The San Francisco 49ers couldn’t have asked for a better start. Sam Darnold completed an 18-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage, but a Robert Saleh blitz led to a Nick Bosa quarterback hit. The 49ers’ defense forced a punt, but were pinned at the 5-yard line.
George Kittle caught a 9-yard pass to keep the drive alive on 3rd & 4. Ricky Pearsall’s 26-yard reception on third down flipped the field. Purdy was roughed on the ensuing 3rd & 9 play, giving the offense a fresh set of downs. Another
pass to Kittle for 11 yards, and then a five-yarder in the end zone after Kittle beat his man gave the Niners a 7-0 lead.
Unfortunately, that would be the last time we saw Kittle as he was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Jauan Jennings would also be ruled out with a shoulder injury. He was wincing on the sideline. Jennings couldn’t lift his shoulder. So, the 49ers were crippled offensively against a divisional rival on the road. What could go wrong?
Unfortunately, as we discussed in the game preview, Purdy tends to want to put on a cape on every dropback. Everyone loves it when it works out well, like when the Niners benefit from Purdy’s mobility and hit the big play, or he chucks it down the field and the receiver comes up with a play.
However, fadeaway interceptions or throwing it into triple coverage that lead to interceptions can flip the game on its head. We saw the best and worst traits from Purdy in Week 1. You can’t blame the offensive line, or not having Kittle or Jennings, or even a holding call by Trent Williams. That didn’t force Purdy to make those decisions. You don’t have to get it all back in one play. That’s why you have four downs.
Seattle answered the 49ers’ initial score with a touchdown of their own. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a 21-yard reception on the drive. Deommodore Lenoir had an unnecessary roughness penalty that was uncalled for and out of line.
The 49ers had the Seahawks on the ropes, but Upton Stout, who had already given up an explosive play, committed defensive pass interference in the end zone.
Both teams traded a pair of punts. The 49ers had an opportunity to put points on the board, but Jake Moody picked up where he left off on the road last season and shanked a 27-yard kick. Seattle did not have the same issue. They made their field goal before the half, taking a 10-7 lead into halftime.
Robert Saleh’s defense came to play. After Purdy’s first interception, the Niners forced a three-and-out. The offense had another chance to score, but Matt Hennessy was blocked back, and Seattle blocked Jake Moody’s kick.
The defense answered the ball at every turn. Sam Okuayinonu forced a fumble, and Upton Stout pounced on the ball to give the offense back.
The 49ers held Seattle to a field goal, although the Seahawks bailed them out by kicking a field goal on 4th & 1, but a stop is a stop. When the game was on the line, Purdy made the throws he needed to. Pearsall had a beautiful double move. Purdy put the ball where he needed to be. Jake Tonges, of all people, converted a big third down and was the beneficiary of a Purdy scramble that led to the game-winning touchdown.
Could the defense hold one last time? Renardo Green was beaten on a double move, but Nick Bosa pushed his man into Darnold, forcing a fumble, and ultimately sealing the game in a rollercoaster Week 1. Niners win, 17-13.
