As the Seahawks were driving on the game’s first possession, Geno Smith, one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the game, unleashed a third-down pass to Tyler Lockett under pressure. The ball sailed over Lockett’s head where 49ers safety Malik Mustapha was able to secure an interception.

In a season full of impressive throws, it was a rare one that got away from Smith, and it was the start of a tough night for the Seahawks in terms of turnovers.

Thanks in no small part to a trio of turnovers, the Seahawks fell 36-24 to the 49ers, their third straight loss and falling to 3-3 for the season.

That early interception ended a promising offense that seemed destined to produce points, and the 49ers were able to turn it into a field goal. In the second quarter, Laviska Shenault Jr. fumbled. a kick return, setting up another field goal, and in the fourth quarter, as the Seahawks attempted to complete an impressive comeback, Smith was intercepted again as he tried to hit DK Metcalf on a cross.

“We have to win the difference,” said Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald. “Those are team statistics. Obviously we don’t emphasize it enough. That’s the starting point. The guys know that. I mean, add that to the list of things we have to attack. But we can’t give the ball to others .” the other team, we have to play more precisely.”

With three more turnovers tonight, the Seahawks now have 10 this season, and have committed multiple turnovers in five of the six games. But the offense isn’t the only part of the equation; Seattle’s defense, which had three points in the season opener, had just one in the last five games, and had none on Thursday. That has resulted in the Seahawks having a turnover differential of minus six, which, as Macdonald noted, is hardly a winning formula.

“It’s probably the biggest thing that’s hurt our football team,” Macdonald said. “We have to take better care of the ball. Practice better. You get what you emphasize and apparently we don’t emphasize that enough. Shoot, that’s my responsibility.”