On Thursday night, George Kittle and the 49ers defeated the Seahawks in a late game on the road. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The San Francisco 49ers shouldn't have worried too much after starting the season 2-3. They are still one of the best teams in football. It's not perfect yet for the 49ers and a lot of that has to do with injuries, but I don't think San Francisco has lost much.
On Thursday night, the 49ers had a dominant lead in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks, allowed the Seahawks to get back into the game briefly in the second half, but ultimately slammed the door behind them and defeated their NFC West rival again, this time by points. 36-24.
George Kittle scored twice and Deebo Samuel Sr. scored a long touchdown and led the way to victory.
In an ideal world, San Francisco would not allow Seattle to come back, would be undefeated, and would be the talk of the entire NFL. It hasn't been a perfect start, but the 49ers are still pretty good.
The 49ers quickly took the lead
One of the reasons the Seahawks made the somewhat surprising decision to end the Pete Carroll era was because they had been outscored by the 49ers over the past few seasons. There were more factors that went into this decision, but the complete lack of competitiveness against their NFC West rival hung over the franchise. They have lost five games, including the playoffs, to the 49ers over the last two seasons, and none of them have been competitive.
New Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald had many of the same issues on Thursday night.
The game started off well for the Seahawks. They drove deep into 49ers territory. But then Geno Smith missed badly on a throw that was picked off by safety Malik Mustapha. This was the first sign of concern.
After this interception, the 49ers ran back at their own 3-yard line, but drove 90 yards. The 49ers settled for a field goal late in the series – red zone execution was perhaps the only thing that didn't work well for San Francisco's offense or defense on Thursday – but the action was all too familiar. As usual, the 49ers pushed the Seahawks forward.
The first half and the beginning of the second went exactly like this. Kittle's first touchdown gave the 49ers a 23-3 lead. But the 49ers, who have already blown two fourth-quarter leads due to blowouts this season, had to make things interesting again.
The Seahawks are back in the game
The 49ers offense moved the ball with ease, except in the red zone. The defense played all over the field and hit everything blue very hard. It was San Francisco's special teams that allowed the Seahawks to get back into the game.
After the 49ers took a 23-3 lead that seemed insurmountable, Laviska Shenault Jr. she started the game 97 yards and scored a touchdown. It was the second return for a touchdown in the NFL this season. Kenneth Walker III then scored and the Seahawks led 23-17. Niners defenseman Jordan Mason suffered a shoulder injury in the first half and only played in the first action of the second half, which affected the offense, which had missed Christian McCaffrey all season. San Francisco seemed to be in big trouble.
Smith made an interception that virtually decided the outcome. DK Metcalf was badly tackled, Renardo Green fielded the ball and the 49ers were in good position to end the game.
Kittle scored again and the 49ers led 29-17. The Seahawks recovered a touchdown and led 29-24 with less than two minutes remaining. They started with all three timeouts remaining. But Mason's replacement, Isaac Guerendo, who was filling in for McCaffrey, broke off a 76-yard run. Kyle Juszczyk scored with 1:17 left to put the game on the board.
The 49ers have had some concerns, and three early season losses don't stop their hopes of clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC. But Thursday night was further proof that the Seahawks and the NFC West still own it, even if there's still work to be done.
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FINAL: 49ers 36, Seahawks 24
49ers take the lead after Seattle turns it over on downs following an incomplete pass in the 4th minute.
Brock Purdy takes a knee to end San Francisco's 36-24 victory.
Geno Smith fired
Seattle scores first on 4th-and-10 on a 12-yard pass from Geno Smith to Noah Fant.
However, two plays later, Smith is sacked by Sam Okuayinonu for a six-yard loss. First foul in the whole match.
Touchdown, 49ers
Kyle Juszczyk runs up the middle and goes six yards to San Francisco. After the extra point, the 49ers lead 36-24 with 1:17 left in the game.
First down and much, much more
The Seahawks aren't getting the break they need. Isaac Guerendo breaks up a 76-yard kick at right tackle for the 49ers and slides to the Seattle 5-yard line to end the game.
The Seahawks do not attempt onside kicks
The Seahawks don't attempt an onside kick, hoping the defense can get the ball back with 1:39 left and after all three timeouts.
Touchdown, Seahawks
Tyler Lockett isn't giving up this pass. Geno Smith hits him for a nine-yard score on a return in the middle of the end zone.
After the extra point it is 29-24 with 1:44 left in the match.
2-minute warning in Seattle
Tyler Lockett almost caught a nine-yard pass into the back of the end zone for a touchdown, but couldn't keep it.
It was the Seahawks' second nine-yard score with 1:59 left.
Seahawks TD negated by penalty
An illegal substitution penalty on Kenneth Walker eliminates Geno Smith's 52-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf.
Touchdown, 49ers
After two attacks by Patrick Taylor Jr. Brock Purdy hits George Kittle over the middle for a nine-yard pass.
It was Kittle's second touchdown of the evening.
San Francisco misses a two-point conversion attempt and has a 29-17 lead with 6:20 left.
Interception by Geno Smith
Geno Smith is intercepted by Renardo Green at the Seahawks 35-yard line.
After a 20-yard return, San Francisco takes over at the Seattle 15.
The NFL says it didn't have the proper camera angle when checking the replays
Prime Video rules analyst Terry McAulay said the league didn't have a better video angle for Dee Williams' apparent spins that the TV show showed.
Did Terry McCauley just say Amazon Prime has better cameras and equipment than NFL headquarters???
“I talked to Walt Anderson at the command center in New York. From what they tell me, they haven't received our enhanced video of the ball touching the toe. They only had the raw image from our cameras and it was not clear and obvious to them that it had touched their finger.”
The 49ers have 1 timeout with 9:38 left
San Francisco calls a timeout on 3rd-and-9 from the Seattle 40-yard line. That leaves the 49ers with just one timeout after they lost it in the replay.
The Seahawks can't take advantage of the situation
Despite the apparent lapse in replay review, the Seahawks have to punt after five plays and 12 yards. Seattle couldn't get another first down after Zach Charbonnet had a 9-yard run on 2nd-and-7 to the Seahawks' 30-yard line.
Questionable replay review
Seattle apparently committed a turnover when punt returner Dee Williams touched the ball before the 49ers downed it. Initially, the on-field signal looked like San Francisco had hit the Seattle returner before he could catch the ball. However, the referees agreed that the attacker was pushed into the receiver.
The 49ers requested a re-evaluation of the game, arguing that Seattle had touched the ball. The replay seemed to confirm this, but the decision was upheld.
Third quarter: 49ers 23, Seahawks 17
What looked like a fourth-quarter loss for the 49ers is now a ball game.
San Francisco has the ball at the 26-yard line on 4th and 3 after Brock Purdy throws a 7-yard pass to Jauan Jennings. They will start the fourth quarter with a punt.
Touchdown, Seahawks
The Seahawks are back in the game. Kenneth Walker caps off a 13-yard, 94-yard drive with a one-yard TD run. The extra point cut the 49ers' lead to 23-17.
The scoring power was highlighted by Geno Smith hitting Tyler Lockett for a 37-yard score.
Holding a penalty kills another 49ers drive
After scoring a first down and opening the next possession, the 49ers' drive stalled, mostly due to a holding penalty by Jake Brendal.
3rd & 18 Brock Purdy passed 15 yards to Deebo Samuel. But on fourth-and-3, San Francisco had to go from 50 on fourth-and-3
Touchdown, Seahawks
Seattle returns immediately and Laviska Shenault Jr. returns 97 yards for a touchdown.
Now it looks like a football game: 49ers 23, Seahawks 10
Touchdown, 49ers
The 49ers end their first possession of the second half with a touchdown and lead 23-3.
Brock Purdy hit George Kittle for a 10-yard TD pass, completing a nine-play, 70-yard drive.
UPDATE: Jordan Mason is out
Check it out with Jordan Mason. He was obviously trying to see if he could play with such an obvious collarbone injury.
Patrick Taylor Jr. he now manages the 49ers.
Jordan Mason moved his left arm as if in discomfort and is currently in the medical tent. #49ers
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