Seahawks defeat 49ers on Sunday: Instant reaction

The Seahawks moved to 7-4 on Sunday. The 49ers fell to 1-10. After a sluggish first half, Seattle’s offense played well enough in the second to end any doubt by the fourth quarter. Now, Seattle has a tough three game stretch.

The Seahawks had another slow start on Sunday. Seattle led only 7-3 at halftime. Russell Wilson was struggling. Doug Baldwin had one catch and Tyler Lockett and Jimmy Graham zero. Thankfully, Seattle’s defense did just enough to keep the 49ers out of the endzone.

In the second half, however, Wilson began being Wilson again. He bought time and found receivers and threw touchdown passes. One was to tight end Nick Vannett, the rookie’s first touchdown reception.

Wilson’s second touchdown pass went to Jimmy Graham in the redzone. Wilson to Graham is much more familiar than in previous seasons. The only problem with this is that it seems it took the Seahawks three years to figure it out.

See how easy that looks? Crazy.

One of the players I thought needed to play well for Seattle to win was Frank Clark. Clark did have his best game in four weeks. Active all day long, the defensive end had two quarterback hits and a half sack.

Michael Bennett was still the Seahawks best defensive lineman, though. Bennett had four tackles, including a sack and a tackle for loss. Marcus Smith also had a sack. Branden Jackson had the other half of Clark’s sack.

Offense

Wilson at one time was 8 for 19. But the quarterback was 12 for 15 after that and finished with two touchdown passes and one touchdown running. If it weren’t for his first pass being intercepted, his line would look even better.

Eddie Lacy did not have a lot of yards (46) but did have 17 carries. He ate up clock in the second half, which is really what Seattle wants him to do anyway.

Paul Richardson dropped two passes but led the Seahawks in catches (4) and yards (70). Richardson is earning his second contract with Seattle.

Even without Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Shaquill Griffin, the 49ers were limited throwing the ball. C.J. Beathard threw 38 times but for only 201 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. And for the second straight week, Seattle held the opposing offense under 300 yards of total offense.

And Bobby Wagner showed once again he is the best linebacker in football. Wagner had eight tackles, two for losses and an interception when he literally ripped the ball from the receiver.

Up next

The next three weeks will make or break the Seahawks season, though. Seattle will host Philadelphia next Sunday, then go on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars before coming back home to play the Los Angeles Rams.

Related Story: We thought the Seahawks should sit Eddie Lacy, they thought differently

The Eagles, Jaguars and Rams all currently lead their divisions.