Like a good Thanksgiving dinner, the 49ers received plenty of helpings of Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel during the their 31-13 win over the Seahawks on Thursday night
The duo devoured Seattle's defense in the first half, scoring three touchdowns as the 49ers took a 24-3 lead. Samuel scored first on a short rushing score, and McCaffrey ran for the game's next two scores as he and his teammate gained a combined 174 yards in the first half. McCaffrey finished the night with 114 rushing and 139 total yards. Samuel led both teams with seven catches for 79 yards along with his rushing touchdown.
Seattle had a brief comeback that was spearheaded by linebacker Jordyn Brook's pick-six, which was the only touchdown scored by either team in the third quarter -- and the Seahawks' only touchdown of the game. But the 49ers put the contest on ice on Brandon Aiyuk's 28-yard touchdown catch midway through the fourth quarter.
San Francisco's defense dominated a Seattle offense that was missing running back Kenneth Walker III. The unit made life tough on Geno Smith, sacking him six times and holding him to just 180 yards through the air.
Here's a closer look at the 49ers' win on Turkey Day.
San Francisco came out like gangbusters, scoring touchdowns on three of its first five drives. The most notable thing during that stretch was how effortless the 49ers' offense looked while tallying nine plays of over 10 yards. McCaffrey and Samuel did most of the damage, including some big runs behind left tackle Trent Williams.
The 49ers then slammed the door shut in the second half after the Seahawks made things somewhat interesting. Ahead 24-13, the 49ers' defense forced a critical punt that set up the offense's game-clinching drive. San Francisco's pass rush (led by Nick Bosa's two sacks) and Charvarious Ward's sticky coverage of DK Metcalf (who caught just 3 of 9 passes for 32 yards) were two big reasons for the 49ers' success on defense.
With Walker out, and with Smith playing with an injury, Seattle needed to get some help from its special teams and defense. They got that help on Dee Eskridge's 65-yard kickoff return following Samuel's touchdown and on Brook's pick-six in early in the third quarter. But the Seahawks still lost because their offense didn't carry their weight.
Walker's absence led to the Seahawks' offense being one-dimensional for most of the night. Seattle started to pick up some momentum at the end of the first half when they went to an up-tempo offense. It continued in the second half as Smith began to complete some chunk plays downfield.
But it was too little, too late as the 49ers defense -- knowing a pass was coming -- was able to tee off on Smith while not giving him time to complete downfield passes on weighty downs.
It appeared that the 49ers could be in some trouble at the end of the third quarter. Their lead was cut to 11 points and they were punting the ball back to a Seahawks offense that had just put points on the board. But a penalty on Zach Charbonnet (who was starting in place of Walker), a negative reception by Charbonnet on the following play and a third-down sack of Smith by Bosa and Arik Armstead forced a Seahawks punt.
The 49ers' offense took advantage of the punt by getting back to what they did so well in the first half. With McCaffrey setting up the passing game, Brock Purdy provided the knockout with his touchdown pass to Aiyuk.
While it didn't lead to a win, rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba's one-haded catch in the third quarter was hands-down the game's best play. The sensational catch -- which set up a field goal -- came on the nine-year anniversary of Odell Beckham Jr.'s memorable one-handed grab.
"He stopped that s---!" -- Samuel, during NBC's postgame show, on Ward's coverage of Metcalf
"This is such a fun team to play with. I love all these guys. Super thankful for them." -- McCaffrey on playing for the 49ers
"Food is the last thing I want after a game. No carbs, only meat." -- Bosa on being offered some Thanksgiving grub after the win
The 49ers will head to Philadelphia for a rematch of January's NFC title game. Both teams have thrown out bulletin board material since that game, which was won by the Eagles after Purdy left the game early with an injury.
Seattle will travel to Dallas to face a Cowboys team that plastered the Commanders earlier in the second game of Thursday's triple-header. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb both had big Turkey Day games, while DaRon Bland made history by recording his fifth pick-six of the season.
49ers salting away an impressive road win over the Seahawks. The 49ers will move to 8-3 and behind the Eagles for the top seed in the NFC.
Seattle falls to 6-5 and need to get healthy.
Aiyuk gets into the act and scores what is probably the back-breaking score. 49ers now up 31-13. As we talked about, the run set up the pass on that drive.
49ers pass rush just too much for Seattle. Seahawks stall on their opening drive of the fourth quarter.
Seahawks D will have to force a punt here if Seattle is going to have a chance to win this. If I'm the 49ers I'm letting the run set up the pass, like they did to start the game.
Well, the blowout is on hold in Seattle. Seahawks outscored 49ers 10-0 in the quarter and are in sticking distance entering the fourth.
Brooks' pick-six, Smith's passing and Seattle's ability to limit the 49ers' big plays were three reasons why the Seahawks were able to get back into the game.
JSN's big catch sets up Josh Meyers' FG to make it a 24-13 games.
Charvarious Ward was injured on the last play. He'd obviously be a big loss for the 49ers' defense.
Wow, a one-handed grab by Jaxon Smith-Njigba gives Seattle a big first down on the other side of the field. First-round pick makes a big play. Smith had a receiver open underneath but Smith gave his rookie teammate a chance.
Seattle's D gets another stop, so the offense has a chance to make it a one-score game. No rushing attempts for the 49ers on that drive.
And that's the TO we said Seattle needed. Jordyn Brooks with a pick-six to get Seattle's first TD of the year. Purdy threw it behind CMC and Brooks was right there to make the play.
Bosa sacks Smith on third down, though, forcing a Seattle punt. If there's a issue w/Seattle's attack, it's that it's one dimensional and the 49ers pass rushers can tee off on Smith.
Great breakup by Charvarius Ward on Metcalf, preventing a TD. But Seattle having success with up tempo passing, similar to what they did on their last drive of the first half.
Pete Carroll stressed playing football that Seattle is proud of. Also stressed taking everything one play at a time. So far so good as Smith hits Will Dissley for 21 yards and a first down.
Seattle misses the FG, so score remains 24-3 at halftime. Little scuffle as the half comes to an end.
Seattle takes a quick time and Jason Meyers will attempt a long field goal. Easily Seattle's best drive of the half.
Seattle should go to an up tempo offense in the second half. Having success doing so on their last drive of the half.
Jason Peters comes off the field with a possible injury late in the first half. Seattle trying to get a quick score before halftime.
In what has been a dominant first half, the 49ers have 16 first downs to Seattle's 1 and have out-gained the Seahawks 225-15.
Ronnie Bell just scooped up DeeJay Dallas' punt return, so the 49ers are the team that are in position to add to their lead.
Seattle forces a much-needed punt, so Seattle will get one last chance to score before halftime. They've got to find a way to get the passing game going while getting Metcalf involved.
McCaffrey back in the end zone, and the 49ers now have a three possession lead.
As dominant as a performance as you can get so far from the 49ers.
Make that 11 plays of over 10 yards after Kittle catches an 11-yard grab over Jamal Adams. 49ers just outside the red zone.
The 49ers have seven plays of at least 10 yards after Brandon Aiyuk's 22-yard catch on the 49ers' fourth drive.
Seattle's defense steps up and forces a punt, but 49ers down the punt inside the 5-yard-line.
Interestingly, no touches on the drive for CM.
Ambry Thomas ends Seattle's third drive with a pick deep in Seattle territory. Thomas anticipated the throw and jumped in front of Tyler Lockett.
Here's a look at McCaffrey's league-high 15th TD of the season:
McCaffrey powers in for his first TD of the night and the 49ers pull ahead, 14-3. Touchdowns on two of their first three drives with Samuel and McCaffrey leading the way.
Penalty against Tre Brown gives the 49ers a first down on third down. Brown was clearly holding Kittle in the end zone.
