Game Breakdown: 49ers Defense Keys Convincing Win Over Seattle

There were many heroes in this win over the Seahawks.

The 49ers defense held the Seattle offense to just six points, shutting down Geno Smith and the Seahawks receivers to pave the way in a 31-13 win over Seattle.

Since adding Chase Young and Ambry Thomas to the starting lineup, moving Deommodore Lenoir to nickel, and playing more press-man coverage, the improvement in the 49ers defense has been dramatic.

Through eight games the 49ers had 18 sacks, they have 15 in their last three. In the last three games, the defense has given up only 23 points. The defense is hitting its stride just as the gauntlet of the 2023 schedule begins.

For the offense, a return to last year’s playoff win against Seattle, with Christian McCaffrey rushing for more than 100 yards and McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel doing most of the damage.

Like the defense, the offense appears to have found the right combination up front with the addition of Jon Felciano. The running game had success running left and right in this game. Brock Purdy was pressured but only sacked once.

Entering the biggest game of the year against Philadelphia, pieces are falling into place in the trenches, where the Eagles dominated in last year’s NFC Championship.

There were many heroes in this win over the Seahawks.

GAME BALLS

Charvarius Ward – He exorcised a demon of the past in D.K. Metcalf, who burned him in last year’s playoff game with ten catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns. This time, Metcalf had only three catches for 32 yards and no scores as Ward had multiple pass breakups. Ward’s confidence is brimming just before he faces another elite receiver in Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown.

Ambry Thomas and Steve Wilks – Wilks’ subtle hand in the improvement of the Niners secondary this year is starting to show itself. This could bring additional good news down the stretch if Darrell Luter Jr. and Samuel Womack take a leap as well.

Thomas had a key breakup and a pick as Seattle made him a focal point of their game plan. Thomas is playing with more confidence and is a different player than when he began the year.

Nick Bosa and Javon Hargrave – Bosa had his best game of the year with two sacks, two tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits. Hargrave had 1.5 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, two hits, and seven tackles. He also had a sack taken away on a penalty. Hargrave is back to peak form just before he returns to Philadelphia and will be highly motivated to take on his former teammates.

Christian McCaffrey – He continues to make a case for MVP, as McCaffrey controlled the game with 139 yards of total offense and two touchdowns. He continues to set team records, his 11 rushing touchdowns are the most by a 49ers running back in a single season.

McCaffrey has 16 TDs this year and is closing in on one of the team’s toughest records, most touchdowns in a season, Jerry Rice with 23 in 1987. McCaffrey is 61 yards away from 1,000 yards, the team rushing record is Frank Gore’s 1,695 in 2006.

LESSONS FROM THE GAME

Brock Purdy continues to progress. With the game potentially back in doubt he led a six-play 64-yard drive, threading the needle among four defenders to hit Brandon Aiyuk for the game-sealing touchdown.

The question is asked whether Purdy can lead the team from behind, that drive applied similar pressure. A score was needed and Purdy delivered.

The interception was a throw he shouldn’t have made, sometimes it’s best to take the sack, particularly inside the 20 or inside the red zone. His decision-making will continue to improve with game reps.

The 49ers now have a 96% chance to win the NFC West. This is according to a graphic shown in-game by NBC. Complete a sweep of Seattle in two weeks and the Niners should create a bye for themselves in the final week. The division will be wrapped up and the starters can sit out the regular season finale against the Rams.

However, the 2nd and 3rd seeds for the NFC playoffs could still be in doubt in the final week. In that case, the Niners would play the starters in the final week to go after the No. 2 seed and home field in the divisional round.

Detroit kept to tradition and lost for the seventh straight year on Thanksgiving. The Niners have the No. 2 seed in the NFC at the moment, due to a 6-1 conference record to the Lions’ 5-2.

Attention now moves to the matchup in Philadelphia on December 3rd. The Eagles did show vulnerabilities against Kansas City that did not exist last year.

The Niners have improved in the trenches on both ends and the defense is taking shape at just the right time. Last year I was certain the Eagles would win the NFC Championship Game. Entering this game, the Niners have a shot. Unlike last year it is possible, but will require the Niners' best game of the year and something they haven’t shown often: 60-minute football.

I’ll break the game down in-depth next week.