Takeaways from 49ers 19, Seahawks 17

I wrote in today’s Herald about how meaningful a win in San Francisco would be for the Seahawks, so I’m not going to try to convince you now that a loss wasn’t sigfnicant. That being said, however, it is worth remembering after Seattle’s 19-17 loss to the 49ers that all of the Seahawks’ goals are still in front of them.

At 11-2, the Seahawks still have a two-game lead over San Francisco in the NFC West with three games to play, and over New Orleans, which beat Carolina on Sunday night to go to 9-4.

“What’s important to us is that we’ve got a lot of football left,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “… Everything’s out there. We’ve got three huge games coming up here.”

With Seattle’s second loss of the season in the books, let’s take a look at some things that stood out from their afternoon in San Francisco.

1. The 49ers still a threat in the NFC

Yes, the Seahawks are still very likely going to win the division title and earn home-field advantage, but the 49ers showed Sunday they’re still a very good team, particularly on defense. And for San Francisco, a team that has been up and down this season, beating the team with the league’s best record has to serve as a confidence builder. Of course the Seahawks have dominated the 49ers in Seattle in each of the past two meetings, which should bode well for their chances in a playoff game, but if San Francisco’s defense can come close to the effort it showed in this game, the 49ers should be tough in the playoffs, even on the road.

2. Sunday’s injuries could be costly

The Seahawks came into this game relatively healthy — by late-season NFL standards at least — but could have some significant injury concerns going forward. Linebacker KJ broke a bone in his foot, which according to Carroll “looks like a six-week type of injury.” That means if Wright does make it back this year — the Seahawks could elect to put him on injured reserve if further evaluation determines the injury will keep him out any longer — it might not be until deep in the postseason or the Super Bowl if Seattle were to get that far. With Wright out, Malcolm Smith will take over as the starter at weakside linebacker. Smith started the first four games this season at strongside linebacker for Bruce Irvin, and has also started on the weakside this season when Wright was filling in at middle linebacker for an injured Bobby Wagner. Additionally center Max Unger was unable to finish the game with what Carroll called a pectoral strain, and safety Jeron Johnson, who has battled hamstring issues this year, injured his other hamstring and could not finish the game.

3. Seattle defense had another very good day… until one very bad play

After the 49ers drove deep into Seattle territory on their second possession, the Seahawks got a stop in the red zone to force a field goal, then after the 49ers blocked a punt, the defense again forced a field goal. And until San Francisco’s game-winning field goal, the Seahawks were pitching a second-half shutout while holding Colin Kaepernick to another sub-par performance and keeping the run game in check.

All of that was undone, however, by one 51-yard Frank Gore run that set up the winning score. Malcolm Smith said he was out of position on the play during a postgame interview with Q13 Fox — “I’ll take the blame for that… We just got outflanked on that one,” he said — but Smith was hardly the only guilty party on the play. Most notably, Earl Thomas, who is almost never out of position, appeared to take a bad angle and get sucked in too far on the play, allowing Gore to turn a solid run into a huge one. If the Seahawks limit Gore to a shorter run there and eventually get off the field, they’re looking at a victory in which they held the 49ers to 16 points and less that 300 yards. Instead, one of the 49ers’ only big plays of the day was a game-changer.

“We just let them get out with a big run,” Carroll said. “It was a one-play deal as it came down to it. Once they made that run, they’re already in field goal position.

4. Seattle’s special teams were a little less special Sunday

Usually a strength of the team, Seattle’s special teams unit, and punt team in particular, struggled. The blocked punt was the most obvious mistake, but usually steady punter Jon Ryan didn’t seem to be hitting the ball as well as usual, and had a net average of only 31 yards per punt.

On the plus side, Golden Tate did have a 38-yard punt return to set up Seattle’s final field goal.

5. Penalties were again an issue

Earlier this season the Seahawks lamented how often penalties caused their offense to stall out, and that old problem came back again Sunday. And I know, I know, there were some questionable calls in there, but really both teams were victim of/benefited from some bad calls and no calls both ways, and some of those costly penalties against Seattle were very much legitimate calls. When the Seahawks are rolling at home, they can afford a few more penalties than is ideal, but in a low-scoring, physical battle on the road, 9 penalties for 85 yards was a significant factor.

6. The Seahawks won’t panic after losing to their rivals

Sure the Seahawks would have loved to clinch the NFC West in San Francisco, but they’re not about to implode after one tough loss, especially not when very little changes in the grand scheme of things when it comes to postseason seeding, the division race, etc.

The Seahawks are back on the road next weekend, but against a struggling New York Giants team that was blown out by San Diego on Sunday, then finish with two in a row at home. Two wins would clinch the No. 1 seed regardless of what else happens around the NFC, and one win could if the Seahawks get a little help.

“It’s not panic time, we just need to make sure we get back to work, come back with our attention to detail,” quarterback Russell Wilson said in his postgame press conference. “Obviously you don’t want to lose this game, it gave us a great opportunity for down the road, but at the same time, you don’t win them all. The key is to try to get to the last one and win that one.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.