The Seattle Seahawks sit atop the NFC West at 3-2 heading into this week's Thursday Night Football matchup with the San Francisco 49ers at 2-3. Seattle will be looking to not only protect home turf, but maintain a division lead over the struggling defending NFC champs. The 49ers blew a 13-point lead in last week's home loss to the Arizona Cardinals and have blown double-digit leads in two of their three losses.
Seattle was coming off a 29–20 loss to the Giants in which a potential game-tying field goal attempt was blocked and returned for a touchdown in the final minute.
The game could feature some passing fireworks, with Seattle's Geno Smith leading the NFL in passing yards and San Francisco's Brock Purdy tied for fourth. Smith also leads the NFL in pass attempts and is fourth in completion percentage.
On the injury front for Seattle, both defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins and wide receiver DK Metcalf are dealing with hand injuries but were full participants in practice this week. For San Francisco, safety Talano Hufanga missed practice with a wrist injury, as did kicker Jack Moody with an ankle injury. The 49ers signed veteran kicker Matthew Wright to fill in.
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Field Goal: The Niners fall short in the red zone, but still add to the lead
The Niners' red zone problems have been well-known this season and they came up short, settling for a 35-year-old field goal by Jake Moody's replacement Matthew Wright. They should probably be over 16 right now, but the Seahawks aren't exactly a threat.
Mason has 65 yards on eight carries tonight.
Oh, Niners running back Jordan Mason suffered an apparent injury after a 14-yard run. With Christian McCaffrey still out, the Niners have rookies Isaac Guerredo and Patrick Taylor Jr. at the back.
The Seahawks couldn't string a better drive together. They had two first downs in five offensive drives and gave the ball back to the Niners again.
Field goal: The Niners tack on three more points
The Seattle defense gets a much-needed stop, but field position means the Niners are now up 13-0.
With that TD reception, #49ers WR Dibo Samuel became the first WR in NFL history to join the 20-20 club.
Seahawks returner Loveska Chenault Jr. returned the kickoff to the 30, but the ball came loose and into the hands of the Niners. It's not going well for Seattle.
Touchdown: DeBeau Samuel runs away from the Seahawks defense
It only took one whiffed tackle to turn a DeBo Samuel catch into a 76-yard touchdown. It's 10-0 Niners.
And it's now 3-and-out for the Seahawks, with Fred Warner getting the big stop on third down. Without Metcalf playing, they averaged 2.1 yards per play.
And the Seahawks got the ball back after forcing a 49ers 3-and-out
The Seahawks punted after three straight passes to DK Metcalf fell incomplete.
The 49ers took over late in the 1st quarter.
49ers take lead with FG
Matthew Wright, signed this week to fill in for injured kicker Jack Moody, stalled in a long 49ers red zone as he hit from 25 yards out.
Niners lead 3-0.
After the 49ers grinded out a couple first downs, Jordan Mason broke free for a 38-yard run to get into scoring range. The drive began at SF's own 3-yard line.
49ers interception Geno Smith
This time on 3rd and long, Geno Smith is picked off by rookie safety Malik Mustafa.
Smith was trying to dip the ball to Tyler Lockett.
DK Metcalf with the first big play of the game, gained 30 yards on 3rd-and-7 to avoid a 3-and-out. Seattle is now in the San Francisco area.
The Niners started it and we started in Seattle. Geno Smith and the Seahawks
It's Seahawks throwback tonight, and they look good
