The San Francisco 49ers faced a disappointing defeat against the Seattle Seahawks, losing 13-3 at Levi”s Stadium, which ultimately secured the NFC West title and the top playoff seed for Seattle. The 49ers” offense, which had been thriving under head coach Kyle Shanahan since their bye week, was stifled, managing only a single field goal from Eddy Piñeiro.
This game showcased a drastically different 49ers offense, which struggled throughout, culminating in a final play where quarterback Brock Purdy was sacked. The Seahawks” defense dominated, leaving the 49ers bewildered and unable to find any rhythm on offense. Tight end George Kittle reflected on the team”s performance, stating, “It”s kind of hard to expect to really win the game if we”re not going to score more than a field goal.”
The 49ers, with a record of 12-5, will now head into the playoffs as a wild-card team, facing an unspecified opponent on the road. They will need to bounce back quickly, especially since their chances of playing again at home hinge on reaching Super Bowl LX on February 8.
Missing key players such as left tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. due to injuries certainly impacted the 49ers, but they had navigated similar challenges throughout the season. The Seahawks took advantage of missed opportunities for the 49ers, including two failed field goals that could have shifted momentum.
Despite having moments to capitalize, the 49ers couldn”t convert on critical plays. A fumbled exchange between Purdy and running back Zach Charbonnet went unrecovered, and a swing pass intended for Christian McCaffrey slipped through his hands, intercepted by Drake Thomas.
The Seattle defense was formidable, limiting McCaffrey to just 23 yards on eight carries as the team collectively rushed for only 53 yards. Coach Shanahan acknowledged the Seahawks” strong defense, noting, “We had a couple of opportunities I thought we missed. And you can”t miss those versus a team like that.”
Purdy ended the game with 127 passing yards, completing 19 of 27 attempts but was sacked three times. The Seahawks” defense forced the 49ers into less favorable situations on third downs, converting only two out of nine attempts.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams expressed confidence in his team”s abilities, stating, “I don”t have any doubt in any part of this team. Our defense has been playing lights-out all season.”
Right tackle Colton McKivitz admitted that the Seahawks were the stronger team on this day, saying, “They were better than us today. I think they”re a little more physical. We didn”t play to our standard and our defense gave us a chance to win that game; we just didn”t come up with enough points.”
Seattle effectively controlled the game, achieving 180 rushing yards on 39 attempts, including a 27-yard touchdown run from Charbonnet on their opening drive. Quarterback Sam Darnold completed 20 of 26 passes for 198 yards, and the Seahawks dominated time of possession, holding the ball for nearly 38 minutes.
As the 49ers prepare for their upcoming playoff matchup, they must address their shortcomings and regain their offensive identity. Kittle remained optimistic despite the setback, acknowledging the disappointment but looking forward to the chance to compete next week.
