The ready is over. The Seattle Seahawks (5-5) have clawed their approach again into the playoff race after an exhilarating 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers (5-5). Six-game shedding streak to San Francisco? Over. Geno Smith’s winless report in opposition to the 49ers? Over. Seattle’s possibilities of successful the NFC West and getting again into the postseason? Alive, if solely barely.
If the Seahawks wasted a chance in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams previous to the bye week, they seized on their second when it mattered most in opposition to the reigning NFC champions. Perhaps that was probably the most apt method to finish the drought in opposition to the 49ers.
It’s Winners and Losers time, however a cheerful one!
Winners
Geno Smith
Greater than anybody else, Smith wanted this. Not only for the private second of lastly beating the 49ers, however be mindful what occurred within the first sport versus San Francisco with an opportunity to take the lead, the 4th quarter catastrophe in opposition to the Rams previous to the bye week, and his terrible interception to begin the 2nd half of this sport. Smith has led a whole lot of game-winning drives as Seahawks quarterback, however this felt probably the most impactful. He was 7/8 for 54 yards and used his legs when it mattered most, together with on the successful landing.
The stats should not gaudy for Geno (25/32 for 221 yards and an INT), and life bought simpler as soon as Nick Bosa left, however the 49ers nonetheless have a whole lot of high quality defensive gamers on there and arguably the very best linebacker within the league. Smith was unflappable when it mattered most, and this will likely go down as his signature second as Seahawks QB relying on how the remainder of the season goes.
We’ve been used to Russell Wilson pulling off this particular kind of comeback in opposition to the 49ers, and now Geno has his second to shine. If you wish to query his means to be an elite QB? Advantageous. Don’t ever query his coronary heart and willpower. That was freaking large.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
He’s arrived. There isn’t any doubt that he’s WR2 at a minimal if not in a 1a/1b state of affairs with DK Metcalf already. He’s virtually matched final yr’s rookie stats in 10 video games.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba in his rookie season: 63 catches for 628 yards, 4 touchdowns
Jaxon Smith-Njigba by means of 10 video games of his second season: 60 catches for 678 yards and three touchdowns
— Discipline Gulls (@FieldGulls) November 18, 2024
JSN had 10 catches for 110 yards and had 4 essential grabs on the ultimate possession. He was Geno’s go-to goal and he’s earned these reps based mostly on his final two video games. The 49ers have been prone to fit receivers all season, and it was evident on this sport.
I additionally love that he lastly bought a jet sweep handoff (for a primary down). Discover artistic methods to get him the ball!
DK Metcalf
Welcome again, DK. He had 7 catches for 70 yards and altered the sport with that essential third and 12 seize for 26 yards over the outstretched arms of Isaac Yiadom. Metcalf additionally had a pleasant block on JSN’s display screen move that arrange Ken Walker’s landing.
Ernest Jones IV
My private winner on protection. He should be prolonged. Jones was superb in opposition to the Rams and wonderful in opposition to San Francisco, showcasing his tackling expertise and stymieing the 49ers dashing assault over and over. He led the group with 13 tackles, which could be an empty stat, however about half of them have been for not more than two yards. Not like the Tyrel Dodson launch, which I’m not completely offered on, I used to be advantageous with shifting on from Jerome Baker for somebody with better upside. Jones is wanting like a rattling good center linebacker.
Tyrice Knight
The rookie was second on the group in tackles (10) and seemed basically sound in his first begin since Tyrel Dodson’s launch. We’ll give it extra time earlier than we see if the massive resolution to present the previous UTEP star a beginning function (after not taking part in a lot for a number of weeks) pays off.
Devon Witherspoon
I believe Witherspoon has had a very good yr outdoors of a few of his points with penalties and tackling. He was nice right now. His tipped ball led to Johnathan Hankins’ interception, and he broke up two different passes and was very good in tackling Deebo Samuel on the sport’s penultimate play. You can inform the 49ers had some razzle-dazzle lateral deliberate and Witherspoon snuffed it out.
That was one in all Witherspoon’s most impactful video games of his younger Seahawks profession, and it was harking back to the promise he confirmed as a rookie.
Johnathan Hankins
How can he not be a winner? We bought a thicc choose! And he jumped to make a arms catch whereas high-pointing the ball! That’s his first profession interception in 12 seasons within the NFL, and it led to factors.
Boye Mafe
No sacks for Mafe, however a pair of essential passes defensed to disclaim the 49ers even a subject purpose try previous to halftime.
Dre’Mont Jones
Don’t low cost the sack that Dre’Mont made earlier than halftime. That was simply one of many largest moments of this win. Jones has 4 sacks on the season and is on tempo to exceed his career-high, which is 6.5.
Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II
These two drew a number of holding penalties and have been pivotal in Seattle’s run protection stuffing Christian McCaffrey repeatedly. It received’t present up on the stat sheet however they have been extraordinarily impactful in plugging gaps and blowing up performs within the backfield.
Julian Love and Coby Bryant
Love had a TFL on Deebo Samuel that was so in contrast to the everyday end result when Deebo will get the ball on a handoff. He had a brutal sport in opposition to the 49ers within the first assembly, however he greater than made up for it within the rematch. In the meantime, Bryant ought to stay the beginning security alongside Love. Rayshawn Jenkins can come again off IR subsequent week, however I’d relatively see Bryant because the starter. He’s not the largest security on the planet however I believe the earlier teaching employees was onto one thing changing him from slot nook to security. Bryant has the flexibility to offer worth each methods, and his pursuit of ball-carriers (like on the final Jauan Jennings goal) has been stunning to observe.
Jason Myers
Can’t stress sufficient how massive making two 50+ yard subject objectives was within the context of this sport. Particular groups has had its ups and (principally) downs this yr, Myers included, however Jason was on the cash right now.
Mike Macdonald
That was his masterpiece on protection. This was solely the second time a Brock Purdy-led offense—I’m not counting his injury-shortened NFC Championship sport in opposition to the Eagles—has didn’t eclipse 300 yards in a sport. Christian McCaffrey was held beneath 80 yards dashing. Deebo Samuel solely had 21 whole yards. Brock Purdy was restricted to 146 internet yards on 28 move makes an attempt. Just one move play gained greater than 20 yards and solely two rushes gained greater than 10. All of Seattle’s biggest enemies have been vanquished (though Jauan Jennings has grow to be the latest boss). We had not seen any of Pete Carroll’s defenses come near this degree of play in opposition to Kyle Shanahan’s defenses through the shedding streak.
These final two division video games have been his litmus checks for stopping offenses the Seahawks have usually struggled in opposition to, and whereas the protection gave up the successful TD in time beyond regulation versus Los Angeles, they nonetheless performed effectively. Usually talking, the protection was excellent in opposition to the 49ers.
Losers
Zach Charbonnet
Woof. Charbonnet actually doesn’t have the facility to get by means of preliminary contact on a consistant foundation. The worrying half was the failed chip that resulted in Nick Bosa’s first sack of the sport on the opening drive.
After one other 4 carries for 3 yards, Charbonnet is averaging solely 3.5 yards per carry and has been outrushed by Geno Smith by way of whole yards (222 to 217) and explosive performs. That’s not a second-round choose worth to me.
AJ Barner
Barner has been a pleasing gem as a receiving tight finish, which wasn’t billed as his power, however his blocking nonetheless wants work. The failed 4th and 1 run with Charbonnet concerned Barner not blocking down on security Ji’Ayir Brown. Barner additionally had a drop proper earlier than Geno’s interception, and that may be partially attributed to not sitting down on his route when coming to the ball. He’s a rookie and he’ll dwell and be taught. I like his potential.
Ryan Grubb’s short-yardage playcalling
Have the Seahawks accomplished a play-action move on third or 4th and 1 even as soon as this yr? I don’t perceive why he doesn’t use it. I additionally don’t get why the Seahawks are so good with 21 personnel (two operating backs, one tight finish) in short-yardage after which he goes away from it on that failed Charbonnet run.
Grubb did decide to extra under-center seems to be and never in search of an infinite stream of shotgun dropback performs, however this facet of his situational calls needs to be cleaned up.
third down protection
No bueno aside from Coby Bryant on the ultimate drive. San Francisco was 7/11 on third down, together with a number of third and 10+ conversions to Jauan Jennings. The Seahawks have usually been a very good third down protection this season however the one factor you would ding them for was permitting the 49ers to have lengthy, clock-killing drives that shortened the sport for each groups.
Closing Notes
Anthony Bradford isn’t listed as giving up a sack however he successfully gave one up on the ultimate drive by permitting instantaneous strain and forcing Geno to step up into Leonard Floyd’s arms. He additionally had what amounted to a drive-killing false begin to shut the half. In any other case? Didn’t see an excessive amount of unhealthy from him alongside Abe Lucas.
Olu Oluwatimi seemed good to me outdoors of the excessive snap, which Geno might’ve caught however I believed it was a very good second profession begin for Oluwatimi. The 49ers not blitzing quite a bit made life somewhat simpler for the offensive line in move safety. I’ll look extra on the OL play when the All-22 is obtainable.
Welcome again, Abe Lucas. He was on a snap rely restriction, and I’ll admit I wasn’t paying whole consideration when he switched out of the sport for Michael Jerrell. The true take a look at is whether or not his knee can maintain up over the following few weeks and he can ramp up his conditioning to play 100% of the snaps.
Felt like Charles Cross bought bullied a bit all through the day by Yetur Gross-Matos and Leonard Floyd. Wasn’t his finest efficiency, however you recognize who was clutch? Laken Tomlinson for getting the required block to permit Geno to scramble for the go-ahead rush TD.
Kenneth Walker III simply has such little room to work with, which sucks as a result of he’s wonderful when he has area. Nonetheless bought into the top zone for his seventh dashing TD on the season. He additionally body-slammed Deommodore Lenoir.
Solely 4 penalties on the Seahawks, one in all which was an intentional delay of sport. A lot, a lot better self-discipline in all three phases. Bizarre how one can win video games by not taking part in a lot shedding soccer.
I assume the Seahawks may have new kick and punt returners subsequent week following the accidents to Laviska Shenault Jr and Dee Williams. It seems to be like Dee’s harm is likely to be a bit extra severe.
The job shouldn’t be accomplished but. The season comes down to those subsequent three weeks. If they will sweep the Arizona Cardinals and vanquish the hapless New York Jets, that’s seemingly going to place the Seahawks in pole place to win the NFC West.Arizona is taking part in rattling good soccer on either side proper now, and so they’re going to must be very disciplined when coping with the run risk that’s Kyler Murray. The fuzzy emotions might go away as early as subsequent week. However within the meantime? Rattling it feels unbelievable to have a good time a win over the 49ers once more. See you on Monday for Enemy Response.
