Seahawks vs. 49ers: Offense inept, defense overpowered in 27-7 loss for Seattle

The Seattle Seahawks (1-1) shocked many when they bested the Denver Broncos in Russell Wilson’s return to Lumen Field. But their road opener against the San Francisco 49ers (1-1)? Horrific. A 27-7 loss that wasn’t even that close.

Seattle’s offense has now gone six straight quarters without an offensive touchdown, as Geno Smith and company could never get going against a fearsome 49ers defense. Only 210 yards of total offense and both Smith and DeeJay Dallas (!!) threw interceptions. Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Walker III were held to a combined 25 yards on 10 carries, while Smith could barely complete a pass more than 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Tyler Lockett was one of the few bright spots with over 100 yards receiving on the afternoon.

The Seahawks’ only touchdown was a blocked field goal return by Michael Jackson after Tariq Woolen stormed through and blocked Robbie Gould. The defense was gashed for 189 yards rushing and really struggled early on before playing with some level of improvement in the 2nd half.

Unfortunately, this game did have a horrible injury suffered by 49ers quarterback Trey Lance. An awkward hit in the opening quarter resulted in a right ankle injury that is expected to end his season. He was carted off the field with an air cast placed on his right leg. All the best to Trey as he recovers from such a devastating injury.

1st Quarter

The 49ers got the ball first and had no problem marching down the field with their rushing attack, which mixed in Jeff Wilson Jr, Tyrion Davis-Price, and of course quarterback Trey Lance. As has been the theme for the Seahawks defense this early in the season and much of last year, it was the red zone where they tightened up and forced the 49ers into a field goal, which Robbie Gould converting. 3-0 49ers.

Geno Smith’s first series was not like last week’s. The only first down was a run up the middle by rookie Kenneth Walker III. After that, they were stopped on 3rd and 5 and punted away.

Deebo Samuel broke through for a 52-yard run after just about breaking the ankles of Darrell Taylor and bursting into the secondary. A couple of plays later, Trey Lance took a heavy hit on a designed run, as both Cody Barton and Bryan Mine converged on him. He was down, in pain, and replaced by Jimmy Garoppolo. He was carted off the field with an apparent lower leg injury. An air cast was on his right leg and you just feel so much for him. Garoppolo came in and could not keep the chains moving and the 49ers settled for 3 more. 6-0 49ers.

2nd Quarter

Once again, the Seahawks could only muster up one first down and then stalled once Kenneth Walker III got in the game. A second punt for Michael Dickson in as many possessions. Jimmy Garoppolo stepped in and just diced up a poor Seahawks defense on his way to a 38-yard TD to tight end Ross Dwelley. George who? Not needed. 13-0 49ers.

Geno’s response was to throw an interception to Tashaun Gipson on a deflected pass.

The 49ers could not capitalize on great field position, as they went for it on 4th and 8 at the Seattle 39 and the deep ball to Danny Gray was almost intercepted by Quandre Diggs. A turnover on downs instead of kicking a field goal or taking a delay of game to punt it.

DK Metcalf thought he had an amazing catch on a trick play double pass, but Abe Lucas was illegally downfield. What a heartbreaker because this was a fantastic grab.

Smith was picked a second time but the officials flagged Emmanuel Moseley for pass interference, which looked pretty shaky but nevertheless put the Seahawks into 49ers territory. Geno hit a beautiful throw on the run to Tyler Lockett to get the Seahawks into the red zone.

Then this stupidity happened. Shane Waldron, never with this again.

Thankfully the 49ers punted after that. Unthankfully, Tyler Lockett got run into by his own teammate Xavier Crawford, who was blocked into him but with no flag. So this became a fumble. Three turnovers by the Seahawks. This one led to a Kyle Juszczyk touchdown. 20-0 49ers.

3rd Quarter

Three-and-out to start the 2nd half? Yeah, sure. The Seahawks just looked so discombobulated and disjointed on both sides of the ball. San Francisco continued to get whatever they want against a very vulnerable Seahawks defensive unit. Once again they went into the red zone, but again the Seahawks tightened up. A bad snap on 3rd and goal led to a 20-yard field goal attempt by Robbie Gould... which was BLOCKED! Tariq Woolen with the block and Michael Jackson with the scoop and score. That’s how you end a shutout! 20-7 49ers.

Just when it looked like the 49ers had been forced into a three-and-out, an illegal contact penalty on Coby Bryant extended the series. It wouldn’t go for much longer as the Seahawks defense held firm even without showing much of a pass rush. The offense of course went three-and-out again.

4th Quarter

If you expected the Seahawks offense to score points... hahahahahahaha. San Francisco killed a lot of clock and then got another touchdown for good measure. Jimmy Garoppolo scored on a QB sneak at the 1-yard line on 4th and goal. 27-7 49ers FINAL.

Seahawks Injury Report

Defensive tackle/end Shelby Harris left the game in the 1st quarter with a glute injury. He did not return.

Left guard Damien Lewis suffered a thigh injury in the 2nd quarter and did not return.

Next Week’s Opponent

The Seahawks return home to Lumen Field for a meeting with the NFC South’s Atlanta Falcons (0-2) on Sunday, September 25th at 1:25 PM PT on FOX.