Observations from another 49ers loss to cap a disappointing season
The 49ers led the Seahawks by 10 early in the fourth quarter. 12 minutes later they were down 3, and a much healthier, more talented Seattle team put it away to cap their year with a 26-16 win and send the 49ers home with another disappointing loss and a 6-10 finish.
Here is our running notebook from throughout the game:
First quarter
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- Nice tackle for loss by Azeez Al-Shaair on Seattle's first series. He also had coverage down field on the ensuing second-down play. Al-Shaair could be playing his way into a starting role next season. - Russell Wilson's first third-down throw gets batted down by Arik Armstead. He's had a rough year, but he's finished the season strong. - Third-and-1 on the 49ers' first series is a run up the middle for Kyle Juszczyk. He didn't get the first down. They might've gone to that play one too many times over the last few weeks. Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner had it sniffed out the whole way. - Nice tackle by Jimmie Ward to force a Seahawks punt on a short throw to Jacob Hollister. He may not generate a ton of takeaways, but Ward is a terrific safety in this defense. - Good work by Kendrick Bourne on a third-and-short to work back to the ball for the reception then fight ahead for a first down. His ability to convert third downs may earn him a nice pay day in free agency. - Excellent work by the 49ers' secondary on a Russell Wilson scramble to force a throwaway. He's lethal in those situations and San Francisco didn't give him anywhere to go. That's impressive stuff especially given that they're missing three starters in their nickel defense. - Seahawks settle for a short field goal after a DK Metcalf drop. Not sure he would've gotten a first down anyway. Ahkello Witherspoon had good coverage and was in position for a quick tackle. Seahawks 3, 49ers 0 - Good recognition by Jason Verrett on an outside run to Chris Carson. He never bit on the jet motion and strung the run out to the right for no gain. The 49ers should really try and get him back in the offseason. END OF QUARTER: Seahawks 3, 49ers 0
Second quarter
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- DK Metcalf breaks the Seahawks single-season record for receiving yards on a short third-and-1 catch. Dontae Johnson actually had good coverage. Metcalf is just a monster and extremely difficult cover. - A deep shot for the end zone to Metcalf falls incomplete thanks to tight coverage by Ahkello Witherspoon. He's done a nice job the last couple weeks and may wind up back with the club next season. - More good coverage from Johnson on a third-down end zone shot for Tyler Lockett. This has been a strong outing from a beat up 49ers secondary. Seattle again settles for a field goal. Seahawks 6, 49ers 0 - Another third down. Another sack. Another punt. This is an abysmal start for the 49ers' offense. - Fred Warner on a third down gets home on a blitz for his first sack of the season. San Francisco's pass rush has been strong all day, but Wilson is so good at evading it that they haven't capitalized with sacks. - After a throw to George Kittle lost 5 yards, CJ Beathard is 4-for-8 for two yards. - Right after that he found Richie James deep up the seam for 49 yards. That was a good route from James and a dime from Beathard. - Kyle Juszczyk got whacked after Beathard floated a throw to him in traffic. The fullback popped right up, but man that was not a great toss from the QB. - Tristan Vizcaino's first NFL kick is good from 36 yards out. He's wearing long red sleeves, FYI. Seahawks 6, 49ers 3 - The first half ends on Dontae Johnson's first career sack. What a weird first 30 minutes. HALFTIME: Seahawks 6, 49ers 3
Third quarter
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
- Beathard missed a wide open Ross Dwelley, and instead tried to find Kittle up the seam for a touchdown on the opening drive of the first half. Kittle dove, but the ball bounced off his hands. That might be one he wants back. - Vizcaino has been money in his NFL debut. His 47-yard try to cap the 49ers' first drive of the third quarter was right down the middle to tie the game. Seahawks 6, 49ers 6 - Wow. Witherspoon puts clamps on Metcalf again on a third down. Metcalf tried to out-muscle him and the corner worked through the receiver for the pass breakup. - River Cracraft just had a 21-yard punt return which is the longest punt return of the year for San Francisco. - What a catch by George Kittle for a 41-yard gain to put San Francisco at the Seattle 8. A one-handed, juggling snag isn't the typical great play we see from Kittle, but it's not a huge surprise he made it. - Woof. Beathard missed Kittle wide open for a touchdown on second-and-goal, then he took a sack on third-and-goal. He's been okay, but his decision-making hasn't been great and its cost the 49ers touchdowns on two drives. Vizcaino is cash again from 33 yards out. 49ers 9, Seahawks 6 - Al-Shaair shows up again to drop Wilson for a gain of maybe 1 yard on a scramble. The young linebacker is having a really outstanding game. - Another third-down conversion goes to Bourne. Third-and-9 and the receiver turns it into a 26-yard gain. Bourne's a really good player. - Bourne again on a fourth-and-3. He came back to the ball as Beathard scrambled, then the receiver hit the toe tap on the sideline to notch the 11-yard reception. What a game for him. END OF QUARTER: 49ers 9, Seahawks 6
Fourth quarter
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- Good start to the quarter. Jeff WIlson on a second-and-5 from the Seattle 7 plows in for his ninth touchdown of the year and the first touchdown of this game. San Francisco's offense has now scored on four consecutive possessions after four consecutive punts to open the game. 49ers 16, Seahawks 6 - Yikes. Dontae Johnson makes his biggest mistake of the game. He lowers his helmet and hits Tyler Lockett well out of bounds. It would've been third down, but now Seattle gets 15 yards and a first down. - That was way too easy for Seattle. 75 yards on eight plays for a touchdown was not what the 49ers defense needed. They've been so good, but that was an abysmal series from them. On third-and-goal, Wilson escaped multiple sacks to drill in a throw to Lockett for the score. The extra point was no good which could loom large in this one. 49ers 16, Seahawks 12 - Third-and-5 and another drop from Kittle that would've moved the chains. It would've been a tough catch, but like the earlier would-be touchdown, that's one Kittle probably wants back. Instead the 49ers punt and give Seattle a chance to take the lead with 7:26 left. - Two quick first downs. The 49ers defense suddenly has no answer for Seattle's offense. - Russell Wilson's legs have killed the 49ers. Two good runs from the QB have Seattle with first-and-goal from the 10. San Francisco's defense looks out of gas. - More good coverage from Al-Shaair on a shot to Jacob Hollister in the corner of the end zone. - Third-and-goal it's Al-Shaair again. Wilson was looking for Metcalf on a fade, but Al-Shaair got a hand on it to break it up. - There's Witherspoon. He gets torched on a fourth-and-goal throw to Lockett for a touchdown. Easy work for Seattle on that drive. Seahawks 19, 49ers 16 - 2:20 left and three timeouts for Beathard. His first throw is way over the head of Jeff Wilson. Not a great start. - And a fumble by Beathard. Seahawks recover and score three plays later. That's probably it for San Francisco. Seahawks 26, 49ers 16 - There's a good drive from the 49ers' offense. Beathard looked good and found Wilson for Wilson's second score of the day. Seahawks 26, 49ers 23 - Onside kick is recovered by Seattle. Ball game. Season. FINAL SCORE: Seahawks 26, 49ers 23
