49ers crash Seahawks’ party

The setting was perfect for Alex Smith to fail: His team was trailing, it was cold and wet, and the crowd expected another Seahawks’ division title.

Instead, Smith put together the best 15 minutes of his pro career.

Smith accounted for three fourth-quarter touchdowns -- two passing, one running -- and the San Francisco 49ers prevented the Seattle Seahawks from clinching the NFC West with a 24-14 victory Thursday night.

“The boy just became a grown man today, baby,” 49ers running back Frank Gore said of his quarterback. “There’s a lot more to come.”

Keeping the 49ers’ playoff hopes alive, Smith tossed an eight-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis early in the fourth quarter, then capped a 10-play, 73-yard drive with a 20-yard scoring pass to Gore with 4:01 left that sent soaked Seahawks fans to the exits.

One play after a delay-of-game penalty on third and one, Smith stepped out of Kelly Herndon’s grasp, scrambled and found Gore behind the defense near the goal line. San Francisco (6-8) broke a three-game losing streak and swept both games from Seattle (8-6).

“I think we always knew [we could beat Seattle],” Smith said. “I think that changed a couple of weeks ago when we beat them at our place. I think this team grew up a little bit tonight.”

If his fourth-quarter passing wasn’t enough, Smith faked the defense and ran 18 yards for a touchdown with 1:42 left.

The questions continue about the Seahawks. Seattle lost its second consecutive divisional game, ending any hopes of getting a first-round bye in the playoffs.

“We need to find a way to win this week or next week or somehow,” Seattle’s Bryce Fisher said. “Otherwise there’s going to be a lot of us getting our lockers cleaned out.”