For the third straight game, the Seahawks found themselves trying to mount a late comeback, and for a third straight game, despite showing plenty of fight, they weren't able to complete the job. This time, the Seahawks had to try to overcome a 20-point deficit that was the result of big plays given up by the defense, turnovers committed on offense, and a turnover on special teams.
Geno Smith, who has been fantastic this season, wasn't his usually sharp self, resulting in a pair of interceptions, and the defense couldn't get the final stop it needed, resulting in a 36-24 loss at Lumen Field.
Here are five rapid reactions to Thursday night's loss:
- Big plays were a big problem for the defense.
The Seahawks defense was looking to turn things around after a tough two-game stretch, and while there were some positives, particularly in the second half, the 49ers were able to do a lot of damage with explosive plays in the first half.
The biggest play of all, of course, was Brock Purdy's 76-yard touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel, who initially got open down the left sideline, then perhaps because of a slightly underthrown pass, Julian Love misjudged the ball and missed on his tackle attempt, allowing Samuel to race down the sideline for the score.
There was also a 38-yard run by Jordan Mason, who broke several tackles on the play, to set up a field goal, and there was a 29-yard completion to wide open George Kittle on first drive of third quarter, a play that set up one of his two touchdowns on the night.
The defense did get some crucial stops in the second half, giving the offense a chance to claw back into the game, but when the Seahawks needed one more stop to get the ball back in the final minutes, 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo broke free for a 76-yard run that all but put the game away.
Thanks in part to those explosive plays, the 49ers were able to pile up 484 yards of offense, averaging 8.1 yards per play.
- Turnovers have been an issue for the Seahawks this season, and were very costly again on Thursday.
A pair of fumbles have proven costly in each of the past two Seahawks losses, and on Thursday the Seahawks once again were hurt by turnovers. On the opening drive of the game, the Seahawks were moving the ball well and were in 49ers territory when, under pressure, the usually accurate Geno Smith missed high on a pass intended for Tyler Lockett, resulting in an interception deep in 49ers territory that likely cost Seattle points.
In the second quarter, the 49ers were able to add three more points to their lead when Laviska Shenault Jr. fumbled a kick return, giving San Francisco a short field.
The Seahawks were able to claw their way back into the game despite those two turnovers, but a third, coming in the fourth quarter, proved to be the backbreaker. With the Seahawks trailing 23-17 and starting a drive deep in their own territory, Smith tried to hit DK Metcalf on a crossing route, but 49ers cornerback Renardo Green was able to undercut the route for the pick. That set up Brock Purdy's second touchdown pass of the night to tight end George Kittle, giving the 49ers a two-score lead.
The second interception was just part of what was a tough day for Smith, who has been so good this season, but who wasn't his usual sharp self in this one. Smith still threw for 312 yards and a touchdown to Tyler Lockett, but he missed several throws he normally makes, including the interceptions, and finished the game completing 30 of 52 passes, well below the 71.9 percent completion percentage he had coming into the game.
With those three turnovers, the Seahawks have now committed multiple turnovers in four of their six games, and have at least one turnover in five of six.
- Laviska Shenault Jr. made up for an earlier mistake in a big way.
The Seahawks signed Laviska Shenault Jr. in large part for his kick return ability, and the veteran receiver has been solid in that role so far this season. And Thursday's game proved to be an eventful one, both for good and bad reasons, for Shenault.
Shenault's day started off well with a 36-yard return on the game's opening kick, but his day took a rough turn in the second quarter when he fumbled on a kick return, having the ball punched out as he went to the ground, just before his knee was down, a turnover that led to a 49ers field goal. It was just the second lost fumble of Shenault's career and his first since 2021.
Shenault redeemed himself in a big way, however, in the third quarter, taking a kick return 97 yards for a touchdown. That score was Seattle's first touchdown of the game, and provided a big spark for a team that badly needed it, with the 49ers leading by 20 points at the time. A defensive stop and a long drive later, and the Seahawks were within one score of the 49ers late in the third quarter thanks in no small part to Shenault's big play.
- The Seahawks did indeed run the ball more.
A big topic of conversation leading up to this game was the Seahawks running game, and in particular, the lack of rushing attempts last week. In Sunday's loss to the Giants, the Seahawks had just seven rushing attempts by running backs, five for Kenneth Walker III and two for Zach Charbonnet.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb both acknowledged during the week that they needed to run the ball more, and the Seahawks did indeed come out running, with Walker carrying on the first two plays of the game, and with four of the first six plays all being rushes. The Seahawks did have to get more pass-happy in the second half playing from behind, but the final numbers showed a team that's looking to get back to being more balanced, with Walker carrying 14 times for 32 yards and a score while Charbonnet had five carries for 20 yards.
- Michael Dickson did Michael Dickson things.
While the Seahawks would love to have a game in which the offense does so well that they don't need to punt, it's nice to have one of the league's best punters when you do need it. And on Thursday, Michael Dickson was a big weapon when it came to flipping the field, averaging 54.0 yards per punt on his four punts, including two that were downed inside the 20.
Dickson's day included a 62-yard punt, a 57-yarder that was fair caught at the 6-yard line, and a 58-yarder to the 12-yard line that also included great coverage by Dee Williams who made the stop for no gain.
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Jerome Baker (17) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Jerome Baker (17) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Jarran Reed (90) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) and Seahawks center Connor Williams (57) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) and Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
