Overview
- The 49ers held a 21–13 lead at halftime after forcing three Seattle turnovers and sacking Sam Darnold four times in a low-yardage, defense-driven first half.
- Each 49ers score came off a takeaway: Renardo Green’s interception set up a 2-yard Mike Evans TD, Fred Warner’s forced fumble led to a Christian McCaffrey score, and rookie Gracen Halton recovered a fumble in the end zone with 13 seconds left.
- Linebacker Dre Greenlaw was ejected in the second quarter after a sideline headbutt on Ernest Jones IV, and San Francisco must play the rest of the game without him.
- Seattle stayed within reach because of special teams and kicking: Jacob Cowing muffed a punt that led to a Seahawks rushing TD and Jason Myers hit field goals of 49 and 50 yards.
- Key second-half storylines to watch are whether Seattle can protect the ball and slow the 49ers’ pass rush, how San Francisco adjusts without Greenlaw, and questions for Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald about late-second-quarter clock decisions.