'It Pissed Us Off!' 49ers Reveal Ankle-Twist Motivation in Beating Seahawks: Wild Card LIVE Game Log
The Seattle Seahawks headed south to California on Saturday for a Super Wild Card weekend matchup with division rival San Francisco at Levi's Stadium. ... and while Seattle was hoping to win its first postseason game since 2019 and to survive the Wild Card round for the first time since the 2014 season. ...
It didn't happen.
"We just love beating them,'' said Brandon Aiyuk after the Seahawks' 41-23 season-ending loss ... a loss that the Niners said was impacted by a bit of nasty Seahawks business.
“Why would you ever wanna piss off Deebo?” George Kittle said the 49ers got angry after Johnathan Abram twisted Samuel's ankle - and that the anger helped fuel their playoff win over the Seahawks.
Agreed Niners coach Kyle Shanahan: “I think that pissed a lot of people off. I think that pissed our team off and I think you could feel our team react to that.”
What was all the fuss about? This ...
Now, how did it all unfold? Follow along ...
The Seahawks have enjoyed a tremendous run from quarterback Geno Smith, who coach Pete Carroll named the starter ahead of Week 1, after trading away the face of the franchise in Russell Wilson in the offseason.
As unlikely as this playoff appearance might seem for Seattle, Smith thinks they've earned it.
"I would say it's not a fairy tale," Smith said. "I'd say it's very much reality, and where we are as a team is that we've been working hard. We put a lot of good stuff on tape as a team. I think we've came a long way since the beginning of the season, since training camp and OTAs, and it's all just a result of the hard work and all the repetition that everyone has put in.
"For us that's what it's about, sticking to the process, staying focused on the process, and making sure that's the main focus and everything else will take care of itself."
Live in-game updates will appear here after kickoff...
FIRST QUARTER: 49ers 10, Seahawks 0
The Seahawks will possess the ball to start the game and will begin the drive from their own 19 yard line.
Kenneth Walker starts the game with a nine yard gain and a one yard loss for a 3rd and 2 from the 28. Geno Smith is sacked for a loss of 10 to bring up a punting situation.
After gaining nine yards on first down, it turns into the three-and-out.
The Dickson punt goes 46 yards to the SF 36 where it's fair caught by McCloud.
Brock Purdy passes deep down the left side incomplete to Samuel, then finds Aiyuk for 19 yards to the SEA 45.
Samuel runs left end for 22 yards to the SEA 23 for a first down.
Timeout #1 by SF at 11:12 as the play clock was nearing zeros.
On 1st and 10, Purdy passes incomplete deep down the left side in the end zone for Jennings. Great coverage by SEA's Woolen. Samuel runs on second down for seven yards to the SEA 16 and a 3rd and 3 upcoming. Purdy misses Jennings in the middle of the field for a 4th and 3.
FIELD GOAL 49ERS: Gould is good from 34 yards for a 3-0 SF lead with 10:13 left in the first quarter. The scoring drive goes 48 yards in seven plays and took 2:22 off the clock.
Gould kicks off 64 yards to the SEA 1, and returned 37 yards to the SEA 38 by Igwebuike.
Walker runs up the middle for four, then Smith hits Metcalf in the left flat, pushed OB at the SEA 46 for a 3rd and 2. Smith runs for a loss of one yard for another three-and-out and a 4th and 3.
The Dickson punt goes 40 yards to the SF 15, fair caught by McCloud.
Christian McCaffrey runs off left tackle for 68 yards and is pushed OB at the SEA 17.
Elijah Mitchell is dropped in the backfield for a loss of three, then Purdy hits Mitchell across the middle for 18 and a 1st and Goal from the SEA 2.
Mitchell runs off left guard and loses a yard.
TOUCHDOWN 49ERS: Purdy passes short right to McCaffrey who is standing all alone at the five yard line and strolls into the end zone for the touchdown. The Gould extra point is good for a 10-0 49ers lead with 5:11 left in the first quarter. The scoring drive goes 85 yards in five plays and took 2:51 off the clock.
The Gould kickoff goes 65 yards to the goalline. It's returned 22 yards to the SEA 22 by Igwebuike. First down Seattle.
Walker runs up the middle for five, then Smith misses Metcalf deep down the middle of the field incomplete for a 3rd and 5. Smith hits Metcalf for 12 yards and a first down.
Smith passes short left to Lockett for seven, SF-D.Greenlaw was injured during the play. Walker runs for four and a new set of downs.
Walker runs for six then Smith scrambles for 11 to extend the drive.
Dallas runs up the middle for two, Smith throws short right to Parkinson who runs OB at the SF 27, then Smith hits Lockett for a first down at the SF 21.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER
SECOND QUARTER: Seahawks 17, 49ers 16
Direct snap to Dallas and he goes seven yards, Walker runs for two more for a 3rd and 1. SF-C.Omenihu was injured during the play. Direct snap to Walker who runs for five and a 1st and Goal from the SF 7.
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS: Walker runs off left end for seven yards and a touchdown. The Myers XP is good for a 10-7 49ers lead with 13:14 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 78 yards in 14 plays and took 6:57 of the clock.
The Myers kickoff goes to the end zone for a touchback.
On first down, Purdy finds Aiyuk for 23 yards to the SF 48.
McCaffrey runs off left tackle for a loss of two yards, then Purdy scrambles off left end for 13 yards to the SEA 41.
Purdy throws incomplete deep down the middle for Aiyuk, then finds Kittle for 14 yards to extend the drive at the SEA 27. SEA-D.Taylor was injured during the play.
Purdy passes short right to McCaffrey who gains 14 yards to the SEA 13.
McCaffrey runs off right tackle for a gain of one, then Brock Purdy is sacked for a loss of eight yards for a 3rd and 17 upcoming. McCaffrey runs off left end and is pushed OB at the SEA 5 for a gain of 15.
FIELD GOAL 49ERS: Gould is good from 33 for a 13-7 SF lead with 7:41 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 60 yards in 10 plays and took 5:33 off the clock.
The Gould kick goes 63 yards to the SEA 2, returned by Igwebuike for 27 yards to the SEA 29.
Smith passes short on the right side to Walker, and pushed OB at the SEA 32 for a gain of three. Smith then finds Fant short on the right side for a gain of 11, and pushed OB at the SF 49 for a gain of 11.
Walker runs off left end for a gain of eight to the SF 49, then runs right tackle for a loss of one and a 3rd and 3 upcoming.
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS: Smith passes deep down the left side for Metcalf for a touchdown. Myers extra point is good for a 14-13 Seahawks lead with 5:01 left in the half. Metcalf beat Ward on a simple go route. The scoring drive goes 71 yards in five plays and took 2:40 off the clock.
The Myers kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Purdy hits Samuel for a gain of seven, then McCaffrey runs for no gain for a 3rd and 3. Purdy misses Samuel across the middle incomplete. That's the first three-and-out for SF in the game.
On 4th and 3 in punt formation, SF-T.Moore, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at SF 32.
The Mishnowsky punt goes 57 yards to the SEA 16 and is returned for no gain by Dallas at the SEA 16 with 3:35 left in the half.
Walker runs for four yards, then Smith finds Metcalf who is pushed OB for seven more and a new set of downs here late in the first half.
Walker runs for two off right guard.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
Dallas runs off right tackle and is stuffed at the line, and on 3rd and 8, Dallas runs again and is stopped for no gain.
Timeout #2 by SF at 1:15
The Dickson punt goes 49 yards to the SF 23, fair caught by McCloud.
Purdy finds Aiyuk deep down the middle for 31 yards to the SEA 46.
Purdy then throws two incomplete passes, before he finds Samuel for 18 yards to the SEA 28 to extend the drive late in the half.
Purdy then misses on a pass deep down the left side while under pressure.
Timeout #3 by SF at 00:32
Purdy throws incomplete out of the end zone while under pressure, then on 3rd and 10, throws incomplete to Samuel in the left corner of the end zone.
FIELD GOAL 49ers: Gould is good from 46 yards for a 16-14 SF lead with 13 seconds left in the half. The scoring drive goes 49 yards in eight plays and took 55 seconds off the clock.
Gould kicks 41 yards to the SEA 24 (squib kick), returned by Parkinson for 14 yards to the SEA 38.
Smith scrambles to the right for nine yards and gets DRILLED helmet-to-helmet by Ward for a penalty. PENALTY on SF-J.Ward, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at SEA 47.
That enables a 56-yard field goal attempt at the end of the half.
Timeout #1 by SEA at 00:01
FIELD GOAL SEAHAWKS: Myers is GOOD from 56 at the end of the half for a 17-16 Seahawks lead as they steal three points before halftime. Then penalty on Jimmy Ward sets up the score for Seattle just before the half.
HALFTIME
Halftime Leaders
San Francisco:
Passing: Brock Purdy - 9/19, 147 yards, one touchdown
Rushing: Christian McCaffrey - five carries, 72 yards
Receiving: Brandon Aiyuk - three catches, 73 yards
Seattle:
Passing: Geno Smith - 9/10, 104 yards, one touchdown
Rushing: Kenneth Walker III - 13 carries, 54 yards, one touchdown
Receiving: DK Metcalf - four catches, 73 yards, one touchdown
THIRD QUARTER: 49ers 23, Seahawks 17
The Myers kick goes for a touchback.
Purdy hits Juszczyk for six yards to the 31, then McCaffrey runs for three more. On 3rd and 1, Purdy sneaks up the middle for three yards and a first down.
McCaffrey runs up the middle for no gain, then finds Kittle for 23 yards to the SEA 40 for a new set of downs.
Mitchell runs off right tackle for four, then gets stuffed behind the line for a loss of one for a 3rd and 7 upcoming. Purdy finds Samuel for 21 yards to the SEA 16. SF-D.Samuel was injured during the play.
Now things have boiled over and the teams are fighting in the middle of the field. No penalties were called.
McCaffrey runs up the middle for seven, then again for two more for a 3rd and 1 from the SEA 7. McCaffrey runs up the middle for five yards and a 1st and Goal from the SEA 2.
McCaffrey runs up the middle for a gain of one.
TOUCHDOWN 49ERS: McCaffrey runs up the middle for a gain of one and the touchdown. the Gould XP is good for a 23-17 49ers lead with 7:15 left in the quarter. The scoring drive goes 75 yards in 13 plays and took 7:45 off the clock.
The Gould kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Walker runs up the middle for two yards, then Geno Smith finds Metcalf in the second level on the right side, who runs to the SF 48 for a gain of 25 and a first down.
Smith passes to Parkinson who is pushed OB for a gain of five, then Smith misses Parkinson on the next play incomplete.
Timeout #1 by SEA at 05:26 as the play clock was running down.
On 3rd and 5, Smith hits Lockett for seven yards and a first down.
Dallas runs up the middle for three, then Smith has to throw the ball away under pressure for a 3rd and 7. PENALTY on SEA-C.Cross, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at SF 3
After the penalty, on 3rd and 12, Smith finds Metcalf for 13 yards to the SF 25 and a first down.
On first down, Smith finds Lockett for 10, OB at the SF 15.
Dallas runs up the middle for a gain of a yard. SEA-A.Blythe was injured during the play.
Smith hits Lockett for seven yards. PENALTY on SEA-D.Lewis, Ineligible Downfield Pass, 5 yards, enforced at SF 14.
On 2nd and 14, Smith misses Metcalf in the end zone, covered by Ward for a 3rd and 14 from the SF 19.
FUMBLE RECOVERY 49ers: Smith is sacked at SF 26 for a loss of seven yards by Omenihu. Smith FUMBLES, RECOVERED by Bosa at the SF 30 for no gain. First down San Francisco.
Purdy passes short across the middle to Samuel for a gain of 10 yards and a first down.
McCaffrey runs up the middle for nine yards, then again for 12 on 2nd and 1 for another new set of downs from the SF 49.
McCaffrey then runs off the left side and is caught behind the line for a loss of one.
END OF THE THIRD QUARTER
FOURTH QUARTER: 49ers 41, Seahawks 23
Purdy finds Jennings deep down the left side wide open for 33 yards to the SEA 7.
Purdy misses short across the middle for Mitchell with a misguided shovel pass.
TOUCHDOWN 49ERS: Purdy finds Mitchell for seven yards and a touchdown. The two-point conversion is good for a 31-17 Niners lead with 14:02 left in the game. The scoring drive goes 70 yards in seven plays and took 3:23 off the clock.
Gould kicks a yard deep in the end zone, returned by Igwebuike to the 19.
Smith passes short left to Metcalf for 15 yards and a first down.
Walker runs off right end for 10 yards. PENALTY on SEA-S.Forsythe, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at SEA 34 - No Play.
On 1st and 20, PENALTY on SEA-C.Cross, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at SEA 24 - No Play.
On 1st and 25, Smith passes incomplete deep dowm the left side to Metcalf just off his fingertips. On 2nd and 25, Smith passes short to Metcalf for four yards. Penalty on SEA-D.Lewis, Ineligible Downfield Pass, declined.
On 3rd and 22, Smith passes to Johnson for 10 yards.
The Dickson punt goes 60 yards to the SF 8, McCloud returns it 16 yards to the SF 24.
Purdy hits Samuel for two yards on first down.
TOUCHDOWN 49ERS: Purdy passes short on the right side to Samuel, who runs 66 more yards for the 75-yard touchdown. The XP is good for a 38-17 SF lead with 10:51 left in the game. The scoring drive goes 76 yards in two plays and took 54 seconds off the clock.
Gould kicks to the end zone for a touchback.
INTERCEPTION 49ERS: Smith passes deep right side for Lockett, INTERCEPTED by Lenior at the SEA 43, and returned six yards to the SEA 37. First down SF.
Mitchell runs off right tackle for no gain, then Samuel runs to the right, pushed OB at the SEA 34 for a gain of three. On 3rd and 7, Purdy hits Jennings for a gain of eight and a first down.
Mitchell runs up the middle on first down for a loss of one, then runs again for a gain of four. On 3rd and 7, McCaffrey runs for a gain of 10 and another fresh set of downs. SEA-R.Neal was injured during the play.
Mitchell runs for one then loses one for a 3rd and 10 from the SEA 12 upcoming. On 3rd and 10 Purdy scrambles for what seems to be half an hour then throws incomplete to the end zone for Aiyuk.
FIELD GOAL 49ERS: Gould is good from 31 yards for a 41-17 SF lead with 4:56 left in the game. The scoring drive goes 24 yards in 10 plays and took 5:49 off the clock.
The Gould kick goes 66 yards to the goalline, returned 25 yards by Igwebuike to the SEA 24.
Smith passes short middle to Walker for a loss of one. PENALTY on SEA-D.Lewis, Ineligible Downfield Pass, 5 yards, enforced at SEA 24 - No Play.
On 1st and 15, Smith hits Lockett for a gain of six, then Smith scrambled for a gain of nine for a first down.
Smith hits Metcalf for four then again for a gain of seven, and another first down from the SEA 45.
Smith hits Parkinson for five, then throws incomplete to Lockett for a 3rd and 5. Smith misses Parkinson for fourth down.
FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION SEAHAWKS: Smith passes short right to Johnson for five yards and a first down.
Smith hits Young who is pushed OB at the SF 34 for a gain of 11.
Smith passes to Johnson for a gain of 24 yards to the SF 10.
Smith misses Fant in the end zone incomplete, then hits Lockett for a gain of three. Smith is sacked for a loss of four.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION SEAHAWKS: Smith passes incomplete to Lockett. PENALTY on SF-S.Womack, Defensive Pass Interference, 8 yards, enforced at SF 11 - No Play.
Smith passes incomplete in the end zone to Parkinson.
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS: Smith passes to the short right side for Metcalf and a touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt fails for a 41-23 SF lead with 1: 48 left in the game. The scoring drive goes 76 yards in 15 plays and took 3:08 off the clock.
Myers tries an onside kick and it's recovered by McCaffrey at the SEA 47.
Mason runs off right guard and the 49ers run out the clock.
END OF GAME
***
Follow Timm Hamm on Twitter and Instagram
Hey, 12s! Get your Seahawks Tickets from SI Tickets ... HERE!
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Seahawks? Click Here to subscribe to AllSeahawks.com's Newsletter.
Follow All Seahawks.com on Twitter and Facebook
Want even more Seattle Seahawks news? Check out the SI.com team page here.
