The 49ers are on the ropes early - and it’s not just a slow start, it’s a full-blown first-quarter collapse.
With 1:50 still left in the opening quarter, San Francisco finds itself staring at a 17-0 deficit against a Seahawks team that came out swinging and hasn’t let up. From the opening kickoff, Seattle made it clear this wasn’t going to be a feel-it-out kind of game.
Rashid Shaheed wasted no time setting the tone, taking Eddy Pineiro’s kickoff 95 yards to the house. Just 13 seconds in, the Seahawks had a 7-0 lead, and the 49ers were already playing catch-up.
But the problems didn’t stop there for San Francisco. On their first offensive series, they faced a fourth-and-1 at the Seattle 40 - a gutsy spot to go for it, and one that typically signals confidence in your run game.
But that confidence was met by a brick wall in the form of DeMarcus Lawrence. The Seahawks’ edge rusher blew up the play, dropping fullback Kyle Juszczyk for a three-yard loss as he tried to bounce it outside.
The 49ers had initially called a pass, but a late timeout from Seattle reset the situation, and the Niners opted to pivot. That change didn’t pay off.
Seattle capitalized on the turnover on downs with a methodical 11-play, 44-yard drive, capped by a 31-yard field goal from Jason Myers. Just like that, it was 10-0, and the Seahawks had all the momentum.
San Francisco’s next drive showed some promise - until it didn’t. Tight end Jake Tonges hauled in an 11-yard pass from Brock Purdy, but before he could secure the ball, linebacker Ernest Jones punched it free. Safety Julian Love was there to scoop it up at the San Francisco 42, and once again, Seattle was in business.
Five plays later, the Seahawks cashed in. Sam Darnold found Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the back of the end zone for a four-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 17-0. And if there were any concerns about Darnold’s oblique injury, he’s putting them to rest early - he’s 5-of-7 for 46 yards and a touchdown, looking sharp and in control.
For the 49ers, it’s been a nightmare of a first quarter: a special teams breakdown, a failed fourth-down gamble, and a costly turnover - all leading directly to Seahawks points. They’ve got time to climb back into it, but right now, Seattle is dictating the pace, the tone, and the scoreboard.