GAME REVIEW

OFFENSE

The 49ers moved the ball at will in the first half, with Christian McCaffrey adding two rushing TDs to run his season tally to 11, a new single-season record for the franchise. Deebo Samuel kept his streak of strong games against the Seahawks going, snagging a season-high seven passes and rushing for a TD. Brock Purdy was more understated in his efficiency than in last weekend’s passing perfection, and his fourth-quarter 28-yard TD strike to Aiyuk added to his deep-passing cred. Less happily, the 49ers’ offense was also responsible for Seattle’s lone touchdown, on Purdy’s third-quarter pick-six.

DEFENSE

The 49ers’ defensive backs had a brilliant game, with Charvarius Ward & Co. effectively keeping Seattle star receiver DK Metcalf from ever becoming a factor and Ambry Thomas picking up an interception. The defensive line overpowered the Seahawks for six sacks, headlined by two from Nick Bosa and 1.5 by Javon Hargrave, as well as 12 quarterback hits. The final score understates how effective the Niners were on defense; Seattle scored its first-possession field goal after a 66-yard kickoff return after getting just a yard from scrimmage, and scored its lone touchdown on Purdy’s interception.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Mitch Wishnowsky placed three of his five kicks inside the 20 to contribute to a game that afforded Seattle few opportunities as far as field position, and Jake Moody made his lone field-goal attempt and all four extra points. Rookie Ronnie Bell came up with the ball as part of a special teams swarm ready to pounce after Seattle punt returner DeeJay Dallas fumbled. Less happy was allowing Dee Eskridge’s 66-yard kick return that set up Seattle’s first field goal.

COACHING

Despite coming up empty on offense in the third quarter (and allowing Seattle’s lone TD on Purdy’s INT), the game featured lots of positional gamesmanship from Kyle Shanahan blended with plenty of pure power football while trusting the defense to wreak havoc on the short-handed Seahawks. The grade here belongs as much to Steve Wilks and his staff; the Seahawks may have had to play with Geno Smith hurting and their lead back out, but the defense came ready to shut down Seattle.

OVERALL

The game might have seemed over early once the 49ers built up their 24-3 first-half lead, but for anyone worrying about their front-runner rep, the defense did not let up in the second half, and Purdy’s strike to Aiyuk in the fourth quarter for the coup de grace was a nice touch in a game the 49ers dominated in every phase.