‘TNF’ takeaways: Rookies help 49ers avoid another epic collapse

The San Francisco 49ers avoided another epic collapse, earning a 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football.” 

Despite nearly blowing a 20-point second-half lead, the Niners held on, rushing for 228 yards while coming away with three turnovers on defense to improve to 3-3. Meanwhile, after a 3-0 start, the Seahawks have dropped three in a row.  

Here are four takeaways from the action: 

Rookies lead 49ers to victory 

There were plenty of standouts for the 49ers on Thursday night, like Brock Purdy (18-of-28, 255 yards, three TDs, zero INTs) and wideout Deebo Samuel (three catches, 102 yards, one TD). However, San Francisco could be staring at a 2-4 record without several clutch plays by first-year players. 

On the game’s opening drive, cornerback Malik Mustapha picked off QB Geno Smith on the one-yard line to deny the Seahawks points. Later, with 7:55 left in the fourth quarter, cornerback Renardo Green cut in front of a pass intended for DK Metcalf, changing the momentum with 7:55 left in the fourth quarter and the 49ers nursing a 23-17 lead. 

Finally, running back Isaac Guerendo made one of the game’s biggest plays, seeing action in place of Jordan Mason, who left the game with a shoulder injury. With 1:39, the rookie rusher broke off a 76-yard run after the Seahawks had cut the deficit to 29-24 on their previous possession, setting up a game-sealing touchdown by Kyle Juszczyk two plays later. 

49ers bounce back, but still need to learn how to finish games 

The 49ers are the only team in the NFL to blow multiple double-digit leads in a game this season, and they nearly did it again against the Seahawks. They played cleaner on both sides of the ball Thursday night, but still need to learn how to finish games. 

It’s true that the 49ers came through when it mattered in the second half, though after leading 23-3 at the start of the third quarter, it shouldn’t have been necessary. Furthermore, the immediate road ahead may not be as kind. 

San Francisco’s next two games are against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys, who will be fresh coming off their bye weeks. If the 49ers don’t clean up their habit of failing to put teams away, that could come back to bite them again. 

Seahawks won’t be contenders behind this offensive line 

Smith didn’t have his best game, finishing 30-of-52 for 312 yards, one touchdown and two picks. However, his porous offensive line didn’t do him many favors. 

The 49ers managed only one sack, but Seattle’s line allowed a seemingly endless barrage of pressure with Smith taking hits and seeing shadows all night. The O-line also cost their QB in another way, committing several costly penalties. 

Injuries piling up for Seahawks defense 

Already without CB Riq Woolen, DL Byron Murphy and LB Uchenna Nwosu, the Seahawks’ defense took several more hits on Thursday. In the loss to the 49ers,
CB Tre Brown and CB Artie Burns — who Seattle just signed off their practice squad — left the game with injuries.  

Down the stretch, their absences stood out as the 49ers racked up 483 yards of total offense. 

Playing three games in 10 days has taken its toll on the Seahawks. But they will get a slight reprieve, having played on Thursday night, which gives them a few days extra rest before playing the Atlanta Falcons (3-2) in Week 7.