SAN FRANCISCO vs SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS WIN 13 – 3
- Story of the Game –
This game really started and ended with the Seahawks ability to win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Whether it crushing pockets and getting pressure on Purdy, creating wide open lanes for Walker III and Charbonnet to run through, or even giving Darnold perfect protection to play point guard from San Francisco was flat out bullied up front and had it not been for mistakes from Seattle in plus territory this game may have been a three to four score victory rather than a 10 point grit your teeth win for Seattle. Seattle’s offense moved the ball with ease in between the 20s for the large majority of this game while San Francisco’s offense searched for any consistency all game long. The 49ers truly only mustered one efficient and effective drive but even that was wiped out due to a bobbled catch in the red zone that led to an interception for Seattle. It was a soul crushing game from Seattle’s defense who won in just about very way imaginable at every single level as they continue to show that they’re arguably the best unit all of football. It was a phenomenal game for Seattle but they will need to clean up and look in the mirror when it comes to their red zone offense as it continues to be a unit that relies of explosives to score. Ultimately Seattle was able to not only clinch the division with this win but they locked up the number one seed in the NFC heading into the playoffs and look to be playing their best football at just the right time. The 49ers on the other hand are obviously frustrated with this loss but their ability to hang in with Seattle on a night where nothing was working and even mount a drive that would have changed the complexion of this game in the 4th Quarter should give you promise for what you can do headed into the playoffs. They’re still missing a multitude of pieces and their ceiling may be limited without those guys but this team time after time finds ways to win and very well could surprise people in a conference and really league as a whole that’s wide open right now.
- Key Notes for the Seahawks
While the Seahawks offense was only able to put 13 points on the board they moved the ball far better than that and overall looked like they should have won this game by three or four scores. They missed multiple field goals and missed a few opportunities to punch in touchdowns including one that I still don’t understand near the goal line where Darnold just passed on wide open route to the flat on PA power. Despite struggles in the red zone and on the field goal unit the Seahawks offense had a great day as they really impressed along the line of scrimmage. Seattle’s offensive line dominated up front in both run and pass which allowed Charbonnet and Walker III to break off explosives in the run game and despite the passing attack not having the usual down field shots that were used to seeing from this offense Darnold had beautiful pockets to operate from for the large majority of this game which played a huge part in him going 20/26 and not turning the ball over. Kenneth Walker III was incredible today as he continues to take a step this year and really cement himself as a special back in this league. He routinely made San Francisco defenders miss in space which consistently turned 3/4 yard gains into 8, 9, 10+ yard gains. Along with Walker III Zach Charbonnet had a great as well out of the backfield as well as he made the most out of every touch he had including a beautiful run on the backside for touchdown. This team does t always have the prettiest or flashiest performances week to week but the steady pulse and explosive ability of this run game is going to give every team they matchup with in the playoffs issues, let alone they get their downfield passing attack going.
- AJ Barner was phenomenal as a blocker this game as well which only made their dominance up front even more obvious.
This defense as a whole is unbelievable. From top to bottom their execution and effort is on another level compared to any other team or unit in the league. Their creativity when it comes to blitzes, stunts, and pressures as a whole combined with their discipline and effort at every single position is just jaw dropping. San Francisco has one of the best offensive minds to ever coach in the history of the NFL in Kyle Shanahan and aside from 1 drive in the 4th Quarter he had no answer or counter for anything this group threw at him. Whether it was the stunts and unique pressure looks on 3rd downs, the elite execution and discipline of their coverages on the second and third levels of this defense, or the sheer talent at nearly if not all positions leaves you without answers and that blatantly clear int this game. They won up front, were lockdown on the backend, and incredibly disciplined along the intermediate parts of the field and it left the 49ers offense lost and searching for answers the entire game. Truly an elite group and it feels like you’re watching teams drown when watching them face this group. I can’t speak highly enough of what HC Mike MacDonald has done with this group and the same goes with the players who continue to step up no matter how big of a name they are or how much is expected when they step in.
- Key Notes for the 49ers
A frustrating day for the 49ers offense really started with their inability to win along the line of scrimmage in both the run and pass. Brock Purdy was under constant and quick pressure all game long. This limited their passing attack to quick developing routes underneath which the Seattle defense took advantage of by flying to the ball every single snap and not allowing RAC opportunities for a 49ers offense that desperately needed them. Along with the passing attack struggling to get anything more than a handful of yards play to play the rushing attack was abysmal as well. Seattle’s ability to rally and tackle was even more apparent in the run game and when you combine that with the 49ers lack of push up front that left their rushing attack with a longest gain of 6 yards on a total of 10 carries. All of this led to the 49ers only putting together one successful drive that didn’t come until the 4th Quarter and ultimately ended in an interception of a tipped and bobbled pass near the end zone.
For all of the struggles on offense Purdy was excellent today. He consistently found ways to escape pressure and/or collapsing pockets all game long and had that pass in the 4th Quarter not been intercepted off of a bobbled catch he would have given them a chance to win this game despite the surrounding pieces and Seattle defense giving him nothing to work with.
The 49ers issues along the line of scrimmage may have been even worse on defense. In between the 20s Seattle passing and rushing attacks could do no wrong as they moved the 49ers defensive line around with ease. This opened up explosives in the running game and allowed Seattle to average over 5 yards a carry on a total of 33 carries between Walker III and Charbonnet along with both backs to have rushes of 20 yards or more. While it wasn’t a great day for the 49ers defense they were still able to hold Seattle to 13 points because of two things. They limited passes down the field despite their pass rush having little to no success and they were able to come up with multiple stops in the red zone. A big part of their success in the red zone was due to the fact they could be more aggressive on the backend without risk of getting beat deep by the Seattle passing attack. Malik Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown, and Deommodore Lenoir were great when coming up in tackling which not only helped with their success in the red zone but also in between the 20s when they brought blitzes to counter the Seattle rushing attack. It wasn’t a permanent fix as they could hold up man to man to deep consistently but the run blitzes did get them off the field in big spots when they needed to get a negative or at the very least a limited gain on 1st or 2nd down.
- Standout Performers
SEA
Zach Charbonnet – 17/74 1 TD – 3/23 rec
Kenneth Walker III – 16/97 – 4/36 rec
Seattle OL – Only gave up 2 sacks while creating phenomenal pockets for the majority of this game and opened up wide open rushing lanes for Walker III and Charbonnet, especially when SF wasn’t run blitzing
Nick Emmanwori – 7 Tackles (4 Solo) 1 TFL
Drake Thomas – 5 Tackles (2 Solo) 1 INT 2 PDs
Uchenna Nwosu – 1 Tackle 1 Sack
- Nwosu was phenomenal off the edge by creating quick pressure in 1 on 1 pass rush reps and flying to the ball + setting an edge in the run game – Entire SEA front deserves a mention as they DOMINATED this game and really led the charge for this defense performing as well as they did
SF
Brock Purdy – 19/27 127yds 0/1 – 2/21 rush
- Not a great performance from a number perspective but really made something out of nothing for San Francisco’s offense the majority of the snaps
Deommodore Lenoir – 3 Tackles 1 TFL
- Was traveling with JSN all game and while he didn’t shut him down he limited him from taking over + He fit the run well on the edge
Malik Mustapha – 5 Tackles (3 Solo)
- Mustapha flew downhill on run blitzes which allowed the 49ers defense to create 2nd and 3rd & long situations
Tatum Bethune – 7 Tackles (2 Solo) 1 Sack 1 TFL 1 PD
