Quarterback Russell Wilson led the Seahawks to victory

Photo courtesy of Keith Allison, Wikipedia

Seattle Seahawks’ Jason Myers kicked a 42-yard field goal in overtime to beat the San Francisco 49ers 27-24, handing them their first loss of the season. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson led his team back from an early 10-0 first-quarter deficit. 

The 49ers scored twice in the first quarter: once on a 43-yard field goal by rookie kicker Chase Mclaughlin, and then again on a 10-yard pass from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to wide receiver Kendrick Bourne. Their defense, one of the best in the league, bothered the Seattle offense in the first half and sacked quarterback Russell Wilson five times in the game. 

The Seahawks got on the score sheet for the first time from a defensive touchdown by Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney, one of the league’s fiercest pass rushers, recovered a fumble and took it 10 yards into the end zone with 2:51 remaining in the first half.

Seattle dominated the third quarter, outscoring San Francisco 14-0. It looked like they had the game wrapped up with a 21-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter. It was not until DeForest Buckner recovered a fumble on a sack by Russell Wilson and took the play 12 yards for a touchdown. 

Garappolo completed a two-point conversion on a pass to Kendrick Bourne that cut the deficit to 21-18. Chase Mclaughlin proceeded to make his second field goal of the game and this was from 39 yards to tie the game with 6:17 left. Russell Wilson then led the Seahawks 47 yards on 11 plays, and this resulted in a 46-yard field goal by Jason Myers with 1:45 left. 

This wild game was still not over yet. Garoppolo led the 49ers 45 yards on 10 plays to set up another field goal attempt by rookie kicker Chase Mclaughlin. With 49ers fans holding their breath, the fate of their undefeated season on the line, he miraculously drilled the ball 46 yards to send the game to overtime. 

At the start of overtime, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson appeared to be driving his team for victory, a nine-play 61-yard drive, needing just a touchdown to end the game. It was finished off with an uncharacteristic interception which was well over the head of his intended target: tight end Jacob Hollister. 

San Francisco took over, needing just a field goal to win. After the 49ers drove the ball to the Seahawks 29 yard line, it was fourth down and one. The 49ers opted to attempt a game-winning field goal instead of trying to go for it and get themselves closer. 

Mclaughlin, who had been a perfect 3-3, missed the kick wide to the left; it wasn’t even close.

On the other end, Wilson was not going to make the same mistake twice. He drove the Seahawks 40 yards on just seven plays, setting up a game-winning 42-yard field goal for Jason Myers. 

Seattle improved to 8-2 and San Francisco dropped their first game, 8-1. San Francisco was the only remaining undefeated team in the league, but they still lead Seattle by a half-game in the NFC West. 

These teams both are on the fast track to a playoff spot. They will meet again: week 17, the final game of the regular season on Dec. 29 in Seattle. This matchup was hyped up as one of the most anticipated games of the year, and it certainly lived up to it.  

 

shenrici@ramapo.edu