Coach Jim Harbaugh hit the campaign trail hard Tuesday, declaring quarterback Alex Smith worthy of the Pro Bowl.

Harbaugh’s vote of confidence didn’t stop there. Asked if he envisions Smith as the 49ers’ “long-term” quarterback, Harbaugh replied simply: “I do.”

Smith has celebrated wins in 11 of 14 games, thrown just five interceptions and lost only two fumbles for the NFC West-champion 49ers. Those are the vital statistics Harbaugh wants NFC players and coaches to consider Wednesday and Thursday when they select three quarterbacks on their Pro Bowl ballots.

“Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Alex Smith — I think those are the top three in the NFC in my humble opinion,” Harbaugh said.

Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers (13-1) are in line to land home-field advantage in the playoffs while Smith’s 49ers hold a tiebreaker edge for the No. 2 seed over Brees’ Saints (11-3).

Drafted first overall in 2005, Smith has shed his turnover habits and complemented the 49ers’ first playoff run since 2002. He is on his third contract with the 49ers, but it expires at season’s end.

“He’s done a marvelous job of taking care of the football, and he’s playing championship football,” said coach Pete Carroll, whose resurgent Seattle Seahawks (7-7) host the 49ers on Saturday. “If he can get to the Pro Bowl, great.”

In Monday night’s win 20-3 win over Pittsburgh, Smith passed for 187 yards and one touchdown. But he did not get sacked, and he committed no turnovers for a third straight game.

“Felt like we did some good things in the pass game, (but) left a little bit out there,” Smith said.

Harbaugh called defensive tackle Justin Smith the 49ers’ most valuable player, and linebacker Patrick Willis considered Smith a potential NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate. “Justin Smith, play after play, he’s kicking (expletive), for a lack of a better term,” Harbaugh said.

Willis confirmed he’s making strides in rehabilitation on the right hamstring he strained Dec. 4. He called Monday’s defensive showcase “much needed” after a 21-19 loss at Arizona in the 49ers’ previous game.

Harbaugh said he didn’t know if Ted Ginn’s lower-leg injury would pose a long-term concern. Ginn got hurt returning the second-half kickoff.

Wide receiver Braylon Edwards is expected to return to the lineup after being inactive Monday night. Harbaugh said he based Edwards’ demotion on recent showings in practice and games. Edwards’ season-long health issues were not mentioned as a factor.

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has run for over 100 yards in five of his past seven games. “Marshawn is running that ball like he just got out of jail,” 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers said.

Punter Andy Lee’s net average of 44.14 yards would break the league record set by the Raiders’ Shane Lechler in 2009 (43.85 yards).