49ers survive Seahawks, avoid 20-point collapse in Seattle

It may have taken the entire game clock, but the 49ers are leaving Seattle with a win on its’ record, and a hold of the NFC West in their back pockets.

The San Francisco 49ers survived another looming collapse in Week 6, beating the Seahawks, 36-24, on the road. Despite getting out to a 20-point lead part way through the third quarter, the 49ers endured more tests, having to gut-check their season in real time. Allowing a score by Seattle with less than two minutes to go made it even tougher. But the 49ers called upon rookie running back Isaac Guerendo, sealing the win with a 76-yard run into victory.

While it may not have been pretty, they finally exorcised some demons, holding on to partially retake hold of the NFC West.

The 49ers’ first half was much better than the second, scoring on four of its’ five drives. San Francisco’s defense got the momentum going first however, picking off Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith on the first drive of the game. Rookie safety Malik Mustapha recorded his first interception of his NFL career Thursday night, catching a sailing ball and stepping out of bounds at the there-yard-line.

SF’s offense and QB Brock Purdy marched down the field on their first possession, going for 13 plays and 90 yards. Unfortunately, their redzone issues continued, stalling out and forced to take the three points with a field goal via kicker Matthew Wright.

The 49ers controlled the first half after that, as its’ defense wrecked havoc on Smith and the Seahawks offense. Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen’s unit held the home side two turnovers and three punts in the first 30 minutes of the game.

SF’s biggest moment on offense encapsulated the entire drive, going 76 yards on one play.

At the beginning of the second quarter, 49ers’ coach Kyle Shanahan called up a great play-action pass for Purdy. The veteran gunslinger used a fake handoff to freeze the defense, eventually finding wide receiver Deebo Samuel in space along the left sideline. Purdy lofted the ball to Samuel, making one man miss as he raced to the endzone for the 76-yard touchdown.

Deebo Samuel for the 76-yard score: pic.twitter.com/TiouKRngPZ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2024

That play put the 49ers up by two scores, 10-0, at the start of the second quarter. San Francisco would go on to have more success on offense, but had to settle for two additional field goals to close the half at 16-3.

The 49ers got the ball to start the second half, immediately getting back into rhythm.

Purdy & the 49ers marched on the Seahawks once more, going on a nice-play drive to the house. A 29-yard catch and run by tight end George Kittle sprung that open. Eventually, he was rewarded for his efforts, catching a 10-yard strike from Purdy along the right edge of the endzone to put the 49ers up 23-3 at the start of the third quarter.

George Kittle in the red zone this season:

🔥 10 catches (Most in NFL)
🔥 65 yards (Most in NFL)
🔥 5 TDs (Most in NFL) pic.twitter.com/GiX62MSM2C

— PFF (@PFF) October 11, 2024

And then, the inevitable momentum swing.

Immediately after the Kittle score, the 49ers’ special-teams allowed a 97-yard kick return TD. WR Laviska Shenault sliced pasted SF, shocking the Lumien Field crowd with a bolt of energy.

And the game was never the same.

Smith & Seattle woke up, going on a 13-play drive to paydirt. After struggling to pick up yards in the first half, they had 94 on one drive, ending it with one-yard run by running back Kenneth Walker III.

A once 20-point lead turned into 23-17 in a blink of a eye for the 49ers at the end of the third quarter.

But when they needed a play to be made, the 49ers’ defense stepped up.

After the offense punted on three consecutive drives, the Seahawks had the 49ers right where they wanted them in the fourth quarter. The young bucks of SF had other plans.

Smith & Co. picked up two first downs before the clock struck midnight on the comeback. The veteran QB had a miscommunication with his wideout, allowing 49ers’ rookie cornerback Renardo Green to undercut the pass for his first INT of his NFL career at the 7:56 mark of the fourth quarter. The Florida State alum returned it for 20 yards to put the 49ers’ inside the redzone.

Renardo Green jumps the route for the PICK.#SFvsSEA on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/nnOk1vN8Q8

— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2024

Three plays later, Purdy found Kittle again, this time on the choice route. Timing it well with his TE, the QB made the nine-yard rifle, putting the Red & Gold back up by two scores, 29-17, with 6:20 left to play. The two-point attempt was no good.

Seattle wasn’t rolling over however, going on a 15-play drive to exhaust the 49ers. Facing a fourth-and-goal, Smith somehow found his man, as WR Tyler Lockett hauled in a nine-yard strike to make it a one-score game again, 29-24.

Now under two minutes, all the 49ers had to do was get a first down, and run out the clock. And that they did.

Shanahan called a zone run to the right for rookie RB Isaac Guerendo. The 49ers speedster found a crease, darting past the Seahawks as he raced down the far sideline. He was tripped up at Seattle’s five-yard-line, but the damage was done. A 76-yard run for the third-round rookie to seal the win.

ISAAC GUERENDO. 76-YARD RUN TO START THE DRIVE.#SFvsSEA on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Pt3BWP6JEF

— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2024

A six-yard score for fullback Kyle Juszczyk was the cherry on top, making the final, 36-24.

In a game the 49ers had to have to get its’ season back on track, they dug deep, finding a way to get the victory on the road. The Red & Gold extend their win streak to six games over its’ NFC West rival, dating back to 2022. San Francisco improves to 3-3 on the year, and is now tied with Seattle for first in the NFC West.

The 49ers will have 10 days to rest and recover before a Super Bowl LVIII rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs Week 7.

San Francisco 49ers 2024 Schedule:

Regular Season

• Sunday, October 20th vs. Kansas City Chiefs [SB LVIII Rematch]– 1:25 pm PDT
• Sunday, October 27th vs. Dallas Cowboys [SNF] – 5:20 pm PDT
• Week 9 Bye Week
• Sunday, November 10th @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 10 am PDT

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