49ers Bounce Back with Gritty Win Over Seahawks to Stay in NFC West Hunt

As the San Francisco 49ers held a commanding 20-point lead over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night, linebacker Fred Warner couldn’t shake the eerie sense of déjà vu. After back-to-back losses in which they blew double-digit leads, the Niners once again found themselves clinging to a narrowing margin.

With the Seahawks roaring back into the game, scoring 14 unanswered points, the 49ers faced the unsettling reality of a 6-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. After their previous collapses against the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals, Warner admitted doubt briefly crept in. “It sucks, but yes, it was something that felt familiar for sure,” Warner said. “We can stand tall and get the game we need or fall into the same trap we’ve seen in the last couple of losses.”

This time, the 49ers stood tall.

Despite a rash of injuries and a controversial replay decision, the 49ers held on to defeat the Seahawks 36-24 in a game that felt like a pivotal turning point in their season.

A Must-Win for the 49ers

Heading into Week 6, San Francisco acknowledged the significance of the matchup. A loss would have left them at 2-4, winless in the division and conference, putting their postseason hopes in jeopardy. However, the victory evened their record at 3-3 and positioned them in a tie with Seattle atop the NFC West.

“We’ve had some hard losses, and when you lose those division games, they really sting,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “These last two losses reminded us how the NFL works. You can never feel too comfortable.”

The 49ers’ ability to stay composed in the face of mounting pressure showed a resilience that had been lacking in previous weeks.

Battling Through Injuries

San Francisco’s injury woes have been a season-long narrative. The 49ers were already missing key contributors like running back Christian McCaffrey, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and safety Talanoa Hufanga. On Thursday, their bad luck continued. Cornerback Charvarius Ward was a pregame scratch due to a knee injury, and rookie safety Malik Mustapha, filling in for Hufanga, left the game with an ankle sprain after securing an early interception. Running back Jordan Mason also injured his shoulder but still managed 73 rushing yards before being limited for the remainder of the game.

Despite the growing list of absences, the 49ers’ depth players stepped up. “We’ve been hit hard with injuries, but you’ve got to find a way to keep fighting,” Shanahan said. “The guys out there today really showed what they’re made of.”

Overcoming Controversy and Capitalizing on Turnovers

In the second half, the 49ers thought they caught a break when Seahawks punt returner Dee Williams appeared to fumble the ball, which the Niners recovered deep in Seattle territory. However, a review upheld the ruling on the field due to a lack of conclusive evidence. “We thought for sure they’d overturn it,” Shanahan said. “But you have to play through adversity, and that’s exactly what we did.”

San Francisco’s defense forced key turnovers when it mattered most. Cornerback Renardo Green, stepping in for the injured Ward, snagged his first career interception in the fourth quarter, leading to a touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to George Kittle. Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo also broke off a 76-yard run that effectively sealed the victory.

“We’ve been in a lot of big games, and we’ve learned how to handle these situations,” Kittle said. “The young guys stepped up in a big way.”

Looking Ahead: A Date with Kansas City

The 49ers now face a daunting task: a matchup against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. Though nobody in the 49ers’ locker room is calling it a must-win, the importance of the game is clear. San Francisco has never beaten Kansas City since Shanahan took over, including two Super Bowl losses.

“We know what kind of team they are. They’ve got one of the best quarterbacks in the league and a great coach,” Warner said. “We’ll enjoy this win, but we know the challenge ahead.”

The 49ers may not be seeking payback for past Super Bowl heartbreak, but there’s no denying the desire to keep their momentum rolling as they approach a pivotal stretch of the season.