Grading the Seahawks’ 27-7 loss to the 49ers

Published 4:42 pm Sunday, September 18, 2022

Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium:

OFFENSE

Despite quarterback Geno Smith completing 24 of 30 passes, this was an offensive failure in every respect. Seattle’s offense didn’t produce a single point, and going back to the opener has been held scoreless for six straight quarters. The Seahawks turned the ball over twice on interceptions. Running back Rashaad Penny and receiver DK Metcalf, who are supposed to be Seattle’s two biggest offensive weapons, were complete non-factors. And the offense did nothing to support the defense and special teams after those units improved their play in the second half.

Grade: F

DEFENSE

In the first half the defense was a mess, as missed tackles and missed assignments allowed the 49ers to run rampant. The only redeeming quality was the Seahawks tightening up in the red zone, forcing San Francisco to settle for field goals and keeping it from being over at halftime. To its credit, the defense improved in the second half once it adjusted to the quarterback switch from Trey Lance to Jimmy Garoppolo. But on San Francisco’s clinching fourth-quarter drive Seattle couldn’t get a crucial stop on third down on three separate occasions.

Grade: C-

SPECIAL TEAMS

There were huge game-swinging plays on special teams, both positive and negative. The botched punt return in which blocker Xavier Crawford collided with returner Tyler Lockett, resulting in a fumble, essentially gifted San Francisco a touchdown late in the first half. However, Tariq Woolen’s blocked field goal was returned for a TD by Mike Jackson in the third quarter, getting Seattle back into the game. If those two moments cancel one another out, then special teams were a net minus for the Seahawks as the overall return game was poor.

Grade: C-

COACHING

Well, one can’t say the Seahawks didn’t try. But there were some truly awful coaching moments in this one. The red-zone play call for a halfback pass in the second quarter, which was intercepted at the goal line, was a genuine, “Did I really see what I just saw?” moment. The penalties during trick/option plays suggest those hadn’t been prepared properly. But the biggest coaching issue came when Lance left the game injured in the first quarter, and it took too long for the defense to adjust from a running quarterback to a passing quarterback in Garoppolo.

Grade: F

OVERALL

This was always going to be a tough task for the Seahawks, playing on a short week following an emotional victory in Russell Wilson’s return to Seattle. But there were factors stacked in Seattle’s favor, too, as San Francisco was without arguably its top offensive weapon in tight end George Kittle, and the Seahawks have dominated the 49ers for almost a decade. San Francisco losing its starting quarterback early in the game should have been the kicker for Seattle. Instead the Seahawks laid an egg, and it was a huge splash of cold water in the face following the opening win against Denver.

Grade: F

– Nick Patterson, Herald writer