This is a guest article by Curtis Allen. After the game tune into the instant reaction live stream which will be available on here and on our YouTube channel.
The Seahawks are in the playoffs. What a cherry on top of a season of surprises.
Do they have a shot against this San Francisco team that is currently on a ten-game winning streak and looking very, very tough? They do.
The Seahawks have won seven of their last 10 games in San Francisco, including three of their last four. Granted, they got swept by the Niners this season and the talent and coaching gap between the teams seems more like a chasm than a small crack. Never discount division games though. These two foes know each other better than anyone and in that realm, the Seahawks have a fighting chance to shock the NFL world.
How can they beat the odds? They will need their best game of the season to do it.
No key fumbles or terrible decisions. No crazy defensive breakdowns. No bizarre challenges or wasted timeouts.
A pure commitment to Seahawks football.
Pete Carroll needs to coach a game that the organization and fanbase can be proud of. Those positive press statements he routinely makes after poor game performances that we scoff at? Those are like deposits into a bank account. It is time to cash them in and reach this team to put together a game that rewards his relentless faith. There is no tomorrow.
What areas do they need to focus on and play effectively in order to have a chance to win?
Win the Turnover Battle
San Francisco has won thirteen games this year. One of the biggest keys to their success? Winning the turnover battle.
The Niners are the NFL’s best team at it — entering the playoffs with a +13 rating. In their current ten-game winning streak they are an amazing +16, generating 21 takeaways and only giving the ball back five times.
They have only lost four games this year. They have only lost the turnover battle in four games this year.
Yup. Turnovers are the stone that David could use to take out Goliath.
There is your banner headline. For the Seahawks to have a fighting chance Saturday, there is no clearer path to victory than to protect the ball on offense and force turnovers on defense.
The Niners know this better than anyone. Jaquiski Tartt makes a catch on the easiest moon-ball he will ever see in the NFC Championship Game and very likely the Niners make the Super Bowl last year.
This year though, it was the Seahawks’ turn. We all got a front row seat to it in Week Fifteen. Second quarter, Niners are up 7-3 at their own 36-yard line with the ball with two minutes to play. Brock Purdy does not see Quandre Diggs and delivers a ball right between his numbers. Diggs cannot complete the interception and a golden opportunity is missed.
51 seconds later, Travis Homer fumbles, San Francisco scores a gift touchdown and they enter halftime leading 14-3. They take the third quarter kickoff and double-dip for another touchdown and that is the ballgame.
We have talked about turnovers in the past. The best way to win the day is to not turn the ball over. Planning for your opponent to turn the ball over (especially when we are talking about the best in the NFL) is not a high-proposition strategy.
The Seahawks have eleven fumbles on the year. Only six teams in the NFL had more this season. In a win or go home tournament, the Seahawks cannot afford to be careless with the ball.
Interceptions though. Here is the most critical part of the game. San Francisco leads the NFL with 20 interceptions this year. The Seahawks have only thrown 12, which is very good. Only nine teams have less than the Seahawks.
But we all know Geno Smith’s challenges in the second half of the season. Bad decisions and ill-chosen throws forced by a lack of adequate pass protection and a porous defense that cannot get him the ball back. He could have 15 interceptions but defenders have helped him out by dropping the ball (or in the case of Week 15, a pick-6 got called back by a pretty weak roughing the passer call on Nick Bosa).
What can help Smith play better in this game? First, he will need all of his cool and calm. We have seen him throw some very ugly balls this year, then shake them off and lead a fantastic drive with laser precision. He will need that mental state right from the start. Show us something, Geno.
Another thing that can help him is to move his head clock up by half a heartbeat. You know how we all set our alarm clock a few minutes ahead so we can cheat and hit the snooze button one more time in the morning? That is exactly what Geno needs to do. If he has no options after thousand-one, thousand-two, move those feet like the Devil’s after you.
Both Taylor Heinicke and Jarret Stidham had very effective days against this tough defense in Weeks Sixteen and Seventeen by employing this strategy. They threw quick passes and if they were not there, utilized their scrambling ability often. If that snap-drop-throw is not there, use your feet and create some extra time to find another option.
Have a look at this brilliant play by Heinicke.
The Commanders have a standard screen set up but John Bates cannot even begin to block Nick Bosa – even with a four-step head start (side note: this is a good example of what Rob is talking about when he says explosive traits in pass rush prospects are important – Bosa is 20lbs heavier than Bates and is so quick he leaves him flailing). On the other side, Talanoa Hufanga is blitzing. They have Heinicke dead to rights from both sides.
Heinicke immediately picks up that the screen is dead, pivots and we’re off to some backyard football. He eludes Hufanga and with Bosa bearing down, throws a strike to Jahan Dotson.
It is a great reaction to pressure, great athleticism and a great throw on the run.
Perhaps most important though it is a great decision. Dotson is in a spot that only he can catch that ball. It would still be a very good play if Dotson was blanketed and Heinicke just chucked it into the stands and lived to fight another day.
Geno Smith needs to deliver three or four plays like this on Saturday and avoid those desperate heaves with pressure in his face into very narrow windows. Those types of plays can be the difference between winning and losing.
He has done it before. He needs to do it again Saturday.
What about Brock Purdy?
The story of his emergence rivals Geno’s for Unlikeliest Success of the Year. Kyle Shanahan has been able to integrate him into the offense without too much tailoring.
Purdy only has four interceptions. I have watched all four. There is bad news and good news.
The bad news is only one of the four were just flat-out his fault. He scrambled to his left, saw Kittle deep and did not reset his body angle and made a poor mechanical throw that was picked off.
The other three were two non-critical situations (a fourth down throw and a late-game heave) and a perfect strike that the receiver bobbled and tipped and it was an easy pick.
That is incredible. He has started five games and played in nine as the last pick in the draft and thrown a 67% completion rate. Watching him, he demonstrates a natural feel and awareness that some five-year NFL quarterbacks do not have. He keeps the offense on schedule and the Niners do not have to rely on their running game to carry the offense.
How has he had so much success? That is where the good news comes from.
Kyle Shanahan has not adapted his offense for Purdy so much as narrowed the parameters. He has Purdy getting rid of the ball as quickly as humanly possible. His average time in the pocket is 2.1 seconds, easily one of the shortest in the NFL for starting quarterbacks this year. His air yards per completion is 5.9 yards and is also one of the shortest.
Most NFL defenses can do a passable job of taking a first read away. How is he doing that so well then? Answer: Kyle Shanahan. He is so creative he usually is able to give Purdy two options available before the defense can even diagnose the play. Purdy is fantastic at keeping his eyes up and his feet under him, so he is able to pick his option without having to completely reset his body.
It also dovetails nicely with his skillset as a quarterback. Purdy does not have an NFL arm that will ever wow anyone. He absolutely needs structure and scheming to make his throws work. This offense is perfect for him, maybe even more so than Jimmy Garoppolo. They rarely ask him to throw past the sticks.
Alright. So, the good news is the Seahawks have defended this style several times over the years and done very well at it.
I cannot believe I am saying this but the Seahawks might benefit from looking at the way Ken Norton Jr’s defenses handled this offense in recent seasons.
It is a process. The corners are critical. They must be tight and sticky and the linebackers and safeties must clog those lanes. Do not let him consistently have those quick passes. Linemen have to accept that a good part of their day will be containing the pocket and getting their big paws up to bat down those quick passes. Speedy types like Darryl Taylor and Boye Mafe will need to be ready when they are unleashed.
Taking away those simple options for Purdy will be critical. He can be good throwing on the run and he is a good scrambler but here is where the potential for forcing turnovers comes into play with him. Sometimes he gets too amped up with his scrambles and allows his mechanics to get sloppy. His footwork can get out of sorts and without a rifle for an arm, he will give defenders chances for interceptions.
Another thing that works in the Seahawks’ favor is the matchup. Which side of the field does Purdy have the most success throwing to?
Why, that is Tariq Woolen’s side. If Woolen can have a game there, he can cut a big, big chunk of Purdy’s effectiveness out of his diet and force some of those erratic throws.
Watching Purdy play, I see at times the end result is not unlike Geno Smith. Defenders are unable to finish the interception but it is not for a lack of chances. His numbers are sparkling for his draft status but not unlike the Seahawks’ quarterback, they are hiding some deficiency.
With Geno, his kryptonite is decision-making under pressure. With Purdy, it is his mechanics and having to learn his NFL strengths and weaknesses in real time.
Seahawks defenders must make him learn the hard way Saturday. He only has five starts in the NFL. They need to use that to their advantage, when the stakes are at their highest.
Run the ball
San Francisco has won thirteen games this year. One of the biggest keys to their success? Defending the run.
The Niners are nearly the NFL’s best team at it, entering the playoffs with the second-best run defense in the NFL, only giving up 77.7 yards per game on the ground.
They have only lost four games this year. They have only given up 100 yards rushing in four games this year.
Yup.
Okay, close but not really. Three of their four losses have featured them giving up 100+ yards. The other? They gave up 99 yards in Week One. Close enough.
The game where they gave up 100+ yards and won? The OT win over the Raiders. In overtime Josh Jacobs was gashing the Niner defense and then Jarret Stidham turned back into a pumpkin and threw a horrible wobbly interception of his back foot. Ballgame.
Those five best yardage games that San Francisco allowed? The opposing teams only gained 3.77 yards per carry. But they committed to the run game and did not waiver. Four of those five featured several low or no-gain runs but also had more than one explosive run. The Raiders game did not but three players all had runs of nine yards or more, which was just fine.
This defense is so good, you cannot game plan to attack a specific weakness because they do not have one. Your best bet is to bring your lunch pail, hunker down and get ready for a tough game.
The Seahawks will need Ken Walker in his best form. Deejay Dallas too.
We all know, however, that this is all about how the offensive line performs. Will they be ready?
If you need a boost, Thinking Football just posted a pretty glowing review of the Seahawk line’s performance in the Rams game.
The short version is: Abe Lucas is awesome, Damien Lewis is back to being Damien Lewis, Colby Parkinson is becoming a full-grown tight end and Charles Cross mixes good plays and plays that show he needs to get stronger (I can watch Cross manhandling Michael Hoecht on that Walker flip run all day long).
Of course, that was against the depleted Rams line and San Francisco is a much stiffer test.
To have a puncher’s chance, this line must come up with their best performance of the season on Saturday. We will have to be patient if the run game is slow going but the game itself is a close one. Have faith that Walker will eventually break one.
Other Key Points
The Niners defense is incredibly good at defending the middle of the field. With their front four being able to create disruption and the quickness of their linebackers and Hufanga, they can close gaps in short order.
Just like the running game though, the Seahawks cannot be afraid to go to this area. They have two tight ends who are impressive and one of the most effective plays in their arsenal against San Francisco has been getting Metcalf lined up in the slot and letting him win with speed if it is a linebacker, or size if it is a corner covering him.
Shane Waldron will need a creative day to put this all together.
****
Speaking of Metcalf, they badly need a big day from him. He had another outburst last week and it could have cost the Seahawks the game if it had been flagged. That cannot happen again Saturday. You cannot brush off a timely penalty that hurts the team by saying he is ultra-competitive. Competitors have situational awareness.
Metcalf has not had his best performances against San Francisco in the last three years. He has not been awful but neither has he regularly brought his top game against them. They have been more workman-like. He has three touchdowns in the last six games against the Niners and has been targeted an average of nine times and gotten 66 yards. He has one 100-yard day in those six games. The Seahawks need to feed him liberally to keep the chains moving.
That means no drops and certainly no fumbles.
****
The defense cannot afford a poor day with their tackling in this game. As we discussed above, the Niners’ offense is predicated on short, quick passing and yards after the catch.
There is an argument to be made that if Purdy is on fire and regularly hitting his receivers, the defense can still stall the offense by taking the receivers down quickly.
This area has been very up and down for the team this year. For the record, they had six missed tackles in their first matchup in San Francisco. Not great but not awful either. Their second matchup they had eleven missed tackles, their second-worst performance of the season.
This is unacceptable:
Brock Purdy and George Kittle connect for 2 touchdowns and the San Francisco 49ers clinch the NFC West with a 21-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks. #NFL #FTTB pic.twitter.com/o3Cu2m2JMZ
— For Future Considerations (@PodcastFFC) December 16, 2022
Yes, it has been widely discussed by Pete Carroll and Tariq Woolen that he blew the coverage on the play. Yet those attempts by Diggs and Barton… if the Seahawks bring that level of energy on Saturday, the game will be over by halftime.
Christian McCaffrey is slippery and Deebo Samuel and Kittle are tough to bring down. The defense must meet the moment and be mentally ready to wrap up and bring these guys to the ground over and over and over again.
Outstanding as always Curtis. Really appreciate your efforts every time. I’d like to add 1 other watch point if I may, the Seahawks need no errors in the kicking game. That means no missed field goals or extra points by Myers, no shanked punts, no bad snaps, no fumbled snaps. When you are the lesser talent team you have to be nearly flawless in your execution.
And in a bad weather game being perfect on field goals may mean the difference between winning and losing if Robbie Gould is not.
Spot on Big Mike!
Thanks Cha. Definitely need to bring the A game today & hope the Niners oblige by coughing the ball up. Diggs needs to be every penny of the 18 million dollar man. Honestly, it’s a good place for this Seahawks team to be. Few are giving them a chance.
I was waiting for this, thanks Cha. The weather will surely play a role, hopefully in our favor. I would throw a TE near each tackle and run the ball with every man I got, I’d even consider giving it to DK. I think we’ll have a close game with few points and we could snatch a win.
Really well-written cha. Looking forward to the game today. Go Hawks!
Thanks Cha. Great write up again.
Seahawks by 4.
Thanlks cha. Looks like the weather is going to be a lot calmer then expected today. The pregame views of the field in Santa Clara look fine. A lot of peoply were hoping for a wet and windy mess with a lot of turnovers to give the Sehawks a better chance. As stated in this article, turnovers wil be key today.
I think the rain will benefit the two tackles the most. Any edge, albeit a 15-20% less efficient Nick Bosa, gives Cross and Lucas a punchers chance to limit Bosa coming off the edge and have them readier to handle his inside counters.
Tanner and Cody, Ryan Neal are really gonna have to have a game. Deebo and George can cark out that middle if we don’t let them know early that that part of the dancefloor aint open today. Moreover, with the way Coby Bryant’s role has expanded(blitzing off the edge in the past two games is an example) at the tail end of the season, he could be a cricital chess piece in this game.
I hope Dallas is able to play and play fast. Though Carroll always manages players expectations telling them they just need to do their job, we aren’t beating the 9ers performing just to our capacity. We need a couple of players to play outside their norm and Dallas can be key off the wildcat and in 2 minute situations. Additionally, Shane has to remain more creative in his play calling in order to counter a team that knows you inside and out.
On a side note, I know that there are a million reasons to nick pick at this season. With so much data out there and so many seemingly examples of regression with certain aspects/individuals within the clubhouse that one forgets unlikely it is was to see our Hawks get here. Undoubtedly we have coaching, drafting, FAs decisions to make and a lot of decisions/games we wish to take back but so does every team that is exposed to the rigors of a 17 game NFL season. Green Bay, TB, Denver and many others underperformed while others like the Lions and Jets played out of their projection. NFL season is long and there are many reasons to be wary of where this team is right now. But overall, if we step out of our Hawk-centric echo chamber and the confirmation bias that can come from it, we are in good shape and 95% off teams and their staff wish that the challenges we face across the field today, as well as those challenges awating John and Pete in the offseason, were those they were looking to overcome in the 1st half of 2023.
Thanks Curtis for your well thought-out insight and Rob thanks for putting providing the Agora for Hawks fans year in and year out. Keep it comin’!
👊🏻 🇵🇷,
EB
Well done, Curtis. Much appreciated. Big Mike is exactly right that our special teams play has to be top notch as well.
Yeah I want higher draft picks but a win against Santa Clara today would be suhweeeeeet. Go Hawks!
Same.
Since it’s not going to be #12 let’s see what they can do here on out.
Yep – at this point 20-24 doesn’t really matter at all. Might as well win.
Likewise
CMC and Debo.
Pick your poison and contain. If you can’t, at the very least lessen the one, you are in big trouble with both.
And, why do I get the feeling, if the Hawks win, it will be because of a Lockett game for the ages? My faith in DK’s ability to elevate in situations like this has taken a major hit the last month, so Tyler will become the once again.
FT says Seahawks will Franchise Tag Geno if a longer deal isn’t reached. Gross! Praying that report is trash from Geno or Carroll’s Agent. No way JS will ruin our cap to sign Smith for one year …I’d retch!
What a waste of 1st down 9 yard run.
Exactly how we shouldn’t have started. Tough day ahead for the Oline.
Well we had one good play on the 1st offensive series. Moral victory?
Can’t tackle
Can’t make third downs
What did Curtis say about missed tackles?
Can we tackle in training camp next year
Nice tackling. We’re off to a horrible start.
Barton accidentally made a play. Something, something, broken clock, right twice a day.
Something something blind squirrel something nut
Dammit Big mike!
Blind squirrel
horrid tackling.
Lucky to escape with only a FG on that drive.
I liked how Woolen made up the ground against Jennings. Glad we don’t start 0-7.
Barton has played decent of late
Barton, on the replay it looked like a possible pick 6.
Jeezus. People want to give this guy $30 million/year? Nice scamper for an average 32 year old; bad for a pro athlete.
Ah, reply fail.
Love that return man. He is FAST.
Well blocked return
Get some motion going and get the TEs involved…and move Gino around.
Nice play call Waldron lmfao, this is going to be a long day
DK missed his block, looked like it would have been an easy first down if he hadn’t made such a lame attempt on the db. The db had his eyes on the qb, great opportunity for a crack back block by DK, could’ve lit him up.
Apparently we need to stay out of 3rd and short which is the opposite of the usual approach
Not as a designed run though!!
Well instead of scores should we start guessing how many first downs we get all game my prediction is 4
Nobody on this offense should be being paid $30m next season
I saw someone suggested signing Geno to a 4 year 150 Million contract. I nearly lost it and called them insane.
why do we make 1 yd look soo difficult.
2nd and 1…
3rd and 1…
how about a quick sweep for 1.5 yards? it doesn’t have to look good.
Mafe hasn’t played a snap
You heard what pete said, every game you start a rookie is 1 loss!
Can you lose a game in the first quarter? F*cking right.
No no you win them in the 4th quarter Pete Carroll told me so
This is going to be a blowout lol
But Playoffs!!! What is the point
Time for second half adjustments halfway through the first quarter
Man that QB has one hour to throw the ball…
We are very close right there…
If Pete stays it’s going to be very hard for me to watch another year if this. I’d be surprised if we score a TD
I seriously hope Clint Hurtt gets left in Santa Clara without his wallet or phone.
How can you blame him lol, we have terrible personnel
….And he uses the talent we do have, poorly.
Because we’re just that bad
9ers offense has had no resistance. Simply owning the field. Which means defense will just tee off on geno. Expecting 6+ sacks.
Especially when that idiot runs into them.
I hope a few people get a massive reality check watching this
We’re are f-ing miles away
We had a piss easy schedule and are nowhere near serious playoff caliber
All our weaknesses getting exposed today.
Pete will say on Monday Morning that the Seahawks are so close…
I’m really glad I’m not delusional. Cause otherwise this would ruin my day.
Feels just like 2011.🙄
Ha I just wrote the same comment, beat me by a minute.
Wait til the Niners win the whole thing and it gets spun as “we lost to the Champs though so…”
Adding a 7th seed just for money was ridiculous by the NFL. This is what Buffalo and Miami is gonna look like tomorrow as well I’m sure.
I got to give San Fran kudos with holding it all together using Brock. That’s an incredible story and they look like they are in superbowl shape.
and getting McCaffrey mid season= it is like bringing a hired gunslinger to town. The guy is a beast.
It looks like Irvin is making wrong read on every play why is mafe not getting a single snap
Well we wouldn’t want him to get any playoff experience now would we? More important to play a washed up veteran
Yeah that valuable playoff experience argument, which I believe in, getting thrown out with every Irvin snap.
god i’m sick of watching Quandre’s soft play…
49ers showing everyone you don’t need to pay 30m plus for a qb. Please spend funds on lines and Backers . Then draft a QB at 5 please
Brutal start, just woefully outmatched, two teams playing different sports out there.
The one silver lining, and it’s not much, is that the broader fandom should realise just how far away the Hawks are from competing and shut up a bit. Pretty rugged wake-up for Carroll too, not even close to being close.
It’s incredible how bad the tackling is. Absolutely a teachable skill and they’re just not doing it.
That time when espn ran specials on the best tackling team in the league.
Exactly! They’ve done it before, so they’ve seen and realised the value of it (winning Superbowls, not being a joke, various other fun benefits) but now they’ve given up? They either can’t or won’t teach players, and neither of those options is exactly encouraging.
It’s really probably why it’s extra annoying. We used to be the best at tackling. For years, we were amazing. And then it reversed. Now we easily are one of the worst. Angles, wrapping up, business decisions…just awful.
This is going to get ugly!
Is it bad of me to gloat over an opponents injury? Naww
This coaching staff sucks… we are so outmatched.
So far they have done none of the things Kurt Warner said we should do in his preview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0hrJxdEGX8&t=528s
Didn’t see it and won’t during the game. Was “accept Jesus” one of his bullet points?
No that was Tony Dungey
Here is a summary:
Spread the receivers out to take advantage of their zone and umbrella coverage by creating space.
Maybe if SF had ever rostered Geno, he’d ball out instead of… whatever this crap is.
some good runs and throws – needed this drive badly
Got to get points, and really could use the touchdown
run game doing ok on this drive – -they’re sticking w it, which we knew we had to if there’s a chance of keeping things close at all.
The oline has had a good drive so far
Yes = I’m close to be impressed that the Seahawks have mounted a drive. Now if they can just finish!
Oh oh got us right where they want us. 3rd and one
Telegraphing run with Lockett and d.k on the sidelines
Rob, if we happen to somehow luck into Levis, you think we ring up Liam Coen to be our OC instead of returning to Kentucky?
let’s gooooo!
1st playoff TD, but not the last, for Mr Walker
Alright now we are talking. Lets keep fighting!
good response – – looks like we can run it today….Walker looking sharp
REALLY needed that drive
Come on, that’s it, keep it going!
Absolutely perfect drive there. Really nice to see the oline and run game showing up. Only chance we have is offense controlling the clock. Tire there d.
Legitimately good drive
Good to see it!
Great drive by Waldron. That full house backfield finally working. Also snapping it early in the count to be the aggressor was a great adjustment
I feel like the Seahawks are totally outclassed but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t win if they are tough enough. Maybe a pipedream but we have all seen it happen to a team.
That run loss was all do to mafe
Woolen already beaten twice 😞
Wyman “would love to blame the lb’ers…..” but he obviously wont.
He’s a Pete puppet
Thinks Barton is having a helluva season
Still thanks Adams will be a valuable member of the team
Awful, awful defense
Can we just release Cody Barton at half time?
Tanner Muse is out there trying. Watching Barton makes my stomach hurt
Purdy’s high-stepping? That settles it. I want his kneecaps split.
Yeah that’s rough to watch.
Never thought of that, leave everybody open and confuse the young QB
More shit tackling on Kittle
coby bryant may just be too small/sleight to play at this level. he gets pushed around a ton.
He’s gotten a few forced fumbles by having the awareness to punch out at opportune times. Other than that, I don’t understand why he’s on the field. Must be a lack of options.
How much are we paying diggs….another missed tackle for a first down.
it was bryant on that one
If it wasn’t for the sidelines, would Barton ever get the ball carrier down? He’s your classic “allow reception, chase, push OOB after a 10-12 yd pick up.”
Waiting to see for someone to touch Mr. Irrelevant
we really do need a reliable pass rusher
Either this is the worst defense to ever qualify for the NFL playoffs, or Purdy truly is OROY. Or both. Could be both.
credit where it’s due – – good sequence there for the D
👍
Great stop.
Hopefully they can limit the back breaking plays.
Good to see Ryan Neal back today. Great support there!
I promise that if we can methodically march down the field, burning the clock and taking the lead, I’ll improve my mood….. through halftime. 😜
Well not quite so methodical but you gotta be feeling better now
Between the result and the Scotch… it’s a push.
Walker was such a great pick.
LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Incredibly perfect throw
Well…3 more years of Geno.
let’s just enjoy the moment man
Why my comment would impact your joy is beyond me. I personally dislike Geno and that’s not changing.
becaause we’re part of the same community on here – and I like this community – and I want us all to be happy when we can be. but i’ll stop, not my business really.
I’ll be happy if we win. I’m not happy about the prospect of Geno here long term.
Cheer up dude. Enjoy the game, life’s too short
Thank you Dave – I very much appreciate the comment.
Too small Ward!!!!!! Haha
Give it up for a great blitz beating throw and catch for 6.
There it is!!
Who would of bet that the Seahawks would be ahead toward the end of the half?
Nobody would have put money on it
DK slowly but surely showing up today.
Cha nailed it with running, we would not be where we are at without K9 running as well as he has. Holy shit we are currently winning the game!!!
Wow! The offense found their rhythm. I think that Pury”s inexperience and indecisiveness give the Seahawks defense a chance to keep them out of the endzone.
It’s harder to spread us out where our lack of athleticism shows
If they can keep a credible threat with the running game and play action passes the deep ball will be there then.
Keep repeating the line about the Seahawks being outcoached, maybe Shanny will go 5-12 next year
this is where the Hawks give me hope they can win, isn’t it?
Insert Hawkeye gif. “Don’t give me hope”
Insert “so you’re saying there’s a chance” gif here.
Going much better now, I’m scared that I’m getting my hopes up.
WTF was Dallas doing? Didn’t call for the fair catch and then hesitated? Please tell me we can do better than he and Homer next season.
Seen this movie before. I will get my hopes up with 2 mins left in 4th.
DK came to play today
Without a world class CB on him to get under his skin, he’s actually effective.
Has there ever been a riot in Santa Clara?
Not sure. Have they ever run low on wine?
No. When they had the wildfires they just bought wert from Walla Walla.
When their Tesla deliveries we delayed?
Nice to see a physical identity on offense and Waldron not getting away from it.
Even if we end up losing, huge difference between first and second quarter. There’s hope for better right now.
What was with that play call?
There’s the ultra conservative Pete Carroll scared to take the bull by the horn’s play calling
Pete sucks.. take the ball out of a decent offense and put struggling defense back on the field
100%. Hate that. They are playing with house money. Get aggressive!
The up when the other team has more talent than you do you have to take some chances and be aggressive
Yep wanted to force 49ers to call another time out instead of capitalizing on the momentum and get another score and using the rest of the half up.
two runs to Dallas w a hot back like Walker? hmmmm
What a shite call. Dallas with 3rd and 8?
so they are just running down the clock.
Pete got soft now that were up a commanding 1 point.
A draw on 3&8?!
Audible to a draw play on 3 and 8….WTF
That was Pete hoping they gift us a turnover.
It’s the safe way to lose. Third and eight run a draw play. Yep.
💯
and the 49ers kick a field goal for the lead. Lets file this under I won’t do it in the second half.
You deserve to lose if you play soft. So 9ers double dipping points would be expected.
Wish the Hawks would stop playing that soft zone. The young CB are a lot more comfortable in man.
How do we always manage to give up 18 yards on 3rd and 10?
Because we aren’t going against a Pete Carroll offense that runs a draw.
Pete’s special. Offense can’t get 3rd and short, Defense won’t sweat for 3rd and long
should have known the hype train on Purdy was overblown. he looks….fine. i guess it’s rainy, but his passes look pretty fluttery and not that accurate either.
If I may, he looks like Geno Smith.
I think Geno has more of a big league arm. And threw the dime to DK – so he’s had the better half.
Geno got really shaky the 2nd half of the season, but the 1st half he looked like a legit high-end QB.
His inaccuracy is really keeping our D in this. He’s had some good throws but missed some wide open guys. He’s looked better in other games.
Great play by Jackson.
Shelby Harris having a good day it seems
Smooth Criminal.
pass rush looking a little better
Those 3 free points are on Pete
agree w you. at the very least, have K9 in if you’re gonna run it twice like that.
Nope!
Smart pass rush gameplan. Looks like we’re rushing Purdy to always escape to his left, similar to the gameplan for Russ week 1.
Gotta give the D some credit they have come up big in key spots so far…keeping them in the game. Also helped out by Purdy but still
Watch this become 23-14 before offense gets next shot.
Like you like that Pete? Playing scared and conservative lost you the lead before half and the 49ers get a chance to double dip with the second half kick off.
And what makes it even worse is they get the ball to start the 2nd half so that was the worst possible time to hand off the ball twice and punt
It would be different if our defense was elite
And since we got the gift from Ward we will not learn anything from it because we didn’t pay for playing scared.
💯
Conceding yardage? 20 yd pass to Tyler, timeout, Myers for the lead.
Well, that works too.
We all talk about how much better the SF roster and coaching is but surprisingly the Hawks are right in this game somehow.
Big penalty. Wow
3 point penalty
Jackson got beat by Deebo on the 3rd and 10 and makes a great play getting his hand on that ball.
Wow! Great kick by myers.
Geno’s trick play get the 15 yard penalty. And Seahawks stealing 3 before halftime LOL.
All as planned by the coaching staff.
Silly decision to squib, stupid penalty and a 1-pt lead at halftime. Did anyone predict this?
YES!
you gotta love sh*t
Wow that’s a clutch kick from Myers!
Just like Hauschka Money
Dumb play by 9ers D.. bails out Pete
that’s a good half for our offense against this D. 17 mins TOP.
Protect the ball. Tough to imagine D getting a turnover
I don’t know – i’m seeing a little shakiness from Purdy – he could have a pick in him.
Of course, so could Geno.
Haha how it would be like to end up winning the game by under 3?
Lol what an idiot, imagine coughing up the lead like that right on the half.
Another Shanahan team bottling it in the playoffs would be something.
considering the opposition – very nice half for our O-line too. 20 for 82 yrds in the rush game.
I would expect Shanny to go for 4th down instead of settling for field goals in 2nd half. They had 4 good drives to show for 16 points vs Seahawks 2 good drives for 17
I still would rather have the higher draft pick than win this game. Am I a bad fan?
We are well past where it matters. If the Seahawks weren’t going to tank from game one, they my as well play hard in all their games. It’s one or the other.
I couldn’t care less about the draft pick if we kick 49ers out. But I understand how you feel too.
In this range it would not matter. They are only worth if you can make them work. Seahawks had 1 good draft in a really long time
This is fantastic. Get purdy in a position where he has to keep up or play from behind. He’s got a turnover in him. Thinking mafe will have a big second half since he’s rested 🙄
Honestly impressed. This was the team I least wanted to see in the post season.
Love the feeling of being in a tight playoff game again. Hard to replicate that feeling elsewhere in life.
I’m not sure what it feels like. Is this year the year Seattle slip into playoffs with a 7-9 record then Beast Quake happened or is this the year we lost in the Atlanta in the playoff in less than minute.
Beating the the Niners would be great. Don’t care about the draft position.
Way to pick up Kittle crossing you moron Barton!
Nwosu in the backfield for a 3rd time today
Barton. Amazing
Cody classic. Take out own teammate out of play.
Woolen has regressed some
Cody Barton? Clint Barton?
From when? Last week?
One of the best blocks I’ve seen Barton make.
Way to make the third down saving tackle Barton.
Shanny will keep running the ball.. it ain’t broken until it is.
I won’t forget the Oline of the Bucs shouting to keep on running against us.
Barton again
He blocked Woollen..
I hope Muse sticks around
Same
thought crossed my mind – – we haven’t really missed Jordyn Brooks much
Been thinking the same
Ahhhh. Neal almost had him.
Worst tackling team all year….
The tackling 🤦♂️
Just don’t understand how it can be so bad year after year
Anyone remember the system of tackling that Seattle created and emphasized? What was it called again? “Hawk tackling?” On this squad’s performances, you’d never know this coach’s D ever applied such a system.
Shanny remembering the niners win by running. Awesome.
Good news we can still send out tape of the Seahawks to teach tackling technique…bad news it’s all what not to do
Too soon 🤣
Not
I’m still grieving how bad this tackling is.
It’s ok be a like a RB against the Seahawks and don’t let it get you down!
Nicely played.
Thats a real good drive for the Niners. nearly 8 minutes.
we’re missing tackles for sure – but it’s Deebo and it’s McCaffrey breaking the tackles – and it’s also that they’re really good.
Unfortunately I think it’s more that we suck at tackling.
Made too many teams look great on the ground this year.
So the new 49er strategy is to ram it down our throats?
Wouldn’t you?
it really comes down to 3rd downs. we made them work for that – 13 plays, 8 minutes, but we let them convert those three third downs, esp that 3rd and 10, and that’s how FG’s become TD’s.
This run defense makes the game almost unwatchable. Nobody can tackle
Can you be any worse than Cody Barton? This guy is ridiculously bad
If I was any offensive coordinator playing against Seattle my game plan would consist 90% of running at, passing at, and absolutely exposing the weakness of this defense.
Cody Barton
He makes it so hard to watch, he’s like a freaking black hole.
At some point, Tyler’s going to be a weapon. SF can’t keep missing DK on the field. Some harder coverage coming. Tyler can exploit it.
Exactly this 💯 %
Metcalf has got to be happy that Ramsey isn’t guarding him today LOL
I want more bootlegs than a table full of watches in New York city!
Very funny
I hate the wasting of timeouts in the second half more than most things. Seahawks in this game but really need 3rd down conversions on offense and stops on defense.
Here we go. Hadn’t shot ourselves in the foot yet. No time like the present….
Geno need to settle down
DK a beast today
110 yards already.
Cha: “speaking of metcalf, they badly need a big game from him……”
Great to see it manifest.
Don’t understand why they r running with Dallas.. such a waste of opportunities
For the headline: San Francisco beaten by Dallas.
Letting Dallas rush is like falling forward for a yard. He runs hard but always into a wall.
I don’t think Dallas running is the reason he’s running into a wall. Our center is our biggest hole on the offensive line.
Geno really been very solid today. The whole offense really holding their own against the best defense in the league.
*knock.on wood* His decision making has been spot on all day Gino
Aaaaand that’s what I get
ugh that sucks
yes Way to go you two trouble makers!
dammit
tight f-ing call on that illegal man downfield….and now the mistake
Very ticky tack call but the ref didn’t fumble
Well. Unless we take it back, that’s likely game.
God damnit there is the turnover that will cost us
totally
There it is the perfectly timed Geno turn over
That was a bullshit call on the Locket catch and changed the game.
agreed…super tight call. 2nd and 2, becase 2nd and 14
That’s what happens when in the game day, the media makes noise about how the poor Rams were beat by the refs against Seattle.
Looked like he was downfield by a good three yards
Shit.
So many mistakes and struggles on that drive, cap it with a fumble Geno. Takes all the momentum away.
Who is going to stop 9ers running game now.. they have taken ball out of Purdy and will run run run
That absolute trash call set that up. Wouldve been 3rd and like 3, instead 2nd and 14 and 2 straight long pass plays.
Overall just a sloppy drive, still reasonably effective but we made the mistakes we’ve not been making. 2 unnecessary penalties and a wasted timeout, the obviously the fumble.
That was terrible ball control by Geno. He just left it out there to be knocked out. Seattle offensive lineman had no idea ball was out when it was rolling on the ground so no opportunity to recover fumble. 3 crucial points lost there. geno had to know that he couldn’t give up a fumble or take a big sack (even with a sack we were in field goal range). This is why I want to draft a qb I just don’t think Geno is the man.
THIS, THIS and THIS
Hawks D needs to step up for once. Points here for SF and it’s ball game.
💯
Ref didn’t fumble guys
I’ve never seen a Ref force a fumble, but I think I’ve seen one throw a block.
True, but that call changed entire trajectory of plays to follow. The fumble itself was a good play by dl. But 3rd and 14, they were all.in.on pass rush.
I think that the Blythe injury doomed that last drive.
CAN WE DRAFT A CENTER ALREADY !!!
Nope.
My goodness the tackling really is embarrassing.
I think it’s game over unless our defense can create a turn over. Shanny has this figured out.
Watch 49ers run down our throat take 8 mins off the clock and score…
Woolen or Diggs need to do their thing, on this drive. We sure as hell aren’t getting a strip sack from our ends.
our mike lb just running around bumping into teammates
Hawks need a turnover in the biggest way. Time for Bryant to force a fumble or Nwosu strip sack would be even better. Sadly I think SF just runs it down our throat rest of game.
Seattle just misses more tackles. I don;t watch enough other teams to say how much more we miss tackles than other teams. Trevor I agree. Seattle played well in the first half but San Fran really has the better team and they should win. Cheering for Seattle but know they are undermanned. We can’t afford mistakes and we have made several. Still playing better than I thought.
feels like that turnover was the mistake we couldn’t afford to make against the stronger team.
especially w the game right in the balance. crap.
💯
Tariq on the rook learning curve today
He has taken a step back.. rookie wall I guess
I am impressed with Purdy’s decision making.. avoiding negative plays
Seahawks third worse rush defense.
Already giving up more yards today than season average.
Purdy doing classic Russ shite. Game over.
What a nice play by Purdy.. another wiff by Irvin.
well…..
Will be good to roll into next season w more horses on defense. This game has been mostly fun today too. Nothing to hang heads about.
It was fun for a quarter
Well…..we gave it a half.
A quarter 😂
Would you rather have Purdy or Geno as your starter next year?
(Salary aside)
This year’s Brock Purdy is Stetson Bennett.
How is this even a question? Keeping Geno @ $20M plus or a 7th rounder that’s performing well? Hmmm….
Only if Shanny comes along.
Okay, down by two touchdowns.
14:02 left in the 4th quarter.
Backup center in the game.
Give the ball to Deejay Dallas!
You nailed it..
Players come and go and still guys wide open all the time and confusion everywhere.
They will cut Diggs. Right? RIGHT?
Barton…. Just hanging out in the middle, occasionally blocking his own teammates
Igwebuke got Rebuke.
Games like this show how much of a force DK could be. How he disappears sometimes during the season is baffling.
Most of the time except when causing penalties
Looks like refs got the message.. they are going to make this game ugly for Hawks
man….thought the same thing….
does SF have a penalty today outside of that late hit?
Where’s the nfl is rigged youtube videos when I need them. Lol
The plan was to let them skate for three quarters and THEN dropping the hammer? Nah. These are self inflicted.
Cross hurt?
Well guess not
Seahawks offenses imploding
Defense sucks.
But we should talk about this anemic offense.
Well Cross is hurting us
How was that not holding or PI on the DK shot downfield?
Exactly
Seems like now WR gets fouled more and less calls than DK for some reason.
Apparently the Brock Purdy story is better than the Geno Smith story and the refs got the call from New York to make sure that story continues
I kinda agree with them
We’re imploding now
That fumble….
Penalties and poor throughs from Gino…
These penalties are ticky tack at best.
geno has had maybe one bad throw today by my count – and looked like DK was held a little.
Throws ha ha
Why the Hell are we constantly having goddamn lineman down field on obvious down field passing plays?
Turning into a blow out. Surprised we kept the score close for that long.
I expect mccaffrey to break off about a 60 yd touchdown run here on this possession
I mean Deebo
Or deebo.
Sure seems like we continually get out coached during halftime.
Feels like other teams always make the proper adjustments, while we don’t.
Unfortunately, it’s been multiple years.
hope they’re watching the Niners O-lineman equally close on this drive …..
Well let’s get ready for the draft. Pick #19 it is.
Wonder if Shanny told refs to watch lineman moving downfield. Cause to call out these .5yard ish downfield calls are silly.
Big Mike is right, the refs didn’t fumble that ball. But the calls have definitely tilted the Niners way this half – especially that crucial one in the red zone. And it may have been accurate – but those go uncalled all the time on quick hitting pass plays like that one was to Lockett.
How many times has 49ers punted. Once I think..
So bad
All I want is this off-season to show us that “we have real problems and we are working to address them.”
Do I have any faith in that? No I don’t.
Dang, crazy blocking on that pass play. Three touchdowns ahead, I think they got the Hawks. Ouch.
Knew it, they’re going to put another 1 or 2 scores on top of this with how much time is left.
Okay. Guys gave up on that pursuit.
All we need is an end to take out Purdy’s knees and I’ll call today a win.
Why would you post something like that? What a horrible thought
Because he’s the opposing QB? You happy with his “roostering” all over the field?
Pretend he’s Jamal Adams and you’ll jump on board.
I would never root for any player on any team to be purposely hurt by someone on another team.
I think your post is embarrassing
I don’t like Adams one iota but I never celebrated any of his injuries
Gross
Not cool to wish injury on a player, ever. You wouldn’t like it if it happened to you.
Tariq has a lot of promise but boy has he had a bad day today
Thankfully for woolen the rest of the team has looked dull, listless, ineffective, and any other adjective to describe uninspiring you can think of.
Michale Jackson is playing better than Tariq.. who could have imagined
Agree Tariq has had a very poor day but he is not the only player. Barton, Diggs, Irwin with wiffs… we have given up so many huge huge plays both running and passing. Our defense just collapsed in the 2nd half although they gave up a lot of big plays in the first. 2 turnovers by Geno… pretty well story of the game on offense. Geno trying to do too much and as usual can’t.
It’s almost like there shouldn’t be a 7th seed.
Miami may be worse tomorrow
Not sure I’ll feel better then
I do like just 1 bye team tho.
That I like.
I’d rather have all the playoff teams get a bye week and no byes after that. 8 teams in, everyone plays.
No 7th seed and no shitty Thursday night football games
Updated wish list:
QB, IOL(2), WR(1), DT(2), DE(2), LB(3), S(2), CB(2)
Nice first half though.
I think this is Woolen’s worst game as a Seahawk.
he saw that screen happening and decided to dance with aiyuk
Diggs completely failed to be a free safety on that play, Barton was around to bear witness as he can always be ounted on for, and Wollen was effectively blocked by Aijuk. 6
I hope he uses it as motivation this offseason. He was real good this year. But he’s getting humbled.
They have actively give after him. Learning experience
2 good drives..that’s all to talk about.
I am struggling for thoughts how this can compete ever under Pete.
This game is kind of like the Seahawks season, they honestly did better then I thought they would do but ultimately not a good team
I think that’s right – we’re ok, we’re not contenders – but we do have two 1st and two 2nds. future looks ok.
Even if the calls weren’t incredibly 1 sided this half, I doubt the defense does anything different than it has. Wouldve been nice tho, if the refs didn’t go flag happy on us. Like 9ers dint need any help.lol
seahawks are the team we thought they were
And total meltdown time now
Please do not give Geno 30 million…please
Geno give th Geno taketh..
Who is there at #5
Back to reality this quarter. I still don’t really understand why you keep a defensive minded Head Coach around if they continue delivering awful defences.
This is unravelling badly – Geno melting
49ers showing you the blueprint who needs a 30 million plus QB
30 million.
Nah.
Hardest pass.
Geno Smith just said “Naw fam… I don’t want the franchise tag. I’ll take less” 🤦♂️
that turnover really did turn this game on a dime….22-0 since…damn
And the route is officially on!
Dont worry…Pete will focus pn the first half and deduce that we are championship ready.
We were right there in it
Just gotta clean some stuff up.
More like set the house on fire and build again.
The 1st half proves we are close
anyone remember the last time a pete carroll defense made a 2nd string, 3rd string qb look bad?
Purdy is second coming of Brady
Well, ultimately a predictable result but I’m pretty inspired by how they played in the first half. Felt like they were punching above their weight but I think the future looks bright, assuming they nail this next draft class
Yeah same, 2nd half had to be perfect scenario for us to keep up. And it was worst case scenario. But it shows how a snowball effect can kill a bad team quick. The d needs a revamp.
not that it matters much…but Barton blocked right in the back on that play.
At least effing play physical and punish 9ers…
I never want to see Cody Barton again
Unless it is with another team in the NFC West I agree.
Offense was never gonna keep up. Our defence can’t stop the run. Bad play calling by San Fran and bad purdy play kept us in it in the first half.
What is worse.. not making playoffs or getting humiliated against division rival in playoffs?
I still will always root for a chance in playoffs. And we had a good 1st half. Wheels fell off. Prob the best scenario. Pete can’t say we are this close if we get curb stomped.
Surely no one thought this was going to go any other way?
Seattle is completely outclassed in this matchup. Anyone who thought otherwise is delusional.
This new NFL playoff format was made only to generate more money. It had nothing to do with teams deserving to be in the playoffs. It is wrong, and it only causes more injury risk to players who should not be playing such meaningless blow out games .
Could have also had the 14th pick too.
A guy can dream.
How do you have 3 ineligible man downfield penalties in one half?
Coaching?
Yep
Trying to run a special play
Illegal aliens?
I really wish we would have dropped one of those last couple games. This is just ridiculous. On the bright side as Rob said, hopefully this gives the reality check much of the fan base needs about where this team is and how good geno is.
Seattle sorely missing RB2, RB3, WR3, C on offense.
Grateful for the first half. The drum banging for defense at #5 will only get louder and I get it. Brock Purdy shredded this defense. 331/3/0. Until coaching changes, you can spend the entire 2023 draft on defense and it won’t matter.
QB is still the most critical position and if stroud/Levis/Richardson are there, it should be a no brainer. Fun season blog, looking forward to the offseason.
I thought it interesting that one 1 of the 4 All Pro IDL (1st and 2nd team) was a top 10 pick.
What an embarrassing second half
It’s like the Seahawks were a tire that was overinflated in the first half, and the second half someone slashed the tire and it’s been slowly deflating ever since
More like went flat right away.
True I was giving them too much credit
That’s a great analogy, couldn’t agree more
The temptation will be strong for them to use the first round on defense after that performance. Perhaps it will help them to be ruthless.
Where is this going to put us for our native pick in the draft
Pick 20, unless TB wins. Then it’s 19
Look on the bright side, our young players learned that o line can’t run down field on a pass play
Legit LOL
Gino stat stuffing against reserves. Would have been nice to see Drew instead
Nothing like a 5 minute drive of dunking and dunking to make the stat line look clean.
DK had a great day. He deserved that one.
Can you win the game in the 1st quarter?
No!
Can you win the game in the 2nd quarter?
Nooo!
Can you win the game in the 3rd quarter?
Noooooo!
Can you win the game in the 4th quarter?
OH, HELLLLLLL NO !!!
This shows the Hawks can use their 7th rd pick on a starting QB and use the 5th pick for defense.
Maybe they can trade for Kyle Shanahan too
The cult is already on it, on Twitter.
“23 points is the 4th most SF has given up…”
Yea – that last TD was clearly against a defense that wasn’t clearly just worried about milking the clock.
Pete, do you REALLY want to keep doing this? Come on man. No way you’re enjoying this.
We really played over our heads and showed good fight against a superior opponent – up until that Geno fumble.
I know the scoreboard looks bad, but didn’t feel like a humiliation to me. Niners are obvioulsy much better, no argument, but we were down 6 going into the 4th quarter.