The San Francisco 49ers saw their once-dominant offense completely shut down by the Seattle Seahawks, resulting in a disappointing 13-3 defeat at Levi”s Stadium. This loss not only ended their hopes for the NFC West title but also raised questions about their playoff readiness.
In a game that was crucial for playoff positioning, the 49ers struggled offensively, managing only a 48-yard field goal from Eddy Piñeiro just before halftime. Tight end George Kittle expressed the frustration of the team, 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 finished the game with a mere three points, highlighting their struggles against a tough Seahawks defense.
The 49ers, who entered this game with a strong offensive performance since their bye week, were missing key players, including left tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan refrained from using injuries as an excuse, acknowledging the need to capitalize on opportunities against a formidable opponent.
Despite a couple of missed field goals by the Seahawks that could have opened the door for a comeback, the 49ers could not capitalize. A fumbled exchange between quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Zach Charbonnet and a critical drop by Christian McCaffrey further exemplified their struggles. McCaffrey, who has been a reliable target, let a swing pass slip through his hands, leading to an interception by Drake Thomas.
The Seahawks” defense was relentless, limiting McCaffrey to just 23 yards on eight carries and forcing the 49ers to a dismal 2-for-9 on third downs. Quarterback Brock Purdy completed 19 of 27 passes for only 127 yards and was sacked three times. “I wish I could have been more efficient,” said Purdy, reflecting on the team”s performance. “If you want to win games like these, you”ve got to be good on third down.”
Seattle”s defensive tackle Leonard Williams downplayed the achievement of holding the 49ers to three points, asserting confidence in his unit”s capabilities. “I don”t have any doubt in any part of this team. Our defense has been playing lights-out all season,” he remarked.
The Seahawks dominated the ground game, amassing 180 rushing yards on 39 attempts, including a 27-yard touchdown run by Charbonnet on their opening drive. In contrast, the 49ers couldn”t establish their running game and struggled to maintain possession, leading to a significant disadvantage in time of possession.
Following this loss, the 49ers will head into the wild-card round of the playoffs, facing an uncertain opponent. Kittle remained hopeful, stating, “The good news is I get to play football next week.” The team will need to regroup quickly to turn their fortunes around as they aim for a deeper playoff run.
