SEATTLE — Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith delivered in one of many season’s greatest moments and boosted Seattle to a much-needed victory over the rival San Francisco 49ers.
Smith’s 13-yard landing run with 12 seconds left gave Seattle a 20-17 victory on Sunday, its first win over San Francisco since 2021. The veteran had 54 passing yards and 29 speeding yards on the ultimate drive to assist the up-and-down Seahawks (5-5) finish a two-game skid.
Whereas it wasn’t Smith’s finest statistical efficiency of the season, with 221 passing yards with no touchdowns, it was probably the most satisfying win. Smith had gone 0-5 in opposition to the 49ers in his Seahawks profession.
“These are the most important games of your season,” Smith mentioned. “I think the way that we came out and we fought, collectively as a unit and as a team, it just spoke to our urgency. I thought the way that we practiced all week, I knew we were going to come out and play well and get the monkey off my back. I didn’t feel it at all. There is no monkey on my back.”
The Seahawks’ offensive line put up a robust efficiency after a tumultuous week that noticed the retirement of veteran heart Connor Williams, whereas additionally that includes the long-awaited return of proper sort out Abe Lucas.
On protection, Seattle did sufficient to drag out a probably season-saving win by holding Brock Purdy to a season-low 159 passing yards and protecting the Niners from breaking off the large runs that have been key to their vitory at Seattle in October.
What’s working
The protection made massive strides in opposition to the 49ers, who had one of many NFL’s finest passing assaults with a mean of 262.8 yards per recreation. With tight finish George Kittle (hamstring) inactive, Purdy struggled to discover a rhythm.
Boye Mafe had two go breakups, whereas Devon Witherspoon had three to associate with eight tackles. The Seahawks hit Purdy 4 instances whereas sacking him twice.
San Francisco receiver Jauan Jennings had an enormous day with 10 catches for 91 yards and a landing, however Purdy struggled to seek out different open receivers downfield.
Within the operating recreation, the Seahawks held Christian McCaffrey to 4.2 yards per carry with a future of 11 yards. Seattle didn’t enable a rush longer than 13 yards.
“We played complimentary football,” Witherspoon mentioned. “We never gave up, even when things started to take a turn. We always have each other’s backs out there. So I think being together, staying together as a football team, knowing it’s only us, it’s us against them. That got us through this.”
What wants assist
The Seahawks’ run recreation nonetheless wants to enhance. Kenneth Walker III completed with 54 yards on 14 carries, a 3.9-yard common, with a protracted of 11 yards.
Walker has the explosiveness to interrupt off massive runs, however hasn’t gotten the probabilities to make a huge impact in coordinator Ryan Grubb’s offense. With the offensive line displaying enchancment on Sunday with Lucas and heart Olu Oluwatimi each beginning, Walker might see his stats enhance over the subsequent a number of weeks.
Fill up
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues to shine, following up his profession recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams with one other massive efficiency. Smith-Njigba had 10 catches for 110 yards in opposition to San Francisco and continues to offer an explosive possibility for Smith alongside a newly wholesome DK Metcalf.
“Jaxon’s such a special player,” Smith mentioned. “His confidence is growing and he can do so many great things out there. He’s got such a feel for the game. He knows how to play and he’s so young, but he’s a professional in every sense of the word. I think as long as he continues to work the way that he does, he’s got a tremendous future. I think he can be one of the best in this game.”
Inventory down
WR Tyler Lockett has been quiet the previous few weeks whereas Smith-Njigba has put up massive numbers. Lockett had two catches on three targets for 19 yards on Sunday. He had three catches for 63 yards in opposition to the Rams and one catch for 9 yards in Week 8 in opposition to Buffalo.
By 10 video games, Lockett is averaging 47.5 receiving yards per recreation, which might be his lowest since 2017. He hasn’t had greater than 4 receptions in a recreation since Week 4.
Accidents
WR/KR Laviska Shenault Jr. left the sport with an indirect harm, whereas CB/KR Dee Williams exited with an ankle concern.
Key quantity: 4
The Seahawks have the third-most penalties within the NFL this season with 78, however tallied a season-low 4 penalties for 20 yards on Sunday.
Up subsequent
The Seahawks host one other NFC West rival, the division-leading Arizona Cardinals, this weekend.