Maiocco’s Observations: 49ers escape with win vs. Seahawks on TNF initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bay Space
SEATTLE — That is ridiculous.
The 49ers proved, as soon as once more, they can not have good issues.
Good issues, on this case, imply seemingly snug second-half leads in opposition to division opponents.
However a rookie and a few their big-time gamers got here by within the clutch to stop one other embarrassing defeat.
Rookie cornerback Renardo Inexperienced intercepted Geno Smith, who gave the impression to be on the verge of main the Seattle Seahawks to an enormous comeback victory. And Brock Purdy and George Kittle teamed up for his or her second landing of the sport, because the 49ers held on for a 36-24 victory on Thursday.
Coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers have turned blowing double-digit leads into an artwork type. And it seemed as in the event that they have been effectively on their approach towards doing it once more till some late-game heroics.
In fact, it was a lot too early within the season for this to be thought-about a must-win sport.
However that’s how the 49ers selected to method their Week 6 sport in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks.
The 49ers performed with urgency and set the tone from the start however they might not maintain the momentum going for 4 quarters.
San Francisco entered the sport winless in opposition to NFC West opponents, shedding to the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals. They blew double-digit second-half leads in each of these losses. The 49ers entered the week 0-3 in opposition to the NFC.
Listed here are three takeaways from the 49ers’ Week 6 matchup in opposition to the Seahawks:
Pink zone issues, resolution
The 49ers put collectively fairly a game-opening drive after taking up on the 3-yard line after an interception.
However the collection ended as many others have for the 49ers this season.
The 49ers acquired into the crimson zone after which stalled.
Matthew Wright, filling in for injured Jake Moody, linked on a 25-yard subject objective.
The 49ers entered as one of many worst red-zone groups within the league after being the perfect within the NFL a 12 months in the past.
They lastly figured it out early within the third quarter when Purdy made a outstanding throw to Kittle in opposition to tight protection. Kittle, who celebrated his thirty first birthday Wednesday, made the catch and expertly acquired each toes inbounds for a 10-yard landing.
The pair teamed up once more within the fourth quarter to increase the 49ers’ lead with a 9-yard scoring hookup.
Purdy accomplished 18 of 28 passes for 255 yards with three touchdowns and nil interceptions within the sport. His passer score was 129.3.
The 49ers went 0-for-2 within the crimson zone within the first half.
The 49ers discovered a novel solution to keep away from their crimson zone points early within the second quarter when Purdy hit Deebo Samuel for a 76-yard landing.
Purdy acquired the go to Purdy deep down the sector earlier than Seattle security Julian Love might vary over. Samuel escaped the grasp of Love, then outran Boye Mafe en path to the tip zone.
The 49ers settled for one more quick subject objective after one other red-zone failure close to the tip of the primary half.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk was dumped for a 3-yard loss on a display screen go from Purdy on a third-and-11 play when left guard Aaron Banks was not capable of get out to dam Seattle linebacker Jerome Baker.
One other special-teams blunder
Particular groups have been an journey for the 49ers this season.
They usually discovered yet one more approach on Thursday night time to offer their opponent a large jolt of momentum.
This time, the 49ers surrendered solely the second landing within the NFL this season beneath their new kickoff format.
On the time, the 49ers had a 20-point lead. The Seahawks ended up charging proper again into the sport.
Laviska Shenault, who earlier within the sport turned it over to the 49ers on a fumbled kick return, discovered a gap and took it 97 yards for a landing.
Jalen Graham had the perfect probability to cease Shenault however solely put a shoulder on him and didn’t wrap up as he blasted by the primary wave of would-be tacklers.
As much as that time, the Seahawks had managed simply three factors and trailed 23-3 and appeared to have little probability.
The kick return for a landing is simply one other huge play the 49ers have surrendered on particular groups this season.
In a loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the 49ers gave up a blocked punt that led to a landing. The next week, the Rams transformed a faux punt and had a protracted punt return to contribute vastly to their come-from-behind victory over the 49ers. The 49ers additionally misplaced a fumble on a kickoff in opposition to the New England Patriots.
Mustapha excels, injured in second begin
Rookie security Malik Mustapha made a substantial affect in his second NFL begin earlier than leaving the sport late within the first half with an ankle damage.
He didn’t return, and now his standing for future weeks is in severe query.
Whereas he was on the market, Mustapha excelled.
The Seahawks drove down the sector with out a lot resistance on the primary collection of the sport earlier than Mustapha was in place to provide you with a takeaway deep in 49ers territory.
Mustapha gathered in quarterback Gino Smith’s overthrow on a go supposed for Tyler Lockett on the 2-yard line. His momentum carried him out of bounds after a 1-yard return.
Mustapha confirmed the flexibility to play deep in protection and he additionally made a mark near the road of scrimmage when he was partly answerable for a first-half three-and-out when he stopped Seahawks operating again Kenneth Walker III for a 3-yard loss on a first-down operating try.
Mustapha, a fourth-round draft decide from Wake Forest, figures to be within the beginning lineup for some time.
The 49ers positioned security Talanoa Hufanga on injured reserve this week because of torn ligaments in his proper wrist. Hufanga will miss at the very least 4 video games.
George Odum changed Mustapha and made a pleasant play deep down the sector within the second half to interrupt up a possible huge play to DK Metcalf.
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