Seattle Seahawks Drop to 49ers 36-24: Missed Opportunities and Key Takeaways

The Seattle Seahawks’ 36-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers marks their third consecutive defeat, highlighting critical errors and missed opportunities that have pushed them out of first place in the NFC West after a promising 3-0 start to the season.

A Struggling Offense and Defensive Setbacks

It has been a rough stretch for the Seahawks, who, after a fast start to the year, seem to be faltering in critical moments. Thursday night’s loss underscored this as the 49ers took full advantage, with quarterback Brock Purdy throwing for 255 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, San Francisco’s rushing attack piled up 228 yards, further exposing Seattle’s defensive shortcomings.

Geno Smith, Seattle’s quarterback, had his moments but struggled with consistency. He finished the game with 312 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 52 attempts, most of which came while playing from behind. Despite these statistics, Smith acknowledged the team’s lack of execution, saying, “Not starting fast. Not executing. That’s the main thing, not executing. Lack of execution… We failed to do that today.” His words mirrored the team’s performance, as crucial drives fell short of their potential.

Missed Connections and Turnovers

A key turning point in the game came when Smith, attempting to mount a comeback, threw his second interception after DK Metcalf ran a questionable route, allowing 49ers’ Renardo Green to make a crucial play. Metcalf’s misstep wasn’t the only problem, however, as the Seahawks seemed out of sync on multiple occasions.

Another critical moment arose when Seattle failed to capitalize on a possible turnover. A challenge by 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan nearly awarded San Francisco possession after officials ruled that Devon Witherspoon pushed a defender into the Seahawks’ player, Williams. Though the call stood, video evidence later showed the ball had indeed hit Williams’ finger, a mistake that cost Seattle dearly.

Special teams also contributed to the Seahawks’ struggles. Two punts were downed inside their own 10-yard line, and a miscommunication between Williams and Shenault on a kickoff return left them starting a drive at the 10. These miscues were further compounded by memories of last week’s blocked field goal and Williams’ earlier muffed punt against Denver.

While there were some bright spots, like Williams making a solid tackle on a punt return, the special teams’ errors over the past six weeks have played a significant role in Seattle’s shaky performances. This unit, which could be a source of stability, instead continues to be a source of concern.

Looking Ahead

For the Seahawks, the road ahead requires a sharp turnaround. Coach Macdonald emphasized the importance of staying within reach in games, saying, “This is the third game in a row you’re behind, so you’ve got to chuck it in the second half. Defensively and as a team we have to be in these games within a score in the second half so we’re not having to drop back that much.”

As they work to regain their early season form, Seattle must address these execution gaps, both offensively and defensively. With hopes of climbing back in the NFC West standings, they can’t afford to let missed opportunities and repeated mistakes define the rest of their season.