SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — A seemingly safe 20-point lead for San Francisco had been cut to six points by Seattle, and the 49ers appeared to be on the brink of another. late game collapse against one division opponent.

Only this time, the 49ers came up with the big plays — thanks in large part to their rookie class — and closed one 36-24 win over the Seahawks on Thursday night, giving them a share of the NFC West lead.

“It was something that definitely felt familiar,” All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner said of the dwindling lead. “We can go two ways here. We can hold our own in a hostile environment in a match we know we have to get, or we can settle for exactly how we’ve played in the last few losses. But that’s probably what I’m most proud of right now: the way we showed up.”

The 49ers got an interception from rookie Renardo Green to set up Brock Purdy’s third TD pass of the game, which gave San Francisco a 29-17 lead in the fourth quarter.

Isaac Guerendo then helped ice the game with a 76-yard run behind fellow rookie Dominick Puni with less than 2 minutes remaining.

Fourth-round pick Malik Mustapha added an interception earlier in the game.

“So impressive,” said fullback Kyle Juszczyk. ‘Fuller than their years. A big competition for the entire class, with Renardo coming out on top. Malik, IG Puni has been there all year. Very talented, very mature class, young guys we can count on.”

What works

George Kittle in the red zone. San Francisco has struggled in the red zone this season, but throwing to Kittle has worked well. Purdy threw two TD passes to Kittle in the second half, giving Kittle an NFL-high five touchdown catches in the red zone this season.

What needs help

Kick cover. The Niners made a big play on special teams when Darrell Luter Jr. a fumble by Laviska Shenault Jr. which was recovered by Tatum Bethune in the second quarter. But the season-long special teams problems returned when Shenault had a 97-yard kick return for a touchdown in the third quarter and Dee Williams had a 37-yard return to the Seattle 49 in the fourth quarter.

Stock up

DE Nick Bosa didn’t record a sack, but made a big impression with his pressure on Geno Smith, leading to an interception in the end zone on the first drive. According to NFL NextGen stats, Bosa had 14 pressures, which is the most pressures for any player in a game over the past four seasons. According to NextGen stats, his seven games with at least 10 pressures are the most since he entered the NFL in 2019.

Stock down

LB De’Vondre Campbell. The 49ers hoped the signing of Campbell would fill the void left by Dre Greenlaw, who is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon during last season’s Super Bowl. But Campbell has struggled this season, especially in pass coverage. He was beaten early in the game on a 30-yard pass on third down and has allowed 25 catches on 28 targets this season, according to PFF.

Injuries

RB Jordan Mason has an AC sprain in his shoulder and is day to day. … KMatthew Wrightwho signed last week to replace the injured Jake Moody, dislocated his shoulder during a tackle after a kick return. The team is awaiting the results of an MRI to determine if they should bring in another kicker. … Mustapha (low ankle sprain) is day to day. …RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) will not return to training this week. … Rookie WR Ricky Pearsall will have his practice window open Monday but is not expected to play next week as he works his way back after being shot in the chest on Aug. 31.

Key number

11.3 – The 49ers used two running backs and one tight end – ’21’ personnel – on 28 plays in the game for an average of 11.3 yards per play. That’s the fourth-best performance for a 21-man team since 2010, according to Sportradar, out of 647 games with at least 20 games in that personnel.

What’s next

San Francisco hosts Kansas City in a Super Bowl rematch on October 10. This will be the 10th Super Bowl rematch in the next regular season, with the champion winning six of the previous nine.

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AP N.F.L.: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL