Schedule change: 49ers get 2 additional prime-time games vs. Packers, Rams

The 49ers got two additional prime-time games, starting with the Packers in Week 12, which is now on Sunday Night Football.

Add two more prime-time games to the 49ers’ schedule.

Their Week 12 home game against the Green Bay Packers has been flexed to Sunday night. Kickoff is now slated for 5:20 p.m. PT instead of the original 1:25 p.m. Seahawks at Eagles was the original Sunday night matchup.

The 49ers’ loss to the Seahawks put the 8-2 Packers only a half-game behind San Francisco for first place in the NFC standings.

San Francisco doesn’t have an easy Week 11 matchup. They’ll face the Arizona Cardinals, who pushed the 49ers to the brink in Week 9 before the 49ers eventually prevailed 28-25 in Arizona.

Green Bay is idle with a bye week.

That leaves two scenarios on the table for what’s now a huge Sunday night game. Either the 49ers and Packers are both 8-2 and jockeying for a first-round playoff bye, or the 49ers are a game up on the Packers with a chance to create separation.

The Week 16 showdown with the Rams at Levi’s Stadium, which did not have an official time, has been given a 5:15 p.m. PT start on Saturday, Dec. 21. That game will air on NFL Network.

That one could wind up determining the division winner depending on how the rest of the season shakes out. In their first matchup, the 49ers got the better of the Rams, 20-7, in Week 6 in Los Angeles.

This is quite a departure for the 49ers, who had their Sunday night game against the Rams last year flexed out in favor of a more competitive, meaningful matchup.

Prime-time kickoffs should only add to the electricity of two extremely big games for the 49ers in their push for a playoff spot.

List of injured 49ers grows, Ronald Blair out for season

The 49ers took a beating Monday night against the Seahawks.

The 49ers suffered more losses than the one on the scoreboard Monday night. Their list of injured players grew following the knock-down, drag-out fight with the Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Tuesday updated reporters on a conference call about the new ailments affecting the 49ers.

Defensive lineman Ronald Blair, who exited the game in the second half following a sack of Russell Wilson, tore his ACL and is out for the season. There’s no official word on a roster move to replace Blair yet. Jeremiah Valoaga is the only defensive end on the practice squad, but San Francisco could look for alternate solutions on the free agent market as well.

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders left the game in the second quarter, and was ruled out early in the second half with a rib injury. Shanahan said Sanders is day-to-day with a rib cartilage issue, and his status for Sunday against the Cardinals is up in the air. The 49ers’ passing attack suffered greatly once Sanders exited the game.

Offensive tackle Joe Staley, in his first game since breaking his fibula in Week 2, dislocated his finger and may need surgery that would keep him out a few weeks. His replacement, Justin Skule was inactive Monday night, but could be put back in at left tackle if Staley misses any time.

Defensive tackle DJ Jones also left in the second quarter and was ruled out early in the second half. He’s dealing with a groin injury and is day-to-day according to Shanahan. Jones was having a nice year at defensive tackle, and had a sack Monday night, then injured himself chasing Russell Wilson to the sideline.

NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday morning that running back Matt Breida could also miss time after re-aggravating an ankle injury Monday night. He left in the second half after rushing 10 times for 18 yards. While Breida battled through an ankle injury last year, the 49ers could take precautions to ensure he’s fully healthy before returning and sit him at least against the Cardinals on Sunday.

Shanahan said George Kittle and Robbie Gould both remain day-to-day. Kittle is working through knee and ankle injuries, while Gould is recovering from a quad strain. Their statuses for Week 11 are both unknown.

San Francisco looked like they’d be getting healthy just in time for the most difficult portion of the schedule, but Monday’s game sent them in the opposite direction.

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.

5 takeaways from 49ers’ wild Monday night loss to Seahawks

The 49ers took their first loss of the season against the Seahawks on Monday night. There was plenty to learn from it.

The 49ers took their first loss of the year to the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 in overtime.

Here are five takeaways from a tremendous contest at Levi’s Stadium:

49ers still in first place

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After all that, the 49ers are still the top team in their division and the NFC. Seattle is only a half-game behind them in the West at 8-2, while San Francisco dropped to 8-1. And the Saints’ loss to the Falcons put them at 7-2,  so the 49ers still sit a full game up on them. It was a heartbreaking loss to a division rival, but not the end of the world.

Notes and observations from 49ers’ heartbreaking loss to Seahawks

The 49ers couldn’t overcome a rash of injuries and lost their first game of the year Monday night.

That was the incredible, back-and-forth game everyone wanted from this once great rivalry. The rivalry appears to be all the way back, and Seattle left Levi’s Stadium with a 27-24 overtime victory that came down to the final seconds of OT.H

Here are our notes and observations from the contest:

– The Seahawks defense is fast. They’ve stuffed two runs to open the game to put the 49ers in an early third-and-10.

– Jimmy Garoppolo hit Kendrick Bourne for 16 yards and a first down to extend the 49ers’ first drive. His wiggle in the pocket was fantastic. It bought him time to find Bourne open over the middle.

– Garoppolo threw a bad interception on third-and-5, but a defensive holding call bailed him out. That’s the kind of throw he can’t afford to make where a trailing defender can cut underneath a shallow cross. It was almost identical to the pick he threw against the Panthers. He’s just finding the receiver too late.

– Garoppolo is getting whacked on this series. Seattle’s defensive line has gotten multiple free runs at him. The 49ers have to find a way to clean that up.

– The chemistry between Garoppolo and Emmanuel Sanders is remarkable. He’s made a couple passes to Sanders under pressure that took a lot .of faith in his receiver to make a play.

– Garoppolo had Goodwin on a third-and-5, but it was a little high and went off Goodwin’s hands. That’s probably one San Francisco would like him to pull down. Garoppolo made a terrific play to avoid another heavy pass rush and get rid of the ball down the field.

– Rookie Chase McLaughlin, in for the injured Robbie Gould, drilled a 43-yard field goal to open the scoring after a 13-play, 50-yard drive. They’ve got a ton of adjustments to make on offense. That drive was sustained by a couple of bad Seahawks penalties.

– DJ Jones just eviscerated backup center Joey Hunt to swallow up Russell Wilson and end Seattle’s first series. That was an incredible play.

– Deebo Samuel had a 30-yard catch-and-run. San Francisco badly needed one of their receivers to emerge with George Kittle out. A 30-yard reception will do.

– Garoppolo is dropping dimes to Sanders. He threaded the needle over a corner and under a safety for a reception. Sanders held on despite getting his helmet removed by the hit. Incredible play on both ends.

–  Garoppolo hits Bourne for a 10-yard touchdown. The 49ers are torching Seattle on underneath routes. They’ve been there all night.

– Emmanuel Moseley had terrific coverage one-on-one against rookie wide receiver DK Metcalf. The pass breakup forced another Seahawks three-and-out.

– Seattle got its play action working on offense to grab a couple quick first downs on its third series. A third-down blitz and a sack by Fred Warner snuffed out that drive. It’s another Seahawks punt.

– Warner was the catalyst for the 49ers’ next stop. He batted down a Wilson pass on third-and-1. The was a a heck of a play by the linebacker. Nick Bosa wasn’t fooled by the play action and forced an early throw.

– Garoppolo got careless with the ball in the pocket. There wasn’t a flag to bail him out this time. He fumbled on a strip sack by Jarran Reed, and Jadeveon Clowney recovered and strolled in for a touchdown. It’s now 10-7, 49ers.

– Fullback Kyle Juszcyzk got open down the field,  and Garoppolo threw a dime over the linebacker in coverage, but Juszcyzk dropped it. That’s where San Francisco misses George Kittle.

– Another drop. This time Dante Pettis nearly plucked a first down, but got leveled and the ball came loose as he went down.

– WOW. Jaquiski Tartt just ripped the ball away from DK Metcalf as he was going in for a touchdown. Incredible play by the safety to save a score and get the ball back with a minute left in the first half. A score there would’ve given Seattle the lead, and they get the ball to start the second half. It’d be a huge victory for San Francisco if they can get to the half with a lead.

– It feels like the air got sucked out of the 49ers defense. Wilson has time to throw and Chris Carson is finding room to run on the first drive of the second half.

– And just like that Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny put the ball on the ground and the 49ers recovered. That’s a huge play by the defense, and their second takeaway of the night.

– The 49ers couldn’t capitalize on the turnover. Garoppolo misfired to Deebo Samuel on fourth-and-2, and Seattle took over at their own 33-yard line. It’s going to be tough sledding for the quarterback without Kittle and Sanders.

– Dre Greenlaw made a great read on a screen pass to keep Seattle to a five-yard gain when it could’ve gone for a lot more. Nice diagnosis by the rookie on a well-designed screen.

– Fred Warner got Wilson again. It’s his second sack of the night and Seattle will punt on their second series of the half.

– Deebo Samuel made a terrific diving catch on second-and-7 that was ruled just short of the first down marker. Kyle Shanahan challenged the spot successfully and got San Francisco a big first down. With injuries to Emmanuel Sanders and George Kittle, churning clock and shortening the . game is going to be vital. Garoppolo also has to find a pass catcher he can trust.

– And right on cue, Kendrick Bourne has a ball slip through his hands for an easy interception and long return that put Seattle at the 49ers’ 16-yard line. It’s been a truly abhorrent showing by the receiving corps.

– Seattle scored three plays later. 14-10, and this looks dire based on how the 49ers offense has been playing since Sanders’ exit.

– Garoppolo loses another fumble. The route may be on at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers can’t block anyone or hold onto the football.

– It’s another easy score for the Seahawks. Chris Carson plows in from a yard out to make it 21-10 with 1:42 to go in the third.

– Deebo Samuel dropped a would-be first down and it nearly led to another turnover.

– Huh. Well then. Russell Wilson nearly got sacked, but his offensive lineman took the ball away from him, then Fred Warner punched the ball away from the offensive lineman, and DeForest Buckner scooped and scored. What a wild play that San Francisco desperately needed. They converted the two-point conversion as well and it’s 21-18, Seattle.

– The 49ers defense backed up the score by forcing a punt, then a shaky helmet-to-helmet call on the punt return gave the 49ers excellent starting field position. A big catch-and-run by Deebo Samuel put them in Seahawks territory.

– Another Kendrick Bourne drop on third-and-8 forced San Francisco to settle for a game-tying field goal. That one nearly resulted in an interception as well. This has been a very rough game for San Francisco’s banged up WR corps.

– Levi’s Stadium is LOUD.

– The 49ers can’t get a stop. They keep letting Seattle get into second-and-third and shorts and they keep moving the chains and eating clock.

– Well then. Wilson tried a naked boot, and Ronald Blair read it the whole way. He slung the quarterback down for a sack to bring up third-and-6. Biggest play of the game coming with 3:30 to go in the fourth.

– Another conversion on third-and-6. Seattle is going to get the final possession at this rate. It’s four and five yards at a time. Just a methodical march by a very good offense.

– Huge stop on third-and-short with 1:49 left. Seattle lined up to go for it, then called a timeout. Kicker Jason Myers drilled a 46-yard field goal to take a 24-21 lead. Gut check time for Garoppolo.

– Oof. Brutal series from the 49ers’ QB, who was so good a week ago in Arizona. He nearly threw an interception on first down, then delivered way too high on second-and-10.

– Another interceptable throw on first-and-10 after a third-down conversion. This time Bobby Wagner drops it.

– Shanahan dialed up a screen, but the Seahawks sniffed it out pretty easily. Instead it was a long-developing play that ran a ton of time off.

– Well, San Francisco got it to the Seahawks’ 29. It’s a 47-yard try for McLaughlin and he drilled it to tie. Unbelievable. We’ve got overtime at Levi’s.

– The Seahawks won the toss in overtime. That’s not great news for a 49ers defense that’s struggled to get stops late in this one.

– The 49ers sacked Wilson for a huge loss, but Seattle converted a third-and-16 with a gain of 28. That’s a back breaker after San Francisco appeared to have Wilson sacked, but he escaped, bought time, and hit Malik Turner for a big-time catch-and-run.

– Another huge play by Wilson. He avoided another sack to connect with tight end Jacob Hollister for a first down at the 49ers’ 20. Wilson is the MVP of the league because of his ability to orchestrate drives like this.

– DRE. GREENLAW. He intercepted Russell Wilson in the red zone and returned it to the Seahawks 49-yard line. Unbelievable. He is in because of the injury to Kwon Alexander.

– The 49ers got a huge 7-yard completion on a third-and-6 to extend their series. Then they churned it down to the 29 where they came up on a fourth-and-short and the 49ers will rely on McGlaughlin again from 47 yards. He missed this time and Seattle has great field position. They can win with a field goal.

– Emmanuel Moseley again. He breaks up a third-and-2 throw intedned for Metcalf.  Great game by him.

– Quick three-and-out is not what the 49ers needed. Their series took 14 seconds.

– Wilson with a huge scramble for 18 on third-and-3 to the 49ers’ 39. That puts them on the edge of field goal range. The 49ers sent the house but couldn’t get home.

– A 42-yard Myers field goal with no time left in OT won it. What a game. The 49ers are still in first in the division and the conference.

DeForest Buckner scores weirdest touchdown of season

The 49ers got a defensive touchdown in the strangest way possible.

The 49ers needed a spark from their defense, and they got one when K’Waun Williams flew off the edge to wrap up Russell Wilson. Before Wilson could go down, his offensive lineman Germain Efedi took the ball away from the quarterback, then had it stripped by linebacker Fred Warner. DeForest Buckner scooped it up and scored an enormous touchdown for San Francisco.

The 49ers wound up converting the two-point conversion to make it a 21-18 game.

Fred Warner forces punt with 2nd sack vs. Seahawks

Fred Warner is flying around in the 49ers’ first game without Kwon Alexander.

The 49ers were going to have big shoes to fill at linebacker with Kwon Alexander out. Fred Warner appears to be taking the onus on himself.

He got to Russell Wilson once in the first half for his first career sack. Then he got him again in the second half to force a punt after Seattle started rolling on offense.

This is the kind of showing San Francisco needs from Warner with Alexander sidelined.

Jaquiski Tartt steals DK Metcalf’s lunch money, prevents touchdown

Jaquiski Tartt prevented a Seahawks touchdown with perhaps the defensive play of the year for the 49ers.

The end of the first half could’ve been a disaster for the 49ers. Seattle looked like they were going in for a score when receiver DK Metcalf when rumbling through would-be tacklers toward the goal line. Safety Jaquiski Tartt had other ideas.

Tartt flew over and ripped the ball away from the rookie receiver inside the 5-yard line. It was perhaps the defensive play of the year for San Francisco:

If the 49ers hold on to win, remember this play.

3 49ers questionable to return with injuries

The 49ers in the second quarter announced a trio of players were questionable to return to Monday’s game vs. Seattle.

The 49ers announced a trio of injuries in the second quarter Monday night.

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders was announced as questionable to return with a rib injury shortly after he was seen walking to the locker room without a helmet. He had two catches for 24 yards.

Center Weston Richburg left the game with a hand injury, and defensive tackle DJ Jones went down with a groin injury.

San Francisco is already without starting tight end George Kittle, so losing another blocker and another pass catching option is a tough draw for the 49ers offense. Ben Garland stepped in for Richburg at center.

We’ll provide updates as soon as they become available.

WATCH: Fred Warner notches 1st-career sack

Fred Warner picked up his first sack of the season to end a Seahawks drive.

The 49ers rarely send extra pass rushers. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh dialed up a blitz on a Seahawks third-and-4 in 49ers territory. It worked.

Linebacker Fred Warner blew through a hole in the offensive line and dragged down quarterback Russell Wilson before he could get outside the pocket. Seattle punted for the third time in as many possessions.

The 49ers have done a nice job with Wilson in the early going.