By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Seahawks lacked execution at critical moments in season opening loss to Niners

The Seahawks came out on the short end of a closely contested battle with their NFC West rivals due to an inability to make the big play when needed. The Seahawks have their share of big plays in the game, but some costly self-inflicted wounds offset them in the 13-17 loss to the Niners

SLOW START AS USUAL

As expected, the Seahawks’ offense started the game with another slow start. A three-and-out by the Seahawks offense quickly gave the ball back to the Niners, who had deferred after winning the game-opening toss. For the record, the last time the Seahawks scored on an opening drive  was against the Niners in Week One of last season. On Sunday, it was the Niners who scored on their opening drive. Brock Purdy’s five-yard pass to George Kittle gave the visitors a 7-0  lead.  The touchdown pass play was short, but the drive itself was exhausting for the Seahawks’ defense. The  14 play 95-yard drive eats up 8:22 of game clock.  The Seahawks then answered with a drive of their own.

SEAHAWKS ANSWER

 Sam Darnold engineered a 10-play 69 drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Zach Cahrbonnet.  The Seahawks drive eat up 5:05 of game clock. Stout defense play by both sides saw both offenses struggle to score until the last two minutes of the half.  With 6:06 left in the half, Purdy led a Niners drive that stalled at the Seahawks ‘ eight-yard line with one minute left in the half. Jake Moody‘s 27-yard field goal hit the left upright and bounced to the turf.   Darnold took advantage of the miscue and engineered an 8-play 50-yard drive that ended with a 48-yard field goal by  Jason Myers and left just five seconds left in the first half.

BIG THIRD QUARTER BY THE DEFENSE


The Seahawks’ defense came out of the halftime break intent on tipping the game in their favor. The defense did its part, but it was the  Seahawks offense that lacked the same desire and execution. In the quarter Ernest Jones intercepted  Purdy’s pass intended for  Jauan  Jennings at the Seahawks 22 yard line . All the offense had to show for the gift from the defense was a three-and-out.  The second squandered gift by the offense  was a blocked field goal by Julian Love at the Seahawks 18 18-yard line. A  fumble by Jaxson Smith-Njiba on second and eight from the Seahawks’ 45 yard line gave the ball back to the Niners.

NINERS  CASH IN

Needing to get back in the game, the  Niners went back to their bread and butter.   They made sure to get the ball into Cristian McCaffrey’s hands.  Of the 11 plays that ended with a  Moody’s 32-yard field goal, McCaffrey had six touches.

After back-to-back three-and-outs, the Seahawks took a page out of the Niners ‘ playbook and ran the ball six times in the eight-play drive that ended with a 37-yard go-ahead field goal by Jason Myers.  Walker had four of the six carries, while  Zach Charbonnet and Darnold had one each.

LACK OF CONCENTRATION

Purdy showed his composure when he engineered a seven-play 68-yard touchdown drive that gave the Niners a 17-13 lead. In the drive, it was the Seahawks’ defense that showed a lack of composure. Giving Purdy to Ricky Pearsall for 45 45-yard reception on second and eight at their 33-yard line. Seahawks cornerback Ric  Woolen had a bead on the ball  but lost track of it once it neared Pearsall ‘s hands.

Woolen’s second transgression in the drive was on third and three at the Seahawks ‘ four-yard line. Purdy was flushed out of the pocket and at the last moment flicked the ball to tight end  Jake Tonges, who snatched the ball for a touchdown with  Woolen standing next to him. While it is easy to blame both plays on Woolen, the Seahawks defense needed to make a plays on the  Niners  game game-winning drive

“Finishing. Been preaching it all offseason. We’ve been working our butts off to finish and be in those positions today, we didn’t get it done. Today was their day, hats off to them. We’ll be better. We’ll correct these things, said Ernest Jones after the game.”

ONE LAST CHANCE

With  1:50 left in the game, the Seahawks offense came to life with Darnold throwing a 40-yard dart to Smith-Nijigba to the  Niners 14 14-yard line. After a  Walker run, Darnold fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Niners’ Nick Bosa with 36 seconds left in the game. The play ended an inconsistent day for the Seahawks’ offense

“I think the process is the process. It’s just going in tomorrow, looking at the tape, understanding how we can be better, understanding. Every guy looking in the mirror and saying, how can I be better. Nothing more than that, “ Said Darnold after the game.” I thought we had a really good week of practice. I thought we came out with the right intentions every single day. Just didn’t work out the way we wanted to on the field. We’ll be better that way and we’ll grow and continue to stride to be the best offense we can be.”

 THE BIG TAKE

The Seahawks lack finishing and consistency on both sides of the ball. When the offense was in rhythm, the defense made some simple coverage mistakes. When the defense made the plays needed to get the ball back to the offense, the offense made its share of undisciplined plays. After speaking with the players after the game, they admit the effort was lacking, and more importantly, they are committed to the continual improvement process.

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