Seahawks 28 49ers 21: It’s not how you start…

It took awhile for the Seattle Seahawks (2-2) to get going, but they weathered the early storm and once again got a road win at Levi’s Stadium over the San Francisco 49ers (2-2).

The 28-21 win seemed unlikely at first when the 49ers had an opening drive touchdown and the Seahawks didn’t get a first down for the first 25 minutes of game time, but Russell Wilson threw for two touchdowns, ran for another, and Alex Collins had a pivotal 4th quarter score that really put the 49ers up against it. San Francisco turned the ball over twice (and another time on downs), and they have an interesting quarterback situation right now with Jimmy Garoppolo leaving the game with a calf injury. Trey Lance played the entire 2nd half and led two TD drives but also had his fair share of rookie moments.

1st Half

The Seahawks got the ball first and immediately went three-and-out. Enter the 49ers offense and Jimmy Garoppolo goes 6-6 for 70 yards and a touchdown to Ross Dwelley, who had positioning on Sidney Jones and beat the new starting corner for the score. 7-0 49ers.

Another three-and-out led to the 49ers getting the ball back, but this time Garoppolo was intercepted by Quandre Diggs on a brilliant route jump. He was looking for Kittle but found Diggs instead and he pulled down Seattle’s first INT of the season.

This amounted to nothing despite the great field position, as Wilson was sacked out of field goal range and they punted again. The 49ers drove into field goal range but evidently Robbie Gould was injured pre-game, so punter Mitch Wishnowsky (who made the PAT) took over field goal duties and missed from 41. Credit Jordyn Brooks with his first NFL sack to put San Francisco in 3rd and long.

It became a puntfest for much of the 2nd quarter as the Seahawks defense finally tightened up and the offense literally wouldn’t get a first down until under 5 minutes left until halftime. Alex Collins leaked out of the backfield for a 29-yard gain. On 3rd and 1, Wilson found DK Metcalf for a big gain to San Francisco’s 15. Out of the two-minute warning he juked out linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and scored out of the slot as he just stretched the ball over the goal line. 7-7.

2nd Half

Jimmy Garoppolo did not play in the 2nd half with a calf injury. Rookie Trey Lance stepped in and his first two possessions were short and ended in punts. The Seahawks’ second 2nd half possession saw them take the lead, as Chris Carson got a couple of nice runs, Tyler Lockett had a play-action reception, and Wilson used his legs to run for 16 yards and a TD. 14-7 Seahawks.

In the blink of an eye, Trenton Cannon dropped the kickoff then picked it back up, only to fumble it again when he dove forward. Seahawks recovery by Jon Rhattigan to the 49ers’ 14! What a turnaround! Then two plays later this ridiculous sack escape and touchdown throw from Russell to Freddie Swain happened. 21-7 Seahawks.

This is Seahawks football so nothing comes easy. The absolute worst busted coverage saw Deebo Samuel score on a 76-yard wheel route. San Francisco bizarrely went for the PAT after a false start, and Wishnowsky missed. 21-13 Seahawks.

Seattle had two big third down penalties in its favor. The first one was a Dee Ford offsides that turned a 3rd and 6 incomplete pass to a 3rd and 1 conversion for Chris Carson. The next one was a defensive pass interference by Dre Kirkpatrick on a 3rd down throw to Lockett got the Seahawks into the red zone. Their 10-play, 81-yard drive was capped off with an Alex Collins dazzling touchdown run for 14 yards. 28-13 Seahawks with 12:06 left.

Lance struggled to get into any rhythm and looked uncomfortable throwing the ball. The Seahawks offense was largely in clock-killing mode but the defense really stepped up with a 4th down stop of Deebo Samuel on a little toss towards the sideline. Kerry Hyder Jr and Jordyn Brooks helped set the edge and forced a turnover on downs.

The 49ers got the ball back with 4:30 and just one timeout remaining and really needed to get both the touchdown and score quickly. They didn’t score quickly but they did score with 1:20 left. Samuel got his second TD of the game and credit to Lance for converting several 4th downs. Lance ran in the 2PC to cut it to 28-21 Seahawks. Onside kick was recovered by Freddie Swain making that the final act of a huge road win.

Seahawks injury report

LB Cody Barton suffered a rib injury in the 2nd quarter. He did not return.

DE Darrell Taylor suffered from cramps in the 4th quarter. He returned later on in the game.

DE Carlos Dunlap came off the field late in the 4th quarter. He returned later on in the game but left again with an undisclosed injury.

Next week’s opponent

The Seahawks have a short week but it’s a primetime showdown versus the Los Angeles Rams (3-1) on Thursday, October 7th at 5:20 PM PT on FOX/NFL Network/Amazon Prime.