With the Seahawks driving on the first possession of the game, Geno Smith, one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the game, unleashed a third-down pass under pressure towards Tyler Lockett. The ball sailed over the head of Lockett where 49ers safety Malik Mustapha was able to secure an interception.
In a season full of impressive throws, it was a rare one that got away from Smith, and it was the beginning of a tough night for the Seahawks in the turnover department.
Thanks in no small part to a trio of turnovers, the Seahawks fell 36-24 to the 49ers, their third consecutive loss to drop to 3-3 for the season.
That early interception ended a promising drive that appeared destined to produce points, and the 49ers were able to turn it into a field goal. In the second quarter, Laviska Shenault Jr. fumbled a kick return, setting up another field goal, then in the fourth quarter with the Seahawks trying to finish off an impressive comeback, Smith was intercepted again trying to hit DK Metcalf on a crosser.
"We have to win the takeaway differential," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "That's a team stat… Obviously we're not emphasizing it enough. That's the starting point. The guys know that. I mean, add that to the list of things we have to attack. But we can't be giving the ball to the other team. We have to be playing more precise."
With three more turnovers tonight, the Seahawks now have 10 this season, and have committed multiple turnovers in five of six games. But the offense isn't the only part of the equation; Seattle's defense, which had three takeaways in the season opener, only has one in the last five games, and did not have one on Thursday. That has left the Seahawks at minus-six in turnover differential, which as Macdonald noted, is hardly a winning formula.
"It's probably the single handedly, biggest thing that hurt our football team," Macdonald said. "We have to take care of the ball better. Practice it better. You get what you emphasize and apparently we're not emphasizing that enough. Shoot, that's my responsibility."
While a lot can factor into interceptions, from pressure on the quarterback to the receiver and quarterback not quite being on the same page, Smith has never been one to spread around blame when things aren't going well.
"It was an interception, man," he said of when asked about his second interception. "We all saw it. Bad play by me."
Macdonald, however, was quick to stand by his quarterback, who has been outstanding through five games, and who, even on what wasn't his best night, still did a lot of great things, including leading the offense on two long second-half touchdown drives to cut the lead to one score each time, including a 94-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter.
"Look, at the end of the day, we put ourselves in position after being in a massive hole if we got a stop to go down and score," Macdonald said. "Geno is playing really good football for us. I know he threw the two picks, but we've got faith in Geno. He's going to bounce back, thought he played a good football game."
And while the offense knows it needs to start taking better care of the ball, the defense knows it also needs to hold up its end of the bargain in the turnover department.
"We got to get more turnovers," safety Julian Love said. "I have to get more turnovers for this defense. I think that's just it. We will work it, obviously, in practice and the ball will come to life, and once it does, they come in bunches. It's a positive mindset, it's an attacking mindset. I think guys were attacking that ball today, and we've just got to come up with it."
Seahawks players warm up for their Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Trevis Gipson (50) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and center Connor Williams (57) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald prior to the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks safety K'Von Wallace (24) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) warms up for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
