5 takeaways from Seahawks’ thrilling 27-24 OT win over 49ers

The Seattle Seahawks defeated the previously unbeaten San Francisco 49ers with a statement victory. Here are five takeaways from the game.

The Seattle Seahawks (8-2) defeated the previously unbeaten San Francisco 49ers (8-1) on the road in overtime as the clock expired, obtaining perhaps their most important victory of the season. They now head into their bye week in the thick of the NFC West race. Here are five takeaways from Monday’s game.

The defense stepped up and showed drastic improvement at times

The Seahawks consistently got to the quarterback for seemingly the first time all year, in perhaps their most crucial game of the season. After surrendering 10 unanswered points to begin the game, the defense stiffened up and made plays in key moments. Jarran Reed strip-sacked Jimmy Garoppolo and Jadeveon Clowney recovered the ball, returning it for his second touchdown of the season and putting Seattle on the board. Quandre Diggs had a key interception off a pass that deflected off Kendrick Bourne’s hands and set up Seattle’s second touchdown to take a 14-10 lead. The defense also did enough in overtime to stop the 49ers offense and force a field goal try, which Chase McLaughlin shanked badly. However . . .

The defense dropped interceptions that could have sealed the game in regulation

On the 49ers’ final drive before overtime, Tre Flowers dropped an interception off another deflection by Bourne, bobbling it but failing to come up with the ball. Garoppolo then threw a ball directly to K.J. Wright, but he also failed to catch it. The ball to Flowers was tough to corral, but the pass to Wright was thrown right to him, and he could have sealed the game for Seattle right then and there.

Crucial fumbles and takeaways galore

Both offenses routinely had the ball stripped, and two of these fumbles were returned for touchdowns. In addition to Clowney’s fumble recovery for a TD, 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner scooped up a fumble by Germain Ifedi after a fumble by Russell Wilson, returning it for a touchdown that San Francisco would put an exclamation mark on with a two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to 21-18. Clowney also had a strip-sack of his own, with Poona Ford recovering to set up a rushing TD by Chris Carson (who also had a fumble before the Seahawks’ second TD) to make the score 21-10 in favor of the Seahawks. Speaking of key fumbles . . .

DK Metcalf’s red zone fumble before halftime was costly

With just over a minute to go before the half, Wilson completed a pass to Metcalf. The rookie second-round pick tried to power his way through to the end zone, fighting through tacklers along the sideline. As Metcalf spun inside the 5-yard line, 49ers defensive back Jaquiski Tartt stripped the ball from Metcalf at the 2. It was more of a great play by Tartt than a mistake by Metcalf, but a golden opportunity to score was squandered.

Sweet redemption for Myers

After nearly costing the Seahawks the game against Tampa Bay last week with two misses, one of which came as regulation expired, Myers made two clutch field goals. His first was a 46-yarder that gave Seattle a 24-21 lead with 1:45 in regulation, and his second was the game-winning 42-yarder that went just inside the right upright after Kyle Shanahan nullified Myers’ first attempt (which he also made) by burning his final timeout. There were many fans wondering if Myers should have been cut after last week, and some outright clamoring for it. It’s safe to say he got redemption in Santa Clara.

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49ers still on top of NFC playoff picture after loss

The 49ers lost, but they’re still at the top of the NFC standings.

The 49ers on Monday suffered their first defeat of the year when the Seahawks downed them 27-24 in overtime at Levi’s Stadium.

The gut-wrenching nature of the loss to a division rival may give the 49ers’ first jaunt into the loss column an added sting, but it still counts as just one loss in the standings.

Thanks to the Saints’ loss to the Falcons, the 49ers had an extra game up on New Orleans, so they maintained their spot atop the NFC playoff picture.

Here’s how the NFC looks after Week 10 action:

Playoffs

1. 49ers (8-1)
2. Saints (7-2)
3. Packers (7-2)
4. Cowboys (5-4)
5. Seahawks (8-2)
6. Vikings (7-3)

In the hunt

7. Rams (5-4)
8. Eagles (5-4)
9. Panthers (5-4)

The 49ers are now in a spot where the Saints are further back than Seattle.  San Francisco had a chance to effectively put the Seahawks away if they moved to 2.5 games up on them.

Instead, they’re now looking back at three teams nipping at their heels – the Seahawks, Saints and Packers.

The good news for the 49ers is they still control their playoff hopes. They have single games left against all three of those teams, so we could see a pretty dramatic shakeup in the NFC playoff picture down the stretch.

Draymond Green returned to the lineup only to get ejected versus Jazz

Draymond Green’s first night back ended a tad bit prematurely.

Draymond Green started the game for the Golden State Warriors on Monday night, but he wasn’t around to finish it. With about 8:30 remaining in what would eventually become a 122-108 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night, Green was ejected.

Considering the fact that it was the first game that Draymond suited up for since November 1, it was quite comical.

It was also quite Draymond.

The fateful play that led to Green being whistled for two technical fouls and disqualified for the contest occurred when Green was whistled for the blocking foul against Utah’s Mike Conley.

Green, who hit the deck pretty hard, was whistled for two technical fouls after arguing the adverse whistle. For what it’s worth, it certainly appears as though he had a point, but it also appears as though he was angling to get tossed. The official that sent him to the showers early gave Green a lot of rope before doing so.

The Warriors’ emotional leader now has earned the dubious distinction of being the first player to be ejected from a game at Chase Center. No surprise there.

With the loss, the Warriors have now lost four games in a row after last week’s feel-good upset over the Portland Trail Blazers. They’ll next travel to Los Angeles where they’ll do battle with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers on Wednesday night.

Green will likely start that contest, as well. Hopefully this time, though, he’ll be around to finish it.

Matt Flinn on LaMelo Ball’s breakout game: ‘Everyone saw tonight what we see in practice.’

LaMelo Ball had his best game of the season on Saturday and head coach Matt Flinn was highly complimentary of his guard afterward.

After weeks turning into even months of struggling in the National Basketball League, LaMelo Ball pieced together a full 40 minutes last week, leading to a star-like stat line of 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds in 32 minutes of play in the Hawks win over Cairns.

While Ball showed his ability in flashes during the season, he had been unable to piece together a full contest. On Saturday, that finally changed as the young guard showed all of his skills in the win.

Illawarra head coach Matt Flinn continued his tradition of complimenting Ball after wins in his post-game press conference.

“Everyone saw tonight what we see in practice. He’s very talented and he gets talked about in the draft circles for a reason because he can do things and get to spaces on the floor that some others can’t. He’s been challenged a lot in this league with his handles and a lot of people have tried to get after him and he keeps ticking those boxes. I was more pleased tonight, we know what we can do offensively, but I was more pleased tonight the way he locked into the defensive scout and showed he can play legitimate minutes and guard some quality players.”

Flinn has talked repeatedly about Ball’s skills and the flashes he showed in practice. Ball finally was able to make good on those high praises on the big stage. The key for Ball moving forward will be building off this performance. Matters will only get tougher for Illawarra as they meet the Sydney Kings who sit top of the table in the NBL.

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Steelers vs Browns: 3 big causes for concern this week

Here’s what we are worried about this week vs the Browns.

Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

It goes without saying the Pittsburgh Steelers are on a roll. Winners of four in a row, Pittsburgh has risen from the ashes like a fiery phoenix, reborn after a 1-4 start. Three of those four wins have come at home but this week the Steelers go on the road to Cleveland to take on the Browns. Here are our three big concerns this week.

The short week

Everyone knows the football on Thursday night is sloppy. Teams have very little time to recuperate from the previous game, much less prepare for the next one. The Steelers have been notoriously slow starters this season on offense so having a short week only compounds those worries.

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Seahawks QB Russell Wilson solidifies case for MVP through Week 10

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson proved nearly unstoppable Week 10 in the team’s overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson continues to prove he’s the clear-cut candidate for this year’s Most Valuable Player after displaying his magic in prime time.

Against the 49ers Week 10 on the national stage, Wilson finished the night completing 24 of 34 passes attempted for 232 yards and a touchdown. While he did throw his second interception of the season, he was unstoppable on the ground, posting six carries for 53 yards while escaping some serious pressure.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Wilson is now 6-0 in his career against teams that are at least eight games above .500.

With everything on the line and the clock ticking down in overtime, Wilson led the Seahawks on their game-winning drive, which kicker Jason Myers finished off with his 42-yard field goal to seal the victory.

With the win, the Seahawks advance 8-2 on the year and the 49ers are no longer the league’s only unbeaten team.

Seattle has a bye week to rest and recover before battling the Eagles Nov. 24.

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Packers lead division, hold No. 2 seed in NFC after 10 weeks

The Packers are in first place in the NFC North and the second seed in the NFC after 10 weeks.

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The Green Bay Packers are entering their Week 11 bye with an 8-2 record and sole possession of first place in the NFC North. They’re also currently holding the No. 2 seed in the conference, setting up Matt LaFleur’s team to make a legitimate run at a first-round bye over the final six weeks of the season.

The current NFC North and NFC standings:

NFC North

1. Packers (8-2)
2. Vikings (7-3)
3. Bears (4-5)
4. Lions (3-5-1)

NFC

1. 49ers (8-1)
2. Packers (8-2)
3. Saints (7-2)
4. Cowboys (5-4)
5. Seahawks (8-2)
6. Vikings (7-3)

7. Rams (5-4)
8. Eagles (5-4)
9. Panthers (5-4)
10. Bears (4-5)

The Packers play four of their final six games on the road, beginning in Week 12 at 49ers. With a win, the Packers can take over control of the No. 1 seed in the conference.

The team’s final six games include only two games against teams currently possessing a winning record:

Week 12 at 49ers (8-1)
Week 13 at Giants (2-8)
Week 14 vs. Redskins (1-8)
Week 15 vs. Bears (4-5)
Week 16 at Vikings (7-3)
Week 17 at Lions (3-5-1)

The Packers are 3-0 in the NFC North but finish with three straight games within the division, including back-to-back road games. It’s looking increasingly more likely that the Week 16 game in Minnesota will determine the division winner.

According to the New York Times playoff predictor, the Packers have a 95 percent chance at making the postseason and a 57 percent chance of winning the division. A win over the 49ers in Week 12 would boost the team’s chances of securing a first-round bye to almost 80 percent.

Draymond Green returns, but Warriors drop 122-108 decision to Jazz

The Warriors fell to 2-9 on Monday night.

The good news for the Warriors on Monday night was that Draymond Green’s extended absence ended. The bad news? Their losing streak didn’t.

Golden State was no match for Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz, dropping their fourth straight contest to the tune of a 122-108 decision.

Prior to the contest, it was announced that Green would suit up for the first time since November 1, and after missing five consecutive games, he showed some obvious signs of rust. In 22 minutes, Green shot just 2-for-7 from the field, scoring four points. He also had four rebounds and seven assists.

Green, who had a frustrating night, was ejected with about 8:30 remaining in the fourth quarter after he received two technical fouls for arguing a foul call. The team trailed by 13 points at the time.

D’Angelo Russell continued his strong play, scoring 33 points on an efficient 13-for-25 shooting from the field, but he got little help from his comrades, as no other player on the team scored more than 11.

The Warriors entered the contest ranking dead last in the NBA in defensive efficiency, yielding 117 points per 100 possessions. The presence of Green should have produced a better overall defensive effort from the Warriors, but they allowed Utah to score 35 and 34 points in the first and second quarters, respectively. With a 15-point deficit at the half, things didn’t get much better for the Warriors in the game’s final 24 minutes.

Utah shot a blistering 16-for-35 from three-point territory (compared to 10-for-31and outscored Golden State from the free-throw line by 18 points. As is often the case in the NBA, it’s difficult to overcome those shortcomings. For the Warriors on Monday night, it was.

The club will now head to Los Angeles on Wednesday to square off against LeBron James and the Lakers.

Seattle Seahawks player of the game: DE Jadeveon Clowney

Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney had his best game of the season, earning player of the game honors in Seattle’s overtime win.

The Seattle Seahawks pulled off an epic, wild, heart-attack inducing overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. The 27-24 win ended San Francisco’s undefeated season and pulled Seattle within one game of the division lead heading into Week 11.

The game had a lot of ugliness to it, from penalties, missed interception opportunities, stalled drives on offense, etc, but one player really stood out with his performance: defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

Clowney finished the game with five combined tackles, five quarterback hits, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, which he ran back for a touchdown early in the game.

That line is plenty good enough for him to earn player of the game honors, but Clowney showed up in ways that aren’t on the final box score. He frequently disrupted plays that resulted in sacks for other players, including forcing 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to pump fake and eventually take a sack from Poona Ford. Later in the game, he pushed Garoppolo up in the pocket and into the waiting arms of Al Woods for another sack.

Those two plays don’t go down in the books, but would not have happened had Clowney not been disruptive off the edge.

Seattle has struggled to generate an effective pass rush this entire season, but the defensive front stepped up in a crucial game, frustrating Garoppolo in the pocket all night long and leading to a season-high five sacks and eight quarterback hits.

This Seattle team will get a much needed bye week in Week 11, before taking on the Philadelphia Eagles on the road in Week 12.

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