Seattle Seahawks 'Still Believe' Despite Demoralizing Loss to San Francisco 49ers

The Seattle Seahawks' offensive struggles continued in the 31-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

With a chance to capture the top spot in the race for the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks were dominated 31-13 by their bitter rival, the San Francisco 49ers, on Thanksgiving in a performance that didn't leave much to be thankful for.

In a performance where the Seahawks showed some signs of life in spurts, Thursday was another case of a top playoff-contending team outplaying Seattle for four quarters. 

The Niners came out hot, finishing four of their first seven possessions with points, while the Seahawks floundered, managing just a 51-yard field goal from Jason Meyers on their first possession of the first half. The Niners' 24-3 halftime lead provided shades of the Seahawks' blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, who took a 17-3 lead into halftime en route to a 37-3 win. over Seattle in Week 9.

"We have to find our consistency," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said about the slow start. "We're just not moving the ball steadily and have to find a way to do that. It's mixing the stuff we have and using the guys we have better than we have so far." 

The Seahawks' lone touchdown would come on a 12-yard pick-six from inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks as the Seattle defense gained momentum to start the second-half, trimming the deficit to 14 points. 

Nov 23, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field.  / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

However, following a three-and-out from the Niners on the ensuing possession, the Seattle offense only mustered a field goal. The 30-yard field goal from Meyers proved to be the final time that the Seahawks put points on the board as the San Francisco defense then forced a punt and a turnover on downs during Seattle's final two possessions.

The loss not only prompts more questions about whether the Seahawks have what it takes to catch the 49ers but even more will be asked about quarterback Geno Smith, who, despite denying that his tricep injury from last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams had any effect on his performance, recorded his second-worst quarterback rating of the season at 15.1. 

Smith completed 18 of his 27 passes for 180 yards with an interception in the loss, as the Seattle offense continued its struggles for consistency.  

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"I still believe in the guys that we have," Smith said following the Seahawks' fifth loss of the season. "Still believe in our coaches. Still believe in the players. I think it's been a tough stretch for us, but I believe things will turn around."

The Seahawks will hope to begin that turnaround with a win on the road against the Dallas Cowboys next Thursday. Kickoff inside AT&T Stadium is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. (PT).