In week 6 of the NFL season the San Fransisco 49ers traveled to Seattle to take on the Seahawks.  The 49ers entered the game on a 5-game winning streak against the Seahawks.  Unlike their streak against the Rams, this streak would continue as the Niners knocked off Seattle 36-24.  Let’s check out what went right and what went wrong on Thursday Night Football. 

Hmm.  Where should we start?  Oh I know, let’s start with injuries.  Unlike last week, this week the 49ers came into the game with two new injury as Talanoa Hufanga received ligament damage in his wrist last week and will miss about a month.  His replacement, Malik Mustapha, injured his ankle in the first half and missed the rest of the game.  The Niners second new injury was also to the secondary as Charvarius Ward was ruled out this week with a knee injury.  League leading rusher Jordan Mason sprained his AC joint just before the half and was only on the field for one play in the second half.  Both Mustapha and Mason are Day-to-Day. It will never happen, but I would love to see what this roster looked like completely healthy. 

The offense looked as good as it has all season.  The offensive line had its best game as they surrounded no sacks and Purdy had plenty of time to throw from a clean pocket most of the game.  The running game was exceptional as well as Mason averaged 8.1 yards per carry and was actually out done by Isaac Guerendo who averaged 9.9 yards per carry including the 76-yard run (that could have been a TD but he slid down at the end to keep the clock running) to seal the victory.  Even including Purdy’s kneel down, the 49ers averaged 6.9 yards per carry.  I would say the O-Line did its job this week.  I didn’t even notice McKivits getting beat at all in this one. But then I was also watching the Yankee game at the same time.  

Purdy had another solid game.  He completed 64% of his passes, which is up from his last two outings.  He continues to make big plays with his feet, even on a day like this where he wasn’t under too much pressure.  Something I really liked to see that may have also limited Purdy’s running in this one was that he was checking down to his running backs when he needed to.  Without CMC on the field, Purdy hasn’t been doing much checking down this season, instead he would buy time behind the line and continue to look to push the ball down field.  In this one he dumped it off and let the backs gain a few yards and take the hits.  The backs combined for 5 catches for 31 yards.  It’s not a lot but I feel it’s a big thing for them going forward. 

This week was Deebo Samuel’s turn to have the big receiving numbers with 102 yards and a TD.  Although, I would say George Kittle had the best day out of the pass catcher as he caught 2 TDs in the red zone, something the 49ers have struggled with all season, the second one being rather impressive.  The Niners went 3 for 5 in the red zone this week which is so much better than they have been so far this season.  It really shouldn’t come as a surprise that Kittle is emerging as their go to guy when they get down there.  

The defense had a very good game as well as the offense.  They held the Seachickens (come on, I had to use it at least once) to only 17 points, I’ll get to the other 7 points in a bit.  The run defense I felt was better in this one.  They only gave up 2.6 yards per carry and didn’t feel like Seattle was getting the 3 plus yards on every first down as was happening in the past.  Seattle did only run the 20 times and one of those was an unsuccessful QB sneak. 

The Niners were able to get some good pressure rushing just their 4 down linemen.  They had only one sack but they forced some bad throws by Geno Smith and intercepted two passes, the second one came midway through the 4^th quarter as Seattle was driving to take the lead.  The subsequent TD made it a 2-score game again.  Both INTs were made by rookies as Mustapha grabbed the first one to end the opening drive of the game and Renardo Green made a nice play to pick off the second one.  Rookies have been thrust into playing time a lot this season for the Niners and for the most part, they have played great.  Mustapha, Green, and Geurendo all had big games today.  Puni has been as good as can be at right guard, and Tatum Bathune has played well on special teams even recovering a fumble on a kickoff in this one.   

And that brings us to the Special Teams.  As I mentioned, they made a huge play with the fumble recovery in the first quarter.  I foolishly assumed this could be a turnaround for them.  However, it’s wasn’t long before the Niners Special Teams reared their ugly head and allowed a 97-yard kick off return that again let the other team back in the game and gave them tons of momentum.  Luckily, the Niners were able to recover from this one.  Another thing only the 49ers could do is to lose two kickers in consecutive week.  On their last kickoff, Matt Wright, who filled in nicely for Moody, was forced to make a tackle and dislocated his shoulder.  He’s currently awaiting MRI results.  It will be something if the Niners have to sign a new kicker in consecutive weeks.  No matter who is kicking, the Niners really have to fix their kick coverage, or sign someone who can kick the ball a country mile and make return coverage obsolete.

Ok speaking of kick returns, let’s get to the referees.  When the 49ers, or any other of my teams, lose because of the refs and I complain, people call me a cry baby and say only losers blame the refs and make the ridiculous argument that the refs don’t affect the outcomes of games.  So, I like to complain about the refs when my team wins so that these dumb arguments are null and void.  (quick aside, it’s nice that everyone else is coming around to realizing the refs help KC win every game, it’s about time).  With that said, how on earth can anyone with eyes say that the punt at the end of the 3^rd quarter was not touched by the Seattle punt returner?  It was clear as day under replay.  You could see the ball hit the players hand and his fingers bend back.  Can you bend your fingers back without them being pushed by something?  I sure as hell can’t.  I don’t understand how anyone who wasn’t trying to help Seattle win or at least keep the game close so people will continue to watch could rule it was inconclusive. 

Seriously. Look at that and tell me it didn’t hit his hand. It could not be more clearer. To me this would have been a point for the 49ers to protest the game if they had lost.  It’s an absolute joke.  At some point somebody has to be held responsible for stuff like this.  Especially with sports betting now being legalized.  When the refs do something as blatant as this, it could cost people money and there should be consequences to it.  Mind you, I have no problem with the call in real time.  However, to sat the replay was inconclusive shows either the people who make the ruling are either incompetent to the point where they need to be relieved of their duties or they are corrupt.  And should be removed from their duties.  Either way this league can be a fucking joke at times.  But I digress. 

Some quick notes…

–They wore the white pants again.  I really wish they would stop.  I also wish they would bring back the 1998 red uniforms if they are going to go retro. 

–The Niners new kicker, Matt Wright, wore the number 35.  That just looks weird.

–Fred Warner forced yet another fumble.  This one wasn’t recovered by the Niners but still, he is unbelievable.        

–Kyle Shanahan says the 49ers plan to open the practice window for WR Ricky Pearsall next week, it’s only been about 6 weeks since he was shot in the chest.  Hopefully he will perform at the level his fellow rookies are although, as long as the receivers stay healthy, it’s going to be hard for him to get any playing time.

–It was great to see Kyle Juszczyk not only get a carry, his first of the season, but be able to hit paydirt for the TD. 

–Speaking of uniforms, I love the Seattle throw backs.  I always have them wear them when playing Madden.  They should go back to them permanently.  So much better than their current ones. 

With this week’s victory the 49ers are now tied for first place in the West.  If Arizona can pull out the victory in Green Bay on Sunday it will be a three-way tie with only the Rams being under .500.  Next week the Niners return home for a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Referees.  Chiefs!  I definitely meant Chiefs.   Hopefully some of their walking wounded will be able to return to the field after a few extra days off.

P.S. I got that picture from @NinersNation They do a great job covering the Niners. Check them out.