SEATTLE – In a fiercely contested Thursday night battle, the San Francisco 49ers emerged victorious against the Seattle Seahawks, claiming a 36-24 win and making a statement about their resilience despite numerous setbacks.
Leading up to the game, the 49ers stopped short of labeling it a “must-win,” but the stakes were clear. Sitting at 2-3 and winless in the NFC West, a defeat wouldn’t have sealed their fate, but it would have made their climb much steeper. Defensive end Nick Bosa, along with his teammates, acknowledged that this was as close to a pivotal game as you can get in Week 6.
With a wave of injuries, questionable officiating calls, and struggles in special teams, the 49ers sent a loud and clear message: they’re not ready to let their Super Bowl aspirations slip away.
Despite all the adversity, the Niners now find themselves tied with Seattle atop the division at 3-3, holding the crucial head-to-head tiebreaker. This gritty performance came despite the absence of cornerback Charvarius Ward, and mid-game injuries to key players like running back Jordan Mason (shoulder) and safety Malik Mustapha (ankle). Stars George Kittle and Deebo Samuel Sr. also had brief injury scares but managed to stay in the fight.
One of the night’s most bizarre moments came when 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan challenged a punt return that appeared to have touched Seahawks returner Dee Williams, which the 49ers recovered deep in Seattle territory. Despite TV replays showing otherwise, the officials upheld their decision, stating that they didn’t receive the enhanced replay footage in time. “The network didn’t send the enhanced shot until after the announcement,” said Mark Butterworth, VP of instant replay.
Though the 49ers should have closed the game out earlier, they’ve shown through six weeks that nothing will come easy this season. Yet Thursday’s performance proved they can handle the heat, even when the odds seem stacked against them.
QB Performance: Quarterback Brock Purdy faced relentless pressure but delivered when it mattered. Completing 18 of 28 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns, he orchestrated a composed and efficient performance with zero interceptions—a timely display of leadership the 49ers needed to secure the win.
Troubling Trend: Special teams continued to be a glaring issue for San Francisco, as has been the case since their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. After starting the second half with a commanding touchdown drive, they immediately surrendered a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, letting Seattle back into the game.
This follows a string of special teams blunders, including a fake punt that swung momentum in Week 3’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams and a kickoff return last week that resulted in an injury to kicker Jake Moody. With mounting concerns, the 49ers may need to rethink their special teams strategy soon before it costs them more games.
Silver Lining: Despite losing Mason and Ward, the 49ers turned to rookies Renardo Green and Isaac Guerendo, both of whom stepped up when needed. Green’s fourth-quarter interception of Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith helped extend the Niners’ lead, and Guerendo’s 76-yard burst with just over a minute left sealed the victory, ending Seattle’s comeback hopes.
Thursday night’s victory wasn’t without its flaws, but the 49ers proved once again that they’re battle-tested and ready for any challenge thrown their way.
