The 49ers got a win in Seattle for the first time since 2011, and wrapped up the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 26-21 win over the Seahawks in Week 17.
Here’s our notes and observations from a wild one from CenturyLink Field:
– A good pass rush on the first snap of the game forced Russell Wilson out of the pocket. A defensive holding bailed the Seahawks out after a throw away.
– Tarvarius Moore was the nearest defender on a third-and-9 stop. That’s a big-time stop to open the game for the 49ers.
– Huge pitch and catch from Jimmy Garoppolo to George Kittle on third-and-7 on the 49ers’ opening series.
– Garoppolo got sacked twice on the first series, including a loss of 10 on a second-and-8 in Seattle territory. It was a really well-timed blitz on a play action look by the 49ers. They settled for a 47-yard field goal by Robbie Gould. Field goals won’t win this game, but it’s a good start for San Francisco.
– Another note from that first drive, Bobby Wagner can’t hang with Kittle.
– Marshawn Lynch’s first snap of the game was a play action pass that Wilson threw away. His second snap was a handoff for five yards.
– Ahkello Witherspoon came up with a pass breakup on third-and-3 to end Seattle’s second series. Big-time play from the cornerback after a rough game last week.
– WOW. An 8-play, 94-yard drive ends in a 30-yard touchdown run by Deebo Samuel. The 49ers got a pair of 30-yard pickups from their rookie receiver on the drive and it’s 10-0. Samuel is a perfect fit in this offense.
– A DeForest Buckner sack ended the Seahawks’ third drive. Buckner had almost no resistance in the middle. The 49ers’ pass rush has been excellent.
– Jimmy Garoppolo’s first incompletion came on his 10th attempt. His low throw for Emmanuel Sanders bounced out of the receiver’s hands.
– A Matt Breida sighting! He plowed ahead for nine yards after getting no touches in Week 16 against the Rams.
– Garoppolo’s stats are excellent, he’s 11-of-14 for 156 yards, but he’s missed a couple easy throws that could’ve put the 49ers in a spot to be up three touchdowns. Instead they’re up 13-0.
– Kevin Givens’ first NFL tackle came while stuffing Marshawn Lynch for no gain.
– An offsides on third-and-5 gave Seattle a first down, and Wilson bought a ton of time on the ensuing first down to find DK Metcalf for a gain of 15 yards. San Francisco can’t let this offense get rolling.
– Wow. Seattle goes for it on fourth-and-inches from the 49ers’ 31-yard-line. Lynch gets stuffed. That’s such a huge play for San Francisco. The crowd would’ve been rocking if he got going for a first down.
– 13-0 at the half. San Francisco scored 13 or fewer in five of their last eight trips to Seattle.
– A brutal first series to open the half for San Francisco. They went backwards twice and punted on a fourth-and-8. They needed points there and went the wrong direction instead.
– Russell Wilson tossed a touchdown pass on the Seahawks’ first possession of the second half, but a hold was called on Mike Iupati. Arik Armstead drew the hold. They’re doing a nice job in the middle.
– Seattle picked up a first down after facing a first-and-20. It was too easy. They’re running all over the 49ers’ defense.
– There’s a touchdown. Wilson finds Tyler Lockett behind great coverage by Ahkello Witherspoon. It looked like Wilson was past the line of scrimmage, but he just had a toe on the line for a legal forward pass. Ball game on in Seattle, it’s 13-7.
– Biggest series of the year for the offense.
– Huge. Garoppolo drops a dime on Kyle Juszczyk for a gain of 49 down to the Seahawks’ 26. Juszczyk ran a nasty route on Lance Kendricks and got open behind everyone.
– Touchdown Raheem Mostert. That was massive by the 49ers’ offense. Five plays, 75 yards and it’s 19-7 after San Francisco failed the two-point conversion attempt. Mostert made an outstanding cut back inside on an outside run for the touchdown. He got in behind a block by Juszczyk.
– Seattle answers right back. Marshawn Lynch jumped over the line for a touchdown to make it a 19-14 game. Ahkello Witherspoon had a rough go on that drive, and Seattle is eating on third downs. They’re 8-for-12 in the game.
– Huge. Third-and-5, Garoppolo connects with Samuel for 21 yards. The rookie receiver has been a monster.
– And Mostert cruises in for a 13-yard touchdown on the next play. It’s 26-14 with 5:51 to play. Seven plays, 75 yards. This offense has been simply sensational responding to Seattle scores.
– Witherspoon beat again. It’s DK Metcalf who got wide open and it’s 26-21. Witherspoon has allowed two of Seattle’s three touchdowns.
– Huge drive for the offense now. They cannot give the Seahawks the ball back.
– Catastrophic penalty on Ben Garland. He threw a block after the whistle not knowing the play was dead. That puts San Francisco in a third-and-17, and they threw short to Mostert for 16. That penalty is a backbreaker.
– Seattle takes over at their own 28 with 2:27 left. Ahkello Witherspoon is out of the game. Emmanuel Moseley is in.
– OH. MY. GOODNESS. The Seahawks had eight shots at the end zone from inside the red zone at the end, but Dre Greenlaw whacked Jacob Hollister at the goal line to keep him short on fourth-and-goal. Unbelievable defensive stand. The streak is over. The 49ers had lost seven straight in Seattle, and they’re the No. 1 seed in the NFC with their first NFC West championship since 2012.