Seattle quarterback Geno Smith found redemption with his first win against the Niners in six tries. Smith did what he usually does against the Niners: he threw a precious interception under pressure, didn’t make the key when he was supposed to, but Kyle Shanahan gave him life. For the first time in six games, Smith didn’t miss the opportunity, taking the Seahawks on an 80-yard touchdown drive to win the game 20-17.

Shanahan’s gift. The 49ers run the ball on first down at the Seattle 46 with 3:06 left. The Seahawks stack nine in the box to force a one-yard loss. Shanahan can’t resist the chance of the death blow. He calls a play-action pass on the 2nd and tries to take advantage of the stacked box.

Brock Purdy’s pass sails incomplete over Deebo Samuel, sparing Seattle a timeout and stopping the clock. A hot pass on third down is well short of the first and the Niners kick into the end zone just a 22-yard net. Seattle starts at the 20 with 2:38 and another timeout, then marches 80 yards. Smith caps the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run.

Shanahan’s career is marred by a fatal mistake, trying to win the game with one play instead of a running clock. Even if the call is correct, it still needs to be carried out, and that’s not a given with this year’s Niners.

Given the choice of death blow or running to kill the clock, Shanahan chooses the death blow and trusts his play call. Debate whether that’s Shanahan feeding his ego or just trusting himself, the results keep repeating. This is why Shanahan gives up clues. This is exactly this, this decision.

The loss is catastrophic for San Francisco; winning the division is likely out of reach, as the Niners have three division losses to Arizona’s zero. If the Cardinals win two of their next three division games (Seattle twice and the Rams), they will clinch the division record tiebreaker before the season finale against the Niners.

The 49ers’ season comes down to next week in Green Bay, if you lose that game the wild card chances are gone barring a miraculous finish to end the year. As things stand now, the chances of a wildcard are slim at best.

A few players stood out with solid performances.

GAME BALLS

Juan Jennings – 10 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. The clutch hangs on third down and carries defenders with it.

Nick Bosa – Before leaving the game with an oblique injury, 1.5 sacks. What Seattle did with Bosa off the field is the only argument needed for Bosa’s importance.

Leonard Floyd – Also 1.5 sacks, plus his stunt with Yetur Gross-Matos set up YGM’s sack.

CRIMINAL FLAGS

The team – Nine flags returning several first downs.

Kyle Shanahan – Not just the death knell over the clock, but the choice to run a clearly deranged Christian McCaffrey 19 times for 72 yards and Jordan Mason twice for 13. There is no defense for this, but also no reason to expect it will change.

Nick Sorensen – Bosa goes down and there is no adjustment as the Niners attempt their fewest blitzes in a game all season.

Deebo Samuel – 22 yards on seven targets.

THE VIEW FROM 10,000 FEET

Going into this game, I was hoping to see improved execution from the Niners, greater consistency and the sharper detail they need to have a chance in Green Bay and Buffalo. That didn’t happen, this was more of the same.

The Niners are what their record and stats say they are: a sporadic team that lacks control of games and is prone to unforced errors. Alongside Jennings, Shanahan is coaching this team like it’s still 2023. Heavy reliance on McCaffrey, too many targets for Deebo, minimal touches for Mason. Shanahan refuses to turn the page to 2024 and the team suffers for it.

As for the defense, some of this is schematic. The 2nd half made it clear that without Bosa the Wide 9 lacks the talent and depth to work. If Bosa misses the game against Green Bay due to his oblique injury, and Sorensen is still reluctant to blitz, Jordan Love will have a big day for the Packers.

The Niners should get Charvarius Ward back and he is needed, this defense needs to be more aggressive at Lambeau. Right now, Bosa is the key. If he can’t go, the Wide 9 is toast — and so is the 49ers season.