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Seahawks 20, 49ers 17: NFL Week 11 Winners and Losers Analysis

Minnesota Vikings News and Links, 12 March 2024

The long-awaited moment has finally arrived. The Seattle Seahawks (5-5) have fought their way back into the playoff contention after a nail-biting 20-17 victory against the San Francisco 49ers (5-5). The six-game losing streak against the 49ers is now in the past. Geno Smith’s previous winless record against San Francisco is also history. Seattle’s hopes of clinching the NFC West title and returning to the postseason are not just alive; they are more vibrant than ever, albeit precariously.

After a missed opportunity against the Los Angeles Rams prior to their bye week, the Seahawks seized their moment when it mattered most against the reigning NFC champions. Ending the drought against the 49ers in this dramatic fashion could not have been more fitting.

Now, it’s time for Winners and Losers, and this time, the outlook is optimistic!


Celebrating the Standout Performers of the Game

Geno Smith

Geno Smith needed this victory more than anyone else. This win was not just about finally overcoming the 49ers; it was also a personal redemption arc after the previous game against San Francisco, where he had a chance to take the lead, and the disastrous fourth-quarter performance against the Rams prior to the bye week. Despite facing adversity, including a rough interception to start the second half, Smith orchestrated one of his most significant game-winning drives as the Seahawks quarterback. He completed 7 of 8 passes for 54 yards and used his legs effectively when it counted, particularly on the decisive touchdown.

Although Smith’s overall statistics may not jump off the page—25 completions on 32 attempts for 221 yards and one interception—his performance was pivotal, especially after Nick Bosa exited the game. The 49ers still boasted a formidable defensive lineup, including one of the best linebackers in the league. Smith remained calm and focused when the stakes were highest, potentially marking this game as a defining moment in his career as a Seahawk, depending on how the rest of the season unfolds.

We have grown accustomed to seeing Russell Wilson lead dramatic comebacks against the 49ers, but now it is Geno’s turn to shine. While there may be lingering doubts about his status as an elite quarterback, there should be no question about his heart and determination. This performance was nothing short of remarkable.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has arrived in a big way. It is undeniable that he has solidified his role as WR2 and is potentially in a 1a/1b scenario alongside DK Metcalf. In just ten games, he is on the verge of matching last year’s rookie statistics.

JSN recorded an impressive 10 catches for 110 yards, with four crucial receptions during the final possession of the game. He was clearly Geno’s primary target, and his performance over the last two games has solidified that trust. The 49ers have shown vulnerability against slot receivers throughout the season, and this game highlighted that weakness effectively.

Additionally, I appreciated the creativity in getting him the ball, including a well-executed jet sweep handoff that resulted in a first down. It’s essential to continue finding innovative ways to leverage his talents on the field!

DK Metcalf

Welcome back to the spotlight, DK Metcalf! He had a productive game with seven receptions for 70 yards and made a game-changing 26-yard catch on a pivotal third-and-12 play, defying the defense’s reach. His powerful block on JSN’s screen pass also set up Ken Walker for a crucial touchdown.

Ernest Jones IV

My standout defensive player is none other than Ernest Jones IV. He has proven himself worthy of a starting position. Jones delivered an impressive performance against the Rams and excelled against the 49ers, showcasing his tackling skills and repeatedly disrupting their rushing attacks. He led the team with 13 tackles, and while tackle counts can be misleading, many of those were for minimal yardage. Unlike the decision to part ways with Tyrel Dodson, which I find questionable, I fully support moving on from Jerome Baker in favor of someone with greater potential. Jones is emerging as a fantastic middle linebacker.

Tyrice Knight

The rookie linebacker was second on the team in tackles with 10 and appeared solid in his first start following Tyrel Dodson’s release. We will need to monitor his progress to see if the bold choice to elevate the former UTEP star to a starting role pays off.

Devon Witherspoon

Devon Witherspoon has had a strong season, aside from a few issues with penalties and tackling. He was exceptional in this game. His tipped ball led to Johnathan Hankins’ interception, and he broke up two additional passes while effectively covering Deebo Samuel on a critical play late in the game. It was evident that the 49ers had a trick play in mind, but Witherspoon quickly snuffed it out.

This was one of Witherspoon’s most significant performances in his young career with the Seahawks, showcasing the potential he displayed as a rookie.

Johnathan Hankins

How can we not celebrate Johnathan Hankins as a winner? He made a remarkable leap to secure his first career interception after 12 seasons in the NFL, contributing to the team’s scoring efforts.

Boye Mafe

Although Mafe didn’t record any sacks, he did make two crucial pass defenses to prevent the 49ers from attempting a field goal before halftime.

Dre’Mont Jones

Let’s not overlook the importance of Dre’Mont Jones’ sack before halftime. That moment was crucial in securing the victory. Jones currently has four sacks this season and is on pace to surpass his career-high of 6.5.

Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II

These two defensive linemen were instrumental in drawing multiple holding penalties and played a significant role in containing Christian McCaffrey’s rushing attempts. Their contributions might not appear on the stat sheet, but they were vital in disrupting plays and clogging running lanes in the backfield.

Julian Love and Coby Bryant

Julian Love made a remarkable tackle for a loss against Deebo Samuel, which is quite an achievement given Samuel’s typical performance in such situations. Love had a rough outing in the first matchup against the 49ers, but he redeemed himself in this rematch. Meanwhile, Coby Bryant should remain the starting safety alongside Love. Although Rayshawn Jenkins may return from IR next week, I would prefer to see Bryant continue to start. While he may not be the biggest safety, the previous coaching staff was onto something when they transitioned him from slot corner to safety. His versatility and pursuit of ball carriers have been impressive.

Jason Myers

It cannot be overstated how crucial Jason Myers’ two successful field goals from over 50 yards were in the context of this game. The special teams have faced ups and downs this season, including Myers himself, but today he was spot on.

Mike Macdonald

This was a masterful performance by defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. It was only the second occasion that a Brock Purdy-led offense—excluding his injury-shortened NFC Championship game against the Eagles—failed to surpass 300 yards in a single game. Christian McCaffrey was held to under 80 rushing yards, and Deebo Samuel managed only 21 total yards. Purdy was limited to 146 net yards on 28 pass attempts, with just one pass play exceeding 20 yards and only two rushing attempts gaining more than 10 yards. All of Seattle’s significant challenges were met, although Jauan Jennings has emerged as a new threat. Historically, we have not witnessed any of Pete Carroll’s defenses come close to achieving this level of play against Kyle Shanahan’s offenses during their losing streak.

These last two divisional games have served as a crucial test for halting offenses that have typically troubled the Seahawks. While the defense allowed a game-winning touchdown in overtime against Los Angeles, their overall performance in this matchup was commendable. In summary, the defense was outstanding against the 49ers.

Identifying Areas for Improvement

Zach Charbonnet

Zach Charbonnet struggled significantly in this game. His inability to consistently break through initial contact is concerning. A particularly troubling moment came when he failed to successfully chip block, resulting in Nick Bosa’s first sack of the game during the opening drive.

Following another lackluster performance with just four carries for three yards, Charbonnet is averaging only 3.5 yards per carry and has been outgained by Geno Smith in total yardage (222 to 217) and explosive plays. Such performance does not justify a second-round draft pick investment.

AJ Barner

AJ Barner has emerged as a pleasant surprise as a receiving tight end, which is not typically seen as his strength, yet his blocking still requires significant improvement. His failure to block effectively on a crucial fourth-and-one run with Charbonnet was evident when he did not engage with safety Ji’Ayir Brown. Additionally, Barner dropped a pass just before Geno’s interception, which could be attributed, in part, to his lack of focus while approaching the ball. As a rookie, he has room to grow, and I remain optimistic about his potential.

Ryan Grubb’s Short-Yardage Playcalling

Have the Seahawks even attempted a play-action handoff on third or fourth down and one this season? I find it perplexing why this has not been utilized. Moreover, it seems illogical for the Seahawks to use multiple personnel (two running backs, one tight end) effectively in short-yardage situations only to abandon that strategy during Charbonnet’s failed run.

While Grubb has committed to more under-center formations instead of relying solely on shotgun drops, this specific aspect of his situational play-calling needs refinement.

Third Down Defense Challenges

The Seahawks’ third-down defense was subpar, with the exception of Coby Bryant’s performance on the final drive. San Francisco converted 7 of 11 third downs, including several critical conversions of 10+ yards to Jauan Jennings. Historically, the Seahawks have been strong on third downs this season, but they allowed the 49ers to control long, clock-consuming drives that hindered the game flow for both teams.

Key Takeaways and Future Outlook

  • Anthony Bradford may not have officially given up a sack, but he effectively allowed one on the final drive by permitting immediate pressure, forcing Geno to step up right into Leonard Floyd’s grasp. Additionally, he committed a drive-stalling false start to end the half. Overall, not much negative was observed from him or Abe Lucas.
  • Olu Oluwatimi performed well, aside from a high snap that Geno could have caught, marking a solid second career start for him. The 49ers’ lack of blitzing made life a bit easier for the offensive line in pass protection. I look forward to analyzing the offensive line performance once the All-22 footage is available.
  • Welcome back, Abe Lucas! He has been on a snap count limitation, and I’ll admit I wasn’t fully attentive when he was substituted by Michael Jerrell. The real test will be whether his knee can withstand the coming weeks and whether he can increase his conditioning to play all snaps.
  • Charles Cross seemed to struggle against both Yetur Gross-Matos and Leonard Floyd. While it wasn’t his best performance, Laken Tomlinson came through with the crucial block that allowed Geno to rush for the go-ahead touchdown.
  • Kenneth Walker III faced minimal space to maneuver, which is frustrating since he excels when given room. Nonetheless, he still managed to reach the end zone, marking his seventh rushing touchdown of the season. He even showcased his strength by body-slamming Deommodore Lenoir.
  • The Seahawks only committed four penalties, one of which was a procedural delay of game. This represents significant improvement in discipline across all three phases of the game. It’s intriguing how winning can come from avoiding self-destructive mistakes.
  • The Seahawks may need to consider new kick and punt returners for the upcoming week following injuries to Laviska Shenault Jr. and Dee Williams. It appears Dee’s injury could be more serious.
  • The journey is far from over. The season hinges on the next three weeks. If the Seahawks can sweep the Arizona Cardinals and secure a victory against the struggling New York Jets, they will be in a prime position to contend for the NFC West title. Arizona is playing excellent football on both sides right now, and the Seahawks must be disciplined when facing the run threat posed by Kyler Murray. The euphoria of this victory might fade quickly, but for now, it feels fantastic to celebrate a win over the 49ers once again. Join me on Monday for the Enemy Reaction recap.

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