49ers drop to .500 as Geno Smith runs in game-winning touchdown to buoy Seahawks
Geno Smith got it done on Sunday afternoon.
Smith led the Seattle Seahawks on an 11-play, 80-yard drive and capped it with a pair of long runs to lift Seattle to a stunning 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks’ victory snapped a six-game losing streak against their NFC West rival, and moved the Seahawks to 5-5 on the season, which keeps their playoff hopes alive and well.
San Francisco, meanwhile, drops to 5-5 and lost Nick Bosa late in the game due to a hip injury, per head coach Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers were already without tight end George Kittle due to a hamstring injury, and have been plagued by numerous other injuries this season.
With less than 20 seconds left Sunday, Smith broke out on the left side of the field after avoiding a sack and snuck into the end zone. That sent the Seahawks back into the lead and eventually lifted them to the three-point win.
The 49ers appeared in control of the game down the stretch, and they took the lead in the fourth quarter after Brock Purdy threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings. The 49ers stuffed the Seahawks on a short fourth down a few minutes after that score.
But after the Seahawks came up with a quick stop and forced a punt, Smith took off. He found DK Metcalf for an 11-yard gain on the first play of that drive, and he hit Jaxson Smith-Njigba four times for 38 yards on the winning drive to move them into scoring position. Smith then set up his final run with a 16-yard scramble.
Purdy completed 21 of 28 passes for 159 yards with a touchdown and an interception for San Francisco, which has lost for the third time after blowing a fourth-quarter lead this season. Christian McCaffrey had 79 yards on 19 carries, and Purdy ran in a 10-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Jennings had 91 yards and a touchdown on 10 catches.
Smith went 25-of-32 for 221 yards with an interception for Seattle. He had four carries for 29 yards on the ground. Kenneth Walker III had 54 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Smith-Njigba had 110 yards on 10 catches.
While the win was critical for the Seahawks’ playoff hopes — they’ve been to the postseason just once in the past three seasons — both they and the 49ers are still trailing the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West standings. The Los Angeles Rams also hold a 5-5 record after their win over the New England Patriots on Sunday, too, which should make the division race tight down the stretch. Based on how the rest of the conference is shaking out, a divisional title may be the only way for any NFC West team to earn a spot in the postseason.
The Seahawks will host the Cardinals next week, and travel to Arizona for a rematch in three weeks, in a pair of games that will very likely determine how they finish in the division.
For now, all that matters for Smith and the Seahawks is that they got the win on Sunday against the Niners. That kept them in the hunt.
