Seattle Seahawks (7-7) – San Francisco 49ers (10-4): 13-21
After the ecstasy of a dream debut, Brock Purdy stood up this Thursday against rival Seattle. The challenge of the match, if one were needed: a qualification in the playoffs in the event of victory of the visitors, or the Seahawks 1 game from the head of the division in the opposite case. If Mister Irrelevant was clean without being brilliant, the Californian defense still splashed with its talent the meeting to stifle the attack of the residents of Lumen Field.
San Francisco opportunistic, Seattle not
In the first period, the two attacks struggled to find their rhythm: 13 possessions combined, which gave birth to 9 punts. On a nice (double) fake pass, Brock Purdy (17/26, 217 yards, 2 TD) nevertheless manages to find a lonely George Kittle (4 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TD) for a touchdown. Later, Purdy was lucky to see safety Quandre Diggs drop a ready-made interception.
As a symbol, on the next possession, the Californian defense does not let it pass its chance and causes a fumble on Travis Homer, back up to 5 opposing yards and transformed into a touchdown by the attack a few seconds later. In the second half, Geno Smith (31/44, 238 yards, 1 TD) passes near the correctional seeing his interception canceled for yet another questionable Roughing The Skip.
McCaffrey-addiction
San Francisco’s lucky charm since its acquisition (7 wins in a row), Christian McCaffrey is still all good shots: 26 races, 108 yards, 1 TD, 6 receptions, 30 yards. If his success sometimes borders on insolence, his use borders on overdose, especially for a player with such a significant injury liability: 20 of the 29 actions played in the first period are runs (13) or passes (7) towards from CMC.
It is caricatural, but the Seahawks (28th defense against the run in yards per carried) are simply unable to adjust, even knowing the recipient of the ball. Back from the locker room, SF scores a touchdown to lead 21-3. Kyle Shanahan’s team then struggles to run the clock and control possession, a classic.
With this victory, the 49ers are therefore officially winners of the NFC West, and solid 3rd in the NFC. With new missteps from the Vikings, the Red and Gold can even aim for second place, synonymous with several home games. The Seahawks, them, remain mathematically in the race, but see their task to be complicated: In front, except draw, Washington or New York (which clash) will be with 8-5-1, that is to say 2 games in advance. Behind, the Lions (6-7) have the opportunity to return to Seattle level this Sunday against the Jets.
