The San Francisco 49ers defense took the field to start the game and did exactly what they have been doing all season. They won on early downs but failed to get off the field on third down.

Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell got curious and started shuffling in, leaving DK Metcalf open to run and catch for a 30-yard gain. Seattle would return to that play, or at least a similar concept, later in the drive.

This time Renardo Green was in coverage and this time there was pressure on the quarterback. Nick Bosa hit Geno Smith; Green had perfect coverage and Malik Mustapha read the quarterback’s eyes for an interception.

The 49ers offense took over at their three-yard line, but that didn’t stop them from controlling the ball. Brock Purdy ran for a pair of first downs. Deebo Samuel made an impressive one-handed catch on 3rd and 1 for a gain of 11. Jordan Mason ripped off a 38-yarder. Jauan Jennings caught a pass for 13 yards.

That put us in the dreaded red zone.

Facing a first-and-goal from the 10-yard line, a run three and two incomplete passes left the Niners settling for a 25-yard field goal. A third and goal fade to Deebo is not what you would call a high percentage throw. Matthew Wright’s kick was good to give the 49ers a 3-0 lead, but the drive still felt empty.

Isaac Yiadom held his own on the ensuing drive against DK Metcalf, and the 49ers defense quickly left the field in just over two minutes. However, the crime did not do its job. They punted after a 2nd and 1. Mason was stuffed on second and Purdy threw a jump pass to George Kittle on 3rd and 1 for an incomplete pass.

The 49ers looked alive in the second quarter. Fred Warner had a great play on 3rd and 3 after beating several blocks and making a short pass.

Kyle Shanahan shot on the first play and Deebo Samuel shot down the left sideline. Seattle’s safety misplayed the ball, leaving it up to a linebacker to catch Samuel. As you might expect, that linebacker didn’t catch Samuel. It was a 76-yard touchdown pass that gave the Niners a commanding 10-0 lead.

The 49ers looked alive in the second quarter. Fred Warner had a great play on 3rd and 3 after beating several blocks and making a short pass.

Kyle Shanahan shot on the first play and Deebo Samuel shot down the left sideline. Seattle’s safety misplayed the ball, leaving it up to a linebacker to catch Samuel. As you might expect, that linebacker didn’t catch Samuel. It was a 76-yard touchdown pass that gave the Niners a commanding 10-0 lead.

The Niners had a chance to blow the game open after Darrell Luter Jr. had forced a fumble on the kickoff. It was potentially a huge turning point.

The offense had a short field and technically it wasn’t a red zone opportunity, but they had the ball on the 29-yard line. After Mason gained six yards on the first two plays, Purdy had to scramble on third and fourth down. It was a missed opportunity to score a touchdown. Instead, a field goal made it 13-0.

Nick Sorensen had a great first half. He switched coverages, forcing Smith to hold the ball, which led to Nick Bosa being assessed a holding penalty. After that three-and-out, the offense would again take place on a longer drive. Mason ran for 14, and Brandon Aiyuk caught a 16-yarder. Purdy rushed for another 10-yard gain to move the chains.

A 50-foot facemask put the 49ers in the red zone, which is apparently the last place they want to be these days. Another failed rush on the first down meant it was 2nd and 11. An incomplete pass and a failed fullback screen led to another field goal to make it 16-0.

During the two-minute drill, the 49ers gave up a pair of chunk plays, and a defensive pass interference gave Seattle first and goal from San Francisco’s two-yard line. Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green made two spectacular moves on the ball to force incompletions. The Seahawks had a chance to regain the momentum, but the defense stood tall.

The Seahawks went 3-for-8 on third down, and Smith averaged just 6.1 yards per pass and had just one red zone attempt in the first half. It was perhaps their best half of the season if we don’t count the Patriots – for obvious reasons.

Mason, who left the game in the second half, returned to start the first series and had a carry to open the second half. A touchdown here felt like it could take out the Seahawks for good.

It was Kittle who starred on this ride. He got behind the defense for a 29-yard gain. A few short plays later, the 49ers faced a 3rd and 3. Purdy threw a perfectly placed pass on an out route to Kittle, who made a nice toe tap for a touchdown. That gave the 49ers a commanding 23-3 lead. That was Kittle’s first red zone target of the night.

The 49ers’ special teams had other ideas. After forcing a fumble, the kickoff team allowed a 97-yard touchdown return to give Seattle life. That made it 23-10, and he had another ball game.

Jake Brendel was flagged for holding, leaving him 2nd and 18th. It is impossible to come back from this kind of punishment. On the same play, Aaron Banks left. Spencer Burford replaced Banks. Deebo made a valiant effort on screen to save a position in the field.

That turned out to be a key play, as Mitch Wishnowsky’s punt was knocked down at the six-yard line. Or so we thought.

Smith completed a 37-yarder on 3rd-and-8 for Tyler Lockett. Isaac Yiadom defended him. Metcalf shook loose from Green on 3rd-and-3, and Kenneth Walker capped a 13-play, 94-yard drive to pull Seattle within 23-17.

The 49ers went three-and-out after the defense was on the field for more than five minutes. Not having Mason took a toll on the offense. Purdy missed Aiyuk first and they couldn’t recover from possession.

A bizarre review that looked like it could be the Niners way. Seattle retained possession, but Nicholas John Bosa had other ideas. He made every play on the drive to give the ball back to the offense.

Aaron Banks left the series after one play due to cramps. He was doubtful to return and was replaced by Spencer Burford. The offense gained 48 yards on the drive, thanks in large part to a 21-yard reception by Brandon Aiyuk. A curious screen pass to Kyle Juszczyk on second fell incomplete. On 3rd and 9, and the foul was punted again. Wishnowsky had another excellent punt to put Seattle at the three-yard line.

After getting a first down, Renardo Green interrupted DK Metcalf’s route, and the ball hit him in the hands for his first career interception. It was great coverage by the rookie. This should be a confidence builder for him. It may not be long before he starts.

San Francisco took over at Seattle’s 15-yard line. On third and fourth down of the nine, Kittle beat the Seahawks safety to give the 49ers a two-possession lead. It was Kittle’s second target in the red zone and his second touchdown reception.

The Seahawks scored on a 4th and goal after a 15 play drive. That made the score 29-24. Isaac Guerendo ran well on the evening with limited opportunities, exploding for a 76-yard gain to ice it. He slipped, but Kyle Juszczyk didn’t. Juice scored to make it a 12-point game and make it 36-24.