Tomsula said that even after seven games, the 49ers are a still an evolving team.
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What Happened: Points are usually at a premium when these two teams meet, as they both tend to rely on their defenses. In the second half Thursday night, the Seahawks offense had five drives. The 49ers let running back Marshawn Lynch run for 122 yards on 27 carries, and Lynch scored the game’s first TD via brute force. But despite dominating on offense, Russell Wilson was still sacked five times and he threw two interceptions in which he tried forcing the ball into double and triple coverage – something we’re not used to seeing from him.
The 49ers dropped to 2-5 and collected 142 yards and eight first downs in another display of offensive ineptitude.
Another stat that can’t be ignored is that the four teams the Seahawks have lost to are 19-3, and the three they have defeated are 5-14.
“Through the 2015 season, the Seahawks have been playing differently on defense. What was once an aggressive, intimidating, suffocating unit, now seemed to be full of players who were out of place in new schemes that didn’t fit their talents”, writes SI.com’s Doug Farrar. “In this game, though, there was a lot more man coverage, with Seattle’s cornerbacks pressing San Francisco’s receivers, and throwing off the timing between Kaepernick and his receivers”. And Seattle’s defensive front absolutely poleaxed the 49ers’ offensive line, taking Kaepernick down six times. While Kaepernick can at times be brilliant – he was very good the previous week in a win over Baltimore – he is at his worst against Seattle.
It was the first time this season “Hayne Plane” did not take flight. But they are talented and we didn’t match that intensity today.
San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, October 22, 2015. Assuming they beat the Cowboys, the Seahawks will be 4-4 going into their bye week.
After that Dallas game, the Seahawks won’t have to get on a plane for 33 days.
Jim Tomsula said he and his staff are reassessing the 49ers top to bottom but that he is not considering a change at quarterback or among his assistants. “This team is three years removed from the Super Bowl and they put out this product”. He was under pressure and missed throws all day long.
The Seahawks’ winning streak in the series started with the NFC championship game in January a year ago, which propelled them to a Super Bowl victory. They aren’t. Seattle is a shadow of its former self. Thursday was an opportunity to right a sinking ship against a feeble opponent.
San Francisco’s 55 yards in the first half were the fewest allowed by the Seahawks defense in an opening half since Week 17 of the 2013 season against St Louis. Colin Kaepernick is many things but one of those things is not a competent quarterback. The Seahawks’ quarterback already has 251 rushing yards this season, and has topped 40 rushing yards in three games this season.
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Whether it was a little extra motivation from Carroll or just a few of the veterans on this proud Seattle squad speaking up, the Seahawks looked on this evening like a team that could compete once again for the NFC crown. He went 13-of 24 attempts for just 124 yards during the game.
