Despite a shaky 2-3 start to the season, there should be little trepidation regarding the San Francisco 49ers. They remain one of the premier teams in the NFL. While the road hasn’t been entirely smooth—largely due to injuries—the 49ers have not lost their competitive edge.
In a compelling showdown against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night, San Francisco showcased dominance in the first half. Although they allowed the Seahawks a brief resurgence in the second half, the 49ers ultimately secured a 36-24 victory over their NFC West adversaries.
George Kittle was a standout performer, finding the end zone twice, while Deebo Samuel Sr. contributed with a lengthy touchdown reception to propel the team to victory.
Ideally, San Francisco would have maintained control throughout the game, finishing the season undefeated and capturing the headlines across the league. While the initial phase has not been perfect, the 49ers still project strength.
49ers Establish Early Control
The Seahawks’ decision to part ways with Pete Carroll was somewhat unexpected, but their inability to compete with the 49ers in recent seasons weighed heavily on that conclusion. Although numerous factors contributed to the decision, the Seahawks’ struggles against their division rivals were particularly notable, having lost five matchups, including playoff encounters, over the past two years, all without a competitive edge.
New head coach Mike Macdonald found himself grappling with familiar challenges on Thursday night.
Seattle commenced the game with promise, advancing deep into 49ers territory. However, a crucial misfire by quarterback Geno Smith—resulting in an interception by safety Malik Mustapha—signaled the first inkling of trouble for the Seahawks.
Backed up at their own 3-yard line following the turnover, the 49ers executed a remarkable 90-yard drive, ultimately settling for a field goal. While San Francisco’s execution in the red zone left something to be desired, the familiar sight of them overpowering the Seahawks persisted.
The 49ers maintained their lead into the start of the second half, with Kittle’s first touchdown extending the advantage to 23-3. Yet, having already squandered two fourth-quarter leads this season, this squad was poised to add a dash of drama to the proceedings.
Seahawks Stage a Comeback
While the 49ers’ offense was fluid for much of the game, their struggles in the red zone became a recurring theme. Meanwhile, their defense displayed tenacity, dominating the field. Ultimately, it was San Francisco’s special teams that allowed Seattle a foothold in the game.
After the 49ers had seemingly established an unassailable 23-3 lead, Laviska Shenault Jr. electrified the crowd with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, marking the second kickoff return for a touchdown in the NFL this season. Following that, Kenneth Walker III’s touchdown narrowed the deficit to 23-17. The loss of running back Jordan Mason to a shoulder injury early in the game, compounded by the absence of Christian McCaffrey throughout the season, left the 49ers’ offense vulnerable.
A pivotal moment came when Smith’s underthrown pass to DK Metcalf was intercepted by Renardo Green, gifting the 49ers a chance to secure the win.
Kittle found the end zone once more, extending the lead to 29-17. The Seahawks clawed back, scoring another touchdown to cut the deficit to 29-24 with less than two minutes remaining. With three timeouts still in their pocket, they kicked off, but Isaac Guerendo, stepping in for Mason, unleashed a spectacular 76-yard run. Kyle Juszczyk capped off the drive with a touchdown, sealing the victory with just 1:17 left on the clock.
While concerns linger about the 49ers—particularly with three early losses potentially jeopardizing their aspirations for the top seed in the NFC—Thursday night’s performance reinforced their dominance over the Seahawks and the NFC West, revealing areas still ripe for improvement.