The Seattle Seahawks had the San Francisco 49ers on the ropes but couldn’t deliver the knockout punch, losing 17-13 on a late touchdown by tight end Jake Tonges, who was only in the game presumably because of George Kittle’s early injury. It’s four straight losses at home for the Seahawks to the 49ers, and six defeats in seven overall dating back to the 2022 season.
Come watch the Live Post-Game Show on The Hawks Eye Podcast tonight at 7:45 PM PT with myself and fellow Field Gulls staff member Michael
Thompson.
Game Summary
The run game never threatened, leaving the offense one-handed
With no downhill juice, the 49ers sat on quick game and perimeter throws. Sam Darnold stayed conservative whenever he wasn’t targeting Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and drives kept stalling.
JSN: The Engine… and the Backbreaker
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was essentially the entire passing offense—creating separation, moving the sticks, and giving Seattle its only consistent spark. But the fumble flipped leverage and momentum, the kind of swing play you can’t afford against San Francisco. The bigger indictment: damn near nobody else got open.
Coverage, Trust, and Checkdowns
Darnold’s approach told the story—trust JSN, protect the ball elsewhere. That caution translated to checkdowns and throwaways instead of tight-window chances. Without a credible run threat or a second separator, Seattle never stressed the 49ers vertically.
Defensive Gut-Punch
The defense kept it within striking distance—until the final possession. Riq Woolen’s sequence was a meltdown: poor leverage, late eyes, and a composure drop at the worst possible time. Against the 49ers, that’s the game.
The 4th-and-1 Decision
4th & 1 inside the red zone late, tie game, down to one possession—and Mike Macdonald opted for the kick. In a rivalry knife fight, that’s playing not to lose. It undercut the sideline’s message and the unit’s confidence in short yardage. You needed conviction; you got caution.
Big picture
Run game: Non-factor
Passing game: JSN or bust, with a costly turnover
Defense: resilient until the final, brutal lapse.
Coaching: conservative in the game’s defining moment.
If Seattle wants to close the gap on San Francisco, the identity has to shift: win short yardage, manufacture a second receiving answer, and choose aggression in high-leverage downs.
Again, check us out at 7:45 pm PT or catch the replay in the video below. We will check the comments section in the live chat on YouTube and you can provide your own thoughts in the Field Gulls comments, too.
