Currently, Brock Purdy and the 49ers are 3-0 on Thursday Night Football. Last night’s game is pivotal. The Niners either drop to 2-4 having lost to all three of their division rivals or they bring their record to .500 and tie for first in their division. The team understood their assignment and executed.
Lumen Field is the most difficult stadium to play at in the NFL. As the visiting team, the only way to calm the crowd is to score fast and often.
Seattle started with the ball. That is ideal for them because if they score on their first drive, they will turn the crowd up on the Niners defense. Seattle’s initial drive looked promising, especially after DK Metcalf caught a ball in De’Vondre Campbell Sr.’s zone and turned it up field for a 30-yard gain. However, Malik Mustafa ended the Seahawks drive, picking off Geno Smith as Smith overthrew his intended receiver.
The 49ers went on to close the half out 16 – 3. They opened the second half on offense. The Niners executed a 9 play 70-yard drive capping it off with a George Kittle touchdown reception. The game was 23-3 and the Niners were in control.
The 49ers have had a special teams fail every game this year. This week was no different. Right after the 49ers opened the second half with a punishing touchdown drive, they gave up a 97-yard kickoff return by Laviska Shenault Jr.
The invigorated Seahawks managed to force a punt. However, a key penalty on Niners Center, Jake Brendel, stalled the Niners drive, negating a first down pass play to Brandon Aiyuk and pushing them back to 2nd and 18. Seattle stoned the Niners on the next two plays.
Niner fans began to have pits in their stomachs as they watched Seattle drive 94 yards for a touchdown during the next possession. The score is now 23-17. The Niners blew double digit leads against the Rams and the Cardinals. Are they going to do it again?
The Niners and the Cardinals traded punts on the next three possessions. Then, with seven minutes left in the game, Seattle has the ball on their own three-yard line. They drive out to their 25-yard line but catch a holding penalty.
On the next play, Geno Smith attempts to connect with DK Metcalf on a deep crossing route. Rookie cornerback Renardo Green was running stride for stride with Metcalf. As the ball came towards Metcalf, Green took a chance and stepped in front of the receiver, picked of Geno and ran it back to Seattle’s twelve-yard line. George Kittle caught a 9 yard touchdown pass three plays later.
With less than six minutes left in the game, the Niners gave up a score, but made Seattle bleed four minutes and thirty-five seconds off the clock. Even then, the Niners gave up a touchdown pass on fourth and goal.
San Francisco had a five-point lead with about 1:40 left on the clock. They opted to lean on their running game. Two plays into the drive, Isaac Guerendo ripped off a 76-run setting up a Kyle Juszczyk score. There is some debate as to why Guerendo didn’t score. Did he let Witherspoon catch him or did he slide on purpose? Either way, it’s clear the 49ers have found another lightening fast back.
The keys to last night’s victory was balance and resilience. Every game has a certain amount of adversity. In the second half the Niners gave up two back-to-back scores, yet they hung tough when it mattered. As the Niners weathered the storm, Coach Shanahan called a balanced attack, calling 33 run plays to 28 pass plays. Six different Niners ran the ball and seven Niners made a reception
The 49ers rookies made a huge difference in last night’s game. Mustapha ended the Seahawk’s opening drive, picking off a bewildered Smith on the Niners one yard line. Renardo Green was assigned to cover Metcalf most of the night and he made the most of his opportunity picking him off in the fourth quarter. Then Isaac Guerendo came in and spelled Jordan Mason who suffered a shoulder injury towards the end of the first half. Guerendo ended the game with ten carries, 99 yards and an almost touchdown.
Despite giving up a 97-yard touchdown return, the special teams were improved. The punt team consistently put the Seahawks offense in poor field position.
The Niners defense played well in the first half. Then Mustapha went down with an ankle injury at the end of the first half. San Francisco’s coverage suffered. Seattle had back-to-back scoring drives to end the half and start the next half.
The 49ers gave up ten points before they finally adjusted. The coverage packages missed Malik Mustapha. He has a promising future with the 49ers. He covers well and he is a hitter.
San Francisco’s defense plays the run well. However, their pass defense has suffered. Currently they are missing, Javon Hargrave, Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw.
Mustapha showed that he is a more than capable back up, but when he went down the Niners coverage began to suffer again. Campbell is an average linebacker at best. Unfortunately, he has shown himself a liability in coverage. Dee Winters is the faster linebacker, but he is apparently still learning the defense as he was not always out on the field during obvious passing downs. Until Greenlaw returns, I think we can expect to see more of Winters on the field moving forward.
Nick Bosa had himself a game. Statistically his numbers were pedestrian. However, if you study how he plays the run, and sniffs out screens, you begin to appreciate that he is much more than just a pass rusher.
Brock Purdy had a good night. Despite being flushed out of the pocket numerous times, he remained consistent in his play. His first touchdown pass was a thing of beauty. Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk lined up next to each other. Aiyuk ran a clear out route, while Deebo faded up the sideline. Purdy was flushed to his right and he calmly launched a long ball to Deebo who caught it and turned it up field for a 76-yard touchdown.
There were times that it looked like Purdy left the pocket early. However, he has an innate ability to feel the rush and evade it just because it collapses on him. If he can’t find someone down field, then he turns it up field and looks for a positive gain. The best thing about Purdy is his eyes are always down field. If his receivers are covered, then he scrambles in hopes to make a play. It usually works.
Last night’s win is important. There are 11 games left in the season. The Niners needed this win to go into this ten-day rest and preparation period to heal up and get ready for the Chiefs.
