49ers fall 20-17 to Seahawks on game-winning drive in mistake-filled slugfest

The latest chapter in the 49ers-Seahawks rivalry will be one the Seahawks will cherish -- and one the 49ers will be eager to erase as soon as possible.

On a day where the 49ers shot themselves in the foot repeatedly with nine penalties for 54 yards, the Seahawks came from behind with a last-minute drive to come out of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara with a 20-17 win, snapping a six-game losing streak to the 49ers and marking their first win in the series since 2021.

It was the first career win over the 49ers for Seahawks for quarterback Geno Smith, who ran for the game-winning touchdown after throwing for 221 yards and one interception on 25-of-32 passing. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy finished with 159 yards, one touchdown and one interception with five carries for 40 yards and one touchdown.

First Half

The game opened with a three-and-out from the 49ers, then the Seahawks put together a nine-play, 44-yard drive that ended with a field goal from kicker Jason Myers to take a 3-0 lead. The Seahawks moved inside the 49ers' 30-yard line on the drive on a 20-yard completion from Smith to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but the drive stalled when defensive end Nick Bosa sacked Smith for a seven-yard loss on a 3rd-and-9 play, forcing the Seahawks to settle for a 52-yard field goal.

The 49ers then took a 7-3 lead after a 12-play, 71-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown run from Purdy. After a 22-yard completion to wide receiver Jauan Jennings put the 49ers in Seahawks' territory eary in the drive, the 49ers moved steadily downfield before facing a 1st-and-Goal at the 5-yard line. The 49ers took a five-yard loss on that play with a sack, then Purdy escaped the pass rush on the next play with a scramble around the right side that culminated with a dive across the goal line.

The following possession ended in a punt for the Seahawks after a seven-play drive, but they got the ball right back when a short pass from Purdy was tipped into the hands of defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins for an interception. The 49ers' defense once again moved the Seahawks backwards with a third down sack (this one from defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos), but Myers was able to connect from 57 yards to bring the Seahawks within one point at 7-6.

The 49ers took over at their own 27-yard line with just under nine minutes remaining, then embarked on an unusual drive that saw them take seven minutes off the clock while only moving 26 yards in 11 plays. The 49ers advanced to the Seahawks' 34-yard line with two minutes left in the half, then moved backwards after right tackle Colton McKivitz was flagged for a false start and then gave up a sack to defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones. The Seahawks forced a punt, then took over at their own 9-yard line with 1:41 left on the clock before eventually being forced to punt near midfield. The 49ers had one more possession with 24 seconds left in the half and moved the ball towards midfield before time expired in the second quarter.

The half ended with a 152 to 104 advantage in total yardage for the 49ers, who also held the ball for over 18 minutes in the first half compared to under 12 for the Seahawks. The 49ers outgained the Seahawks 82 to 29 on the ground in the first half, while the Seahawks held a slight 75-70 edge through the air.

Second Half

Things started off well in the second half on defense for the 49ers, who got an interception on the third play of the half from cornerback Isaac Yiadom. The interception set the 49ers up at the Seahawks' 27-yard line, but after their initial first down on the possession, the offense shot themselves in the foot with a holding penalty on guard Aaron Banks at the 16-yard line, followed by an illegal formation penalty, which put the 49ers in a 1st-and-25 situation. Eventually the 49ers settled for a 33-yard field goal from kicker Jake Moody to open up a 10-6 lead.

The Seahawks responded with their first touchdown drive of the game -- an 11-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a touchdown run from running back Kenneth Walker. Bosa's second sack of the game put the Seahawks in a 2nd-and-17 hole to start the drive, but a 26-yard third down completion to wide receiver DK Metcalf put the Seahawks in 49ers' territory. Walker later ran in from one yard out to put the Seahawks up 13-10 late in the third quarter.

The 49ers answered with a touchdown drive of their own, albeit one where they once again found themselves in a situation where they had to overcome a key penalty. Purdy connected twice with Jennings earlier in the drive, including a 14-yard completion on a 3rd-and-11 play, then they had to deliver on another 3rd-and-11 at the Seahawks' 21-yard line following a holding penalty on center Jake Brendel. Two plays after that third down conversion, Purdy found Jennings in the end zone for a three-yard score and a 17-13 fourth quarter lead.

It was the defense's turn to step up next with two clutch stops that kept the Seahawks from turning their next drive into points. The Seahawks took over at their own 30-yard line with 9:33 to play, then drove to the 49ers' 37-yard line, where they faced a 3rd-and-1 with just under five minutes to play. But after a run up the middle from Smith was stopped for no gain on third down, the 49ers came up with a fourth down stand when they stuffed running back Zach Charbonnet for a turnover on downs with just under four minutes left in the game.

The Seahawks forced a punt after the turnover on downs, which led them to take over at their own 20-yard line with just under three minutes remaining. They moved to the 49ers' 21-yard line before taking their final time out with 39 seconds remaining, then after an 8-yard completion to Smith-Njigba, Smith ran in from 13 yards to take the lead and give the Seahawks what would eventually be the game-winning touchdown.

The 49ers took over with 12 seconds remaining but failed to move the ball much, fittingly ending the game on a play where they were called for offensive pass interference. Both teams stand at 5-5 after Sunday's game, one game back of the Arizona Cardinals (6-4) in the NFC West.

Game Notes: The interception by Hankins was the first of his 12-year NFL career... Bosa, who was battling a hip injury coming into the day, was unable to finish the game... Next up for the 49ers will be a road game in Green Bay against the Packers, which will kick off at 1:25 p.m. PT/4:25 p.m. ET next Sunday (FOX).