Seahawks Halftime Observations: 49ers Playing Rude Guest on Thanksgiving

Flat out dominated on offense, defense, and special teams, the Seattle Seahawks laid an egg as if it was Easter as the San Francisco 49ers raced out to a 24-3 lead on Thanksgiving night behind two Christian McCaffrey touchdowns.

Here are three quick observations from an atrocious half of football at Lumen Field:

1. Geno Smith doesn't look healthy and offense has as many turnovers as first downs.

Over the past three days during a short preparation week, Smith's status had been up in the air after suffering a bruised tricep against the Rams on Sunday, but he ultimately started despite a questionable designation. While his health may not have been the biggest problem, the veteran quarterback was rattled from the outset, nearly getting picked on two contested throws on Seattle's opening drive. On the next possession, he tripped over running back Zach Charbonnet on a play fake and was sacked at the one-yard line, nearly stumbling to a safety. Making matters even uglier, he put his hand in the cookie jar one too many times and Ambry Thomas intercepted him on an out route to Tyler Lockett on the fourth drive.

By the time the second quarter expired, the Seahawks had as many combined sacks and turnovers as first downs, converting zero out of four third down opportunities. Outgained by 175 yards in the half, a number that would have been far worse if not for Smith completing four passes on the final drive of the half, they may have been more effective at moving the ball by simply not showing up at the stadium and staying home with their families.

2. Explosives by McCaffrey and friends continue to rip Seattle's defense apart at the seams.

While the Seahawks couldn't do anything on offense, they also were more than charitable allowing chunk plays both in the pass and run game in the first 30 minutes. Immediately out of the gate, McCaffrey ripped off 14 and 27-yard gains as a receiver and runner to advance the 49ers into the red zone, setting up a touchdown run by Deebo Samuel to give the visitors a quick 7-0 lead. While they wound up forcing a punt thanks to a holding penalty and tackle for loss by Leonard Williams, Samuel had two 20-plus yard receptions on the next drive where he came wide open.

Building a commanding three-score lead, San Francisco finished the half with seven combined explosive plays and also converted on four out of eight third downs, having their way bullying the opposition any way they deemed fit. McCaffrey led the charge with 104 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, while Samuel paced the passing game with 70 yards on five receptions. The polar opposite of the home team, Kyle Shanahan's crew played efficient football in all phases, turning a much-anticipated game into a laugher early.

3. A rare Dee Eskridge sighting stands out as the only positive in a dreadful half.

On a night where Seattle has been outclassed in all ways, shapes, and forms by a superior team, Eskridge picked a random night to shine. The oft-injured receiver led to the team's only three points by himself, rocketing through a small crease for a 66-yard kick return after San Francisco's initial touchdown, setting Smith and the offense up with amazing field position at the opposing 33-yard line. Unfortunately, they didn't take advantage of his efforts by moving the ball one yard on three plays before Jason Myers booted a 51-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3.

Going three possessions before picking up a first down on offense, Eskridge took the honors of ending the drought flying around the corner on a jet sweep for a 10-yard gain. But once again, the play proved all for naught, as Smith got intercepted on the very next play trying to thread the needle to Lockett with excellent coverage by Thomas against him on an out route.

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