49ers Back on Top of the NFC West After Big Road Win
The 49ers finally closed out a early game divisional lead behind some big contributions from young players en route to a 36-24 victory in Seattle.
For the third time in four weeks it looked like the San Francisco 49ers were going to blow a double digit lead in a divisional game. Like the Cardinals and Rams games they struggled to finish drives early in the game and had a massive special teams blunders allowing their opponent to stay close. However, this time around they were able to convert drives into scores in the 2nd half which allowed them to outlast the Seattle Seahawks comeback attempts in a 36-24 victory on Thursday Night.
After struggling all year to convert in the red zone the 49ers were much better in Week 6, converting on 3 out of 5 trips and going 3 for 3 in the second half. Last week I wrote about Brock Purdy needing to be more aggressive as a thrower down close to the goal line, a sentiment he echoed in his post game presser, and he was just that versus Seattle. In the 49ers first drive out of half time he threw a seed to the near pylon, placing it in a spot where only TE George Kittle could get it, to push the lead to 23-3.
In the 4th Quarter he threw his second TD of the half to Kittle on a tight window 3rd down throw to give them a two score lead with roughly 7 minutes left.
Purdy did a fantastic job all night of using his eyes and shoulders to manipulate Seattle’s second level defenders. Particularly in the red zone where he was aggressive and on time with his throws in confined spaces.
The 49ers success wasn’t all due to Purdy’s arm Thursday Night. Jordan Mason continued his impressive season with 73 yards on 9 carries before injuring his shoulder and passing the baton to rookie 4th Round pick Isaac Guerendo, who put up 99 yards of his own on 10 carries, including a 76 yard dagger with a minute-thirty left in the game.
The two backs were not the only young players to contribute in Week 6. Fellow rookie 4th Rounder Malik Mustapha got the start at SS and logged a key interception on the opening drive to jumpstart the 49ers momentum.
2nd Round pick Renardo Green stepped in for the injured Charvarius Ward, playing 71 snaps and delivering the biggest defensive play of the game, with a 4th Quarter pick of Geno Smith that set up Kittle’s second score.
Fellow young role players Dee Winters and Evan Anderson also made some splash plays down the stretch as the youth on this team is beginning to show they may be better options than the some of the incumbent veterans who have had slower starts to the season.
With two games left before their bye week the 49ers are once again atop the NFC West. A Super Bowl rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs looms next week as they try to string together a winning streak heading into the break in a big time revenge game.