49ers Silence Seahawks: Purdy’s Precision Propels San Francisco to NFC West Summit
In a thrilling Thursday night showdown, the San Francisco 49ers clawed their way back to the top of the NFC West, outgunning the Seattle Seahawks 36-24 at Lumen Field. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the 49ers and reignited their playoff aspirations.
Quarterback Brock Purdy silenced doubters with a masterful performance, threading the needle for three touchdowns despite constant pressure from Seattle’s defense. Purdy’s poise under fire was evident as he completed 18 of 28 passes for 255 yards without a single interception.
“We knew this game was crucial,” Purdy said after the win. “The whole team stepped up when it mattered most.”
The 49ers’ offense clicked early, building a two-score lead in the first half. Tight end George Kittle proved to be Purdy’s favorite target, hauling in two touchdown passes and keeping Seattle’s secondary on their toes all night.
However, the path to victory wasn’t without its hurdles. San Francisco’s special teams unit continued to struggle, allowing a 97-yard kickoff return touchdown that breathed new life into the Seahawks in the third quarter. This latest miscue adds to a growing list of special teams blunders that have plagued the 49ers this season.
Injuries also threatened to derail San Francisco’s comeback bid. The team lost running back Jordan Mason and safety Malik Mustapha to injuries early in the game. But the 49ers’ depth shone through as rookie Isaac Guerendo stepped up, gashing Seattle’s defense for 99 yards on just ten carries, including a backbreaking 76-yard burst late in the fourth quarter.
On the defensive side, another rookie made his mark. Cornerback Renardo Green thrust into action due to Charvarius Ward’s absence, snagged a crucial fourth-quarter interception off Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. The turnover set a field goal that put the game out of reach.
“Our young guys showed tremendous heart tonight,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “They weren’t fazed by the big stage or the moment’s pressure.”
The win wasn’t without controversy. A challenged punt return in the first half appeared to show the ball grazing the fingers of Seattle’s Dee Eskridge, but officials upheld the original call of no touch. The NFL later admitted that enhanced replay angles weren’t available to the on-field crew in time to overturn the ruling.
For Seattle, the loss marks their third straight defeat after a promising 3-0 start to the season. Quarterback Geno Smith struggled to find his rhythm, completing just 57.7% of his passes and throwing two costly interceptions.
“We’ve got to start faster and take better care of the football,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said. “You can’t give a team like San Francisco extra possessions and expect to win.”
The victory propels the 49ers back into a tie atop the NFC West with a 3-3 record, holding the head-to-head tiebreaker over Seattle. While it’s still early in the season, this win could prove pivotal in San Francisco’s quest to return to the playoffs and make another Super Bowl run.
Looking ahead, the 49ers face a stern test in Week 7 as they host the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. For Purdy and company, Thursday night’s resilient performance could be just the spark they needed to reignite their championship aspirations.
As the fog rolled in off San Francisco Bay, one thing became clear: the 49ers aren’t ready to relinquish their grip on the NFC West crown yet. With Purdy at the helm and a mix of veteran savvy and youthful exuberance, this team might be hitting its stride at the perfect moment.