Week 15 Post Game Review: 49ers at Seahawks

By Scooter_McG

And your 2022 NFC West division winners are... the San Francisco 49ers!!!

Brock Purdy and the 49ers made it 7 wins in a row by taking down the Seattle Seahawks on the road 21-13 on Thursday Night Football. It was once again a masterclass by Demeco Ryans and the defense as they smothered the Seahawks offense throughout the game, allowing a measely 4.5 yards per play. Geno Smith was able to complete more than 70% of his passes yet still only managed 4.4 yards per pass attempt. The 49ers allowed next to nothing down the field all night and were consistently getting receivers to the ground almost immediately for short gains. 

Nick Bosa was his usual disruptive self, but the return of Armstead the past few weeks has really brought a consistent menace from the pass rush. They aren't necessarily putting up big sack numbers every week but offenses are being forced to get rid of the ball quickly which is a key factor in the defensive success. 

The coverage was also exceptional with the DBs and LBs making life difficult for all of the Seahawks receivers. Metcalf in particular was well handled by Ward throughout the night. For the game only 1 of the 10 Seahawks receivers that saw a target ended up with an average yards per reception above 10 - Will Dissly took his lone reception for 13 yards. 

The defense came up with a key turnover late in the first half to help the 49ers take control of the game, with Jimmie Ward and Dre Greenlaw combining on a tackle of Travis Homer that knocked the ball loose. Charvarius Ward scooped the ball and nearly took it to the house, and two rushes later McCaffrey put the 49ers up 14-3. The defensive performance could have been even better if Greenlaw and Hufanga had been able to hold onto balls they got both hands to in the first half. 

The offense took something of a back seat in this one, doing just enough to keep the team ahead as the defense took over the game. 

Despite playing through a rib and oblique injury, Purdy was once again highly efficient and very poised throughout the game, making a number of very good decisions and well placed throws that got the offense rolling. His stat line again, while solid, doesn't look amazing, which is more a testament to how the 49ers controlled the game than a statement on his performance. 

As with last week, the vast majority of Purdy's contribution came in the first 31 minutes of the game. As with last week, a big play by Purdy to start the third quarter put the 49ers well in control of the game, this time a deep pass to Kittle on a busted coverage for their second touchdown connection of the game. But this week, Purdy was also needed to make some plays down the stretch to maintain their lead and close the game out; he came through for the 49ers like a seasoned veteran. 

With every passing week of solid performances by Purdy, the story goes from waiting for the other shoe to drop to one of believing this team has a chance to go all the way with Purdy at the helm. 

McCaffrey had another big day as well, as the mid-season trade continues to look like a good one for the 49ers. CMC went over 100 yards rushing for the second straight week, adding another 6 catches as well. Aside from his first game as a 49er against the Chiefs where he was limited after just a couple of days to get acclimated, McCaffrey has been a key cog for this offense and it is no coincidence the team has gone 7 straight wins with him as a focal point on offense.      

It's always a great feeling winning the division and securing a playoff spot. Even more satisfying when it happens by beating the Seahawks. This was a great team win.

And while I don't like making players play on a short week for TNF, the flip side is the 49ers now find themselves in the enviable position of having a 10 day rest before their next game - they effectively get a mini-bye week just a few weeks before the playoffs. And now that they have secured the division, and also ensured they finish no worse than the 3rd seed in the NFC, they are also now in a position where they do not need to unnecessarily risk or rush players back from injury for three more weeks.