held strong after that though, forcing Hauschka back into action for a 46-yard field goal. That 20-3 lead stuck until the end of the game.

“It felt like a really normal Seahawk night tonight,’’ head coach Pete Carroll said. “That’s the way we are supposed to finish games.’’

It was a picture perfect finish for the Seahawks, who had made a bad habit out of blowing fourth-quarter leads. The Legion of Boom made a slight change in the game. Richard Sherman, who usually stick to one side of the field, instead took the task of blanketing San Francisco’s top receiver, Torrey Smith, leaving Cary Williams to cover Anquan Boldin.

The results were exceptional. Smith didn’t have a reception all game, and Boldin tallied just 39 yards on three receptions.

“Sherm got the No. 1 receiver this week, so that’s a different motivation for him,” Earl said. ”He’s that guy. He’s a team player.”

Earl was impressed with the way Sherman silenced Smith, and he also respected Williams’ willingness to let Sherman step in and cover Smith for the whole game.

“A lot of guys would have been like, ‘You are not taking me off the No. 1 receiver,’ ’’ Earl said. “He’s very humble. That’s a team player.’’

The fantastic play by Sherman, Williams, ET III and the L.O.B. allowed the Seattle defensive front to harass Kaepernick all night. Defensive end Michael Bennett had a game-leading 3.5 sacks on the night, and Cliff Avril added 1.5 sacks to the team’s total of six.

“We played disciplined, sound football,” Sherman said. “We trusted one another. Everyone did their jobs. Earl played a great game, our front seven played a phenomenal game.”

NEXT UP

Earl will now head to his homestate of Texas next week, where the Seahawks (3-4) will take on the Dallas Cowboys (2-3).

ET grew up as a Cowboys fan living in West Orange, Texas. He’s 1-2 for his career against the Cowboys, with a win in 2012 and losses in 2011 and 2014. Last year, Seattle fell 23-20 at home against Dallas, where Earl had four tackles.

“Now we have Dallas,” Sherman said. “They’re bringing in a tough opponent. Dez (Bryant) is supposed to be back. It’s going to be a fun game for us. We’re always moving forward.”

Kickoff is set for 1:45 p.m. PT and will air on FOX.

RELATED LINKS

• Sherman and Thomas discuss their 20-3 win over the 49ers (NFL, Oct. 22, 2015)
• Seahawks get on the right track in win over 49ers (Seattle Times, Oct. 22, 2015)
• Wilson, Seahawks rule rivalry with 49ers again (Seattle PI, Oct. 22, 2015)