49ers vs. Seahawks: Late turnover dooms San Francisco’s upset bid as Seattle rolls
The 49ers looked like they were going to surprise the playoff-bound Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
But the NFC West champions scored touchdowns on three straight series in the fourth quarter to pull off the come-from-behind victory over San Francisco, 26-23, behind a strong final frame from quarterback Russell Wilson and two touchdowns from talented receiver Tyler Lockett.
The 49ers had a 16-6 lead early in the fourth quarter when Jeff Wilson Jr. scored a seven-yard touchdown, but the home team couldn’t match Seattle’s late scoring without a slew of key players such as receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, left tackle Trent Williams and, of course, starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
C.J. Beathard put together four straight scoring drives from the second quarter to early in the fourth, but three of them were field goals from new kicker Tristan Vizcaino. San Francisco made it a three-point game with a late touchdown from Wilson, but they couldn’t get the onside kick inside the final minute.
The 49ers managed more yardage than Seattle and converted more third downs, but their inability to score touchdowns instead of field goals, and the defense’s inability to stop the Seahawks in the fourth quarter, doomed them as they dropped to 6-10 on the season.
Here’s our rundown of the game.
First quarter
The game started out as a defensive struggle. The first four combined possessions included four punts, just two first downs and 42 total yards.
The Seahawks moved past midfield for the first time on their third series and got in scoring range when Wilson found running back Chris Carson for a 29-yard gain down the left sideline. But the drive stalled after star wideout D.K. Metcalf dropped a pass on a third-down slant route, leading to a 36-yard field goal to give Seattle a 3-0 lead with 2:09 remaining in the opening frame.
The 49ers failed to cross midfield in the first quarter as Beathard and the rest of the offense struggled. The third-string signal-caller completed two of his first five throws for just six yards. Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. managed 16 yards on five carries.
Russell Wilson in the first quarter: 11-for-16, 55 yards. He had the advantage in passer rating, 68.4 to 47.9.
Second quarter
The Seahawks got back into 49ers’ territory thanks to Tyler Lockett’s fifth catch of the early going and Metcalf converting a third-and-short that set Seattle’s team record for receiving yards. Lockett and Metcalf became Seattle’s first receiving duo to hit 1,000 yards in the same season. Lockett also set the team record for catches with his 95th on the season.
But the drive stalled, again, and the Seahawks settled for a 30-yard field goal, making it 6-0. Seattle, at this point, ran 28 plays to just 12 for San Francisco. Beathard on the next series scrambled for a 7-yard gain and was hit out of bounds by former 49ers defensive back D.J. Reed, who helped Beathard up. Beathard took a sack on the next play, forcing a fourth consecutive punt.
Beathard had more rushing yards (14) than passing (6). The 49ers got the ball back thanks to a third-down sack from linebacker Fred Warner, the first of the year for the first-time Pro Bowler.
The 49ers finally got into Seahawks’ territory when Beathard hit Richie James Jr. for a 45-yard gain on third-and-14, more than doubling up the team’s yardage. Beathard went on a run completing all six of his throws on the drive before defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap batted Beathard’s pass at the line of scrimmage, setting up new kicker Tristan Vizcaino’s first NFL field goal attempt.
The snap from new long snapper Colin Holba was high, but the 36-yard attempt was good, cutting Seattle’s lead to 6-3.
Third quarter
San Francisco’s opening series of the second half was aided by a roughing the passer on defensive lineman L.J. Collier. The 49ers were forced to settle for another field goal after Kittle dropped a long pass from Beathard in scoring territory. Beathard appeared to have Ross Dwelley for a possible touchdown on the play, but went the other way to the All-Pro.
Vizcaino drilled the attempt for 47 yards out, tying the game at 6.
Ahkello Witherspoon continued his strong end to the season by breaking up a third-down pass to Metcalf and had an animated flexing celebration in Metcalf’s face afterwards. It capped a three-and-out following the tying field goal. Little-used receiver River Cracraft returned the punt 21-yards to Seattle’s 49-yard line.
George Kittle made the play of the game on the first play of the next possession when he made a highlight reel one-handed catch for 41 yards that set up first and goal.
But the 49ers had to settle for a third field goal attempt when Beathard missed a wide open Kittle all alone in the end zone when he decided to throw to a covered receiver underneath. Beathard took a third-down sack, setting up the 33-yard attempt from Vizcaino. He drilled it, giving San Francisco a 9-6 lead.
The 49ers defense continued to play well and forced a second straight three-and-out to open the second half. Their next drive got going with a 27-yard connection to receiver Kendrick Bourne. Kyle Shanahan bypassed a chance to kick a 55-yard field goal and instead opted to go for it on fourth-and-3 with Beathard finding Bourne again for 11 yards.
The Seahawks managed just 3 yards of offense and no first downs during their two possessions in the third quarter.
Fourth quarter
The 49ers capped their impressive 73-yard drive with running back Jeff Wilson Jr.’s team-leading ninth touchdown of the season. It came on a 7-yard run right through the middle of Seattle’s defense. It gave San Francisco a 16-6 lead.
The Seahawks started to move the ball on their next possession with Wilson getting into field goal range on just four plays. Tight end Will Dissly got tot he 7-yard line on a 20-yard catch and run through the left side of the defense.
The drive ended with Lockett catching his ninth touchdown pass of the year. He got behind Warner, who was flagged for holding on the play. Wilson evaded a sack from Kerry Hyder, extended the play and found a diving Lockett in a tight window in the middle of the field. But Seattle missed the extra point, making it a four-point game, 16-12.
The 49ers could not extend their streak of four straight drives with points and punted back to Seattle, who started at their own 15. The Seahawks drove effectively, getting a first-and-goal at the 10-yard line on the 10th play of the drive inside the four-minute mark.
After a third-down incompletion thanks to strong coverage from Jason Verrett, the Seahawks went for it on fourth down, and Wilson found Lockett on a misdirection crossing route to the left, beating Witherspoon, and giving Seattle a three-point lead with 2:20 remaining. It was Lockett’s 12th catch of the day.
The 49ers didn’t get a chance to tie the game. Instead, backup left tackle Justin Skule, replacing Pro Bowler Trent Williams, let Benson Mayoma beat him outside and strip Beathard and recover the fumble at San Francisco’s 17-yard line.
The Seahawks put the game out of reach four plays later with an 8-yard touchdown run from reserve running back Alex Collins made it 26-16.
Wilson’s touchdown, his 10th of the season, came from 3 yards out. He finished with 20 runs for 76 yards.
This story was originally published January 3, 2021 at 2:44 PM.
