Seattle Seahawks Served Up Plate of Embarrassment in Thanksgiving Loss to San Francisco 49ers
Still right in the middle of the NFC playoff hunt, the Seattle Seahawks had a huge chance to secure a signature Thanksgiving win on Thursday at Lumen Field against the San Francisco 49ers.
But instead, the 49ers are walking away with turkey legs in one hand and a crucial division win in the other after handling the Seahawks with ease in a 31-13 victory. The 49ers (8-3) now take a two-game edge over Seattle (6-5) in the NFC West.
"They come out and play hard but we play them harder, that's all it is," 49ers linebacker Fred Warner said after the game on why San Francisco has had Seattle's number in recent seasons.
Star running back Christian McCaffrey powered the 49ers with 19 carries for 114 yards and two first-half touchdowns.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) and linebacker Randy Gregory (5) tackle Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) on a rushing attempt.
© Joe Nicholson, USA TODAY
The final score was not indicative of how convincing the win was for San Francisco, as the Seahawks offense continued its season-defining struggles and inconsistencies. Seattle's only touchdown of the night came on a gift-wrapped 12-yard pick-six from Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks. Aside from that, the Seahawks offense didn't do enough to make things interesting late.
Seattle quarterback Geno Smith finished 18 of 27 passing for 180 yards and one interception. The Seahawks allowed Smith to be sacked six times while the offense got into the red zone just once, but turned it over on downs.
Rookies Jaxon Smith-Njigba (two catches, 41 yards) and Zach Charbonnet (14 carries, 47 yards) led Seattle in the receiving and rushing categories, respectively.
Brooks' touchdown gave the 12s at Lumen Field some hope that a holiday comeback was in store, but the Seahawks offense was unable to ride any positive momentum. A fourth-quarter touchdown from 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy to Brandon Aiyuk put a nail in Seattle's coffin.
Purdy finished 21 of 30 passing for 209 yards, one touchdown and one pick.
The Seahawks will visit the Dallas Cowboys (8-3) on Thursday.
