Winners and losers as 49ers avoid collapse against Seahawks in 36-24 win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
THE San Francisco 49ers have blown two double-digit leads in the last three weeks in losses. There was a period in the second half where it could have happened again.
San Francisco controlled the game with a 16-3 halftime lead before making it 23-3 in the third. However, miscues and special teams momentum allowed Seattle to come back to make it 23-17 in the second half.
Ultimately, Brock Purdy and Co. showed resilience as the 49ers earned a crucial 36-24 road victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.
Let’s analyze the game with winners and losers in more detail:
WINNER: Brock Purdy, 49ers
Sometimes a game can simply come down to how the quarterbacks perform in the big moments. This factor favored Purdy, who posted solid numbers while his opponent Geno Smith showed his turnover flaws.
Purdy completed 18 of 28 passes for 255 yards, three touchdowns, no picks or sacks, once again demonstrating his improved ability to extend plays with his legs. It was the opposite for Smith, who was ineffective and turned the ball over twice.
Purdy also had to do it with more injuries, as Jordan Mason left early after a strong start while Deebo Samuel and George Kittle also battled injuries. His key play was a 76-yard touchdown to Samuel early in the second quarter.
LOSER: Geno Smith, Seahawks
As mentioned above, while Purdy played a clean game and proved once again how he can help keep the 49ers afloat, Smith revealed how he’s holding Seattle back.
Smith completed 30 of 52 passes for just 312 yards, one touchdown and two picks, both of which came at inopportune moments. His first came on Seattle’s first drive when he was walking near the red zone, but rookie safety Malik Mustapha recovered it at the one-yard line.
The second came midway through the fourth when Seattle generated momentum and looked ideal for a comeback. But rookie cornerback Renardo Green, seeing an increase in minutes after Charvarius Ward was ruled inactive, jumped the lane to calm things down.
Seattle got off to a 3-0 start, although they came up against relatively weaker opposition. Since then, it has lost to two NFC contenders (Detroit Lions, 49ers) while also being surprised at home by the New York Giants in the midst of a three-game skid.
Smith simply needs to be better with the money he makes, but there’s no sign that a major change is in the works.
WINNER: Resilience
San Francisco would have been 5-1 at this point if they hadn’t taken a double-digit lead late in the game. Los Angeles Rams and at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
And after the Seahawks began to claw their way back into the game, San Francisco could have feared the worst and allowed another collapse to occur. But Green’s aforementioned pick helped turn the tide, with Purdy’s three touchdowns ultimately being important.
San Francisco still has a long way to go to prove they are true contenders after a shaky start, especially with the Kansas City Chiefs next visit in Week 7 for a Super Bowl rematch. But the 49ers are flashing indications that they can turn up the heat like they have before, which could bode well if the injuries slow down.
LOSER: Missed call easily?
Perhaps the game could have been ended sooner by San Francisco if a turnover challenge had been converted.
On a punt return, Seattle corner Dee Williams appeared to have touched the ball with one finger. It was recovered by the 49ers, but the referees ultimately ruled Seattle’s ball no muffed punt.
“We’ve seen two different angles where it’s pretty clear that the receiving team player’s finger is hit, and then there’s a clear recovery…I think that should have been reversed for San Francisco football .”
Terry McAuley disagreed with continuing this call. pic.twitter.com/j56E25TAZN
– Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 11, 2024
Camera angles appear to show Williams’ finger – particularly the thumb – moving when the ball is near his hands. Terry McAuley on the Amazon Prime show said the NFL’s replay command center doesn’t have the same angles as those shown on screen.
Even though the 49ers will ultimately be happy with the result, things could have been completely different if they lost.
WINNER: Save Kickers
Following Jake Moody’s sprained ankle last time out, the 49ers had to bring in backup kickers to practice for the team a few days before traveling to Seattle.
They chose 28-year-old Matthew Wright, who was 40 for 47 on penalties before this game. While Moody, a second-year third-round pick, had mixed results for where he was drafted, Wright showed confidence with a perfect night in a tough environment.
Wright connected on all three baskets – with a long of 41 – and on all three extra points. However, like Moody, Wright appeared to suffer an injury late in the game while defending a kickoff attempt. He’ll have at least a longer week off before the Chiefs enter the Bay Area if it’s not a long-term injury.
