SEATTLE — The San Francisco 49ers preserved their unbeaten record Sunday afternoon, capitalizing on four Seattle turnovers to outlast the Seahawks 32-29 at Lumen Field.
Eddy Pineiro delivered the winning points on a 44-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining in regulation, NBC Sports reported. Seattle mounted a final drive across midfield, but the comeback bid stalled when officials ruled wide receiver Cooper Kupp came up inches short of the marker on a fourth-and-10 reception near the sideline. Replay officials upheld the ruling on the field to seal the victory for San Francisco.
Turnovers swing momentum
The NFC West battle turned on mistakes, as the two squads combined for seven turnovers and eight sacks, according to NBC Sports. The 49ers converted Seattle’s four turnovers into 21 points, mounting touchdown drives that covered just 18 and 11 yards.
San Francisco’s defense also scored directly when defensive end Gracen Halton recovered a fumble by Seattle running back George Holani in the end zone for a touchdown. Cornerback Renardo Green played a starring role in the secondary, intercepting Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold twice and breaking up three passes, Sports Illustrated reported.
Linebacker Fred Warner added 10 tackles and a forced fumble, while linebacker Dre Greenlaw was ejected following an out-of-bounds hit on Darnold and a subsequent altercation with an unsheltered Seattle player, Sports Illustrated noted.
Purdy connects with Evans
Despite missing several injured starters, including defensive lineman Nick Bosa and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco generated just enough offense behind quarterback Brock Purdy. Purdy completed 19 of 29 passes for 189 yards, tossing two touchdowns and one interception, NBC Sports reported.
Wide receiver Mike Evans served as Purdy’s primary target, catching seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. Running back Christian McCaffrey added 68 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt. However, the 49ers suffered another key injury when wide receiver Deebo Samuel exited the contest with a hamstring ailment, according to Sports Illustrated.
San Francisco’s offensive line conceded three sacks, breaking Purdy’s streak without taking a sack through the first four games of the campaign.
Seattle comes up short late
For the Seahawks, the defeat marked their second loss of the season, both heavily influenced by ball-security troubles. Seattle dropped to 3-2 after also coughing up three turnovers in a Week 3 loss to the Washington Commanders, Seahawks Wire reported.
Darnold went 18-of-29 for 195 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Seattle managed 89 yards on the ground, led by Emanuel Wilson’s 61 yards and a touchdown on 20 attempts. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba hauled in five receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown, though he dropped a pivotal third-down pass on the Seahawks’ final drive moments before Kupp’s fourth-down stop, NBC Sports noted. Kicker Jason Myers kept Seattle competitive throughout the afternoon, converting field goals from 49, 50, 43, 48 and 40 yards.
Seattle faces a quick turnaround, heading on the road to face the Denver Broncos on a short week. San Francisco moves forward at 5-0 and sits alone atop the NFC West, though the severity of Samuel’s hamstring injury remains unclear heading into Week 6.
