SEATTLE – The Seahawks’ downtown amphitheater, arguably the NFL’s loudest, has haunted the 49ers in past visits.
A Super Bowl dream died here in the NFC Championship Game after the 2013 season. A 2004 shutout loss snapped the 49ers’ NFL-record scoring streak of 420 straight games. So many serious injuries, so many heartbreaking losses brought tears behind the double doors leading into the visitors’ locker room.
Sunday, the 49ers won their fourth straight game here, their best-ever stretch in this heated NFC West rivalry. Left tackle Trent Williams even said Sunday’s 17-13 victory was “sweeter” than their 2023 Thanksgiving Night triumph.
The 49ers’ first points came on a Brock Purdy touchdown pass to George Kittle, who then left with a hamstring injury. Who knew their final 11 points in a win would come from the two Jakes – tight end Jake Tonges and kicker Jake Moody?
Here are 10 things that jumped out at this launch point:
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) runs down the field with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
1. BOSA’S FABULOUS FINISH
This may be a prisoner-of-the-moment feeling but has Nick Bosa delivered a more timely defensive gem than his strip-sack fumble recovery with 36 seconds left to clinch the win?
Williams said it was a sweeter win in Seattle because, “they were knocking at the door, nine yards away and the clock was winding down.”
That was the 49ers’ only sack of Sam Darnold, and it came from Bosa – “he’s so strong,” Williams added — pushing right tackle Abraham Lucas into the former 49ers’ backup quarterback to dislodge the ball.
Bosa said it was a simple rush for a “grind of a game” for a raw defense. “It tested us in a lot of ways, so it was really good,” Bosa said. “Obviously, ending with a win is what we’re always aiming for, and the fact I was able to help is always great.”
Bosa celebrated with teammates by racing to the opposite end zone, then presented his prized football to defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, whom Bosa has said is dealing with unspecified personal issues.
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks during the game at Lumen Field on Sept. 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
2. THE SALEH EFFECT
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said he did not make any clever play call to spring Bosa for that grand finale.
“Just a great player making a great play,” Saleh said.
Bosa and the 49ers are overjoyed to have Saleh back, after he left in 2021 to become the New York Jets coach.
“He’s as good as any defensive coach in the league,” Bosa said. “You could just feel leading up to the game how important this is to him. He was trying to get everything perfect before we step on the field, even with a lot of young guys. He was a little nervous coming in. We all were.”
Added linebacker Fred Warner: “You’d be surprised throughout the week, he has little to no energy and is very stoic. He saves it all for game day and you can get rowdy and have fun on game day when you are executing at a high level.”
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (88) makes a touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
3. TONGES’ GRAND FINALE
Jake Tonges blushed rather than encourage comparisons between his touchdown and the most iconic play in 49ers history – “The Catch,” in which Dwight Clark caught Joe Montana’s high throw toward the end zone’s back right corner to launch a dynasty 44 years ago.
“Maybe some similarities. I don’t know,” Tonges said. “But that’s cool if people are saying that.”
Tonges is a Los Gatos native and Cal product. He is well aware of the 49ers’ history, having been a part of it for a couple of years now (2023 practice squad, 2024 16-game special-teamer).
Purdy was unaware Tonges had no career receptions until three on the final drive, and Tonges credited Purdy for keeping the scoring play alive.
“I asked if he was throwing it out of bounds and he said, ‘No, I was just trying to give you a chance.’ So I appreciate him doing that,” Tonges said.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 07: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass against Coby Bryant #8 of the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter during the game at Lumen Field on September 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
4. TIGHT END PLAN
George Kittle’s hamstring injury is a big hit to the 49ers’ offense, seeing how he has been Purdy’s touchdown muse. Their opening-drive score marked their 21st touchdown together. But Kittle brings so much more, with his blocking prowess, leadership, and overall positivity.
Tonges and Luke Farrell are no slouches. They merely must become super-human until Kittle gets healthy, which likely won’t be in time for next Sunday’s game in New Orleans to replicate his 2019 fourth-down heroics.
At one point, Tonges and Farrell were confused Sunday as to who should be in, and Tonges said such personnel duties were discussed from halftime onward with Kittle done. “We try to slide right in there and have the level of play be as close as it can possibly be,” Tonges said.
The 49ers have Brayden Willis on the practice squad to elevate if Kittle is out multiple weeks.
Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the game at Lumen Field on Sept. 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
5. PEARSALL’S BIG PLAY
Ricky Pearsall delivered 108 yards on four receptions in his first season opener, having missed the first six games last year while recovering from a gunshot wound. His 45-yard catch sparked the winning drive, and it came about after he and others conjured up that play on the sideline.
“We had a curl route earlier in the game on the right side, in the same formation, and they were squatting on it. I felt him coming up,” Pearsall said of Riq Woolen. “The entire game, they like to play back. That’s what we knew watching film. On the sideline, we said, ‘We need to go deep one time. We need to hit someone on a double move.’ I mentioned that same thing and told them, ‘Let’s run a curl and go’ because they’re sitting on that play. Shanahan dialed it up and it won.”
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) makes a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
6. WIDE RECEIVER SHORTAGE
Jauan Jennings, fresh off landing a revised contract with $3 million in playing-time incentives, could be shelved with a left-shoulder injury. Cue: Kendrick Bourne?
Bourne, who parlayed his 49ers’ entrance into a Patriots’ payday, visited the 49ers a week ago before flying back east for the Commanders to examine his previously injured foot.
If Jennings’ shoulder is a serious issue, it compounds the problems at wide receiver, where the 49ers are missing Brandon Aiyuk (PUP list; knee), Demarcus Robinson (three-game suspension) and Jordan Watkins (high ankle sprain).
Jennings did his signature move and provided a third-down conversion on his first target Sunday for an 11-yard gain. He caught 2-of-5 targets overall for 16 yards, with one pass resulting in the first of Purdy’s two interceptions.
San Francisco 49ers place-kicker Jake Moody (4) kicks a field goal attempt that was blocked by Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
7. MOVE ON FROM MOODY?
Jake Moody’s erratic kicking isn’t new. It goes back to the end of his 2023 rookie season. So how much more can the 49ers take?
His walk-off winner in Tampa last season came after he missed his first three field-goal attempts to incite Deebo Samuel’s rage. Clanking a 27-yarder off an upright to open this redemption season? Unacceptable. Having a 36-yarder blocked? Not his fault, but poor protection, Shanahan said.
“No question” his job is safe, Shanahan said. But is it? Ha, no one’s job is safe in the NFL. Stay tuned.
8. RUN DEFENSE IMPROVES
The 49ers racked up seven tackles for loss, against a Seahawks offense under coordinator Klint Kubiak, who has tried replicating Shanahan’s run-oriented scheme. They managed just 3.2 yards per carry, none went longer than Sam Darnold’s 9-yard scamper. Kenneth Walker III had just 20 yards (10 carries) and Zach Charbonnet had 47 yards (12 carries).
“It was a scheme we were familiar with, the Kyle Shanahan tree,” Bosa said. “For the young guys, it was good because they’ve seen it in camp. Saleh’s the man. He calls it great. I need to watch it and don’t know what’s going on half the time in a game. But No. 1 is to stop the run.”
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 07: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after defeating the Seattle Seahawks during the game at Lumen Field on September 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
9. WARNER’S BLOODY RAGE
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Linebacker Fred Warner tallied a team-high eight tackles – and two gashes on his nose, the result of getting kicked in the face by Charbonnet on a run while Warner’s helmet hastened the damage.
“It was more so falling on his cleat that got me, and falling right on my stomach,” Warner said. “So, I just tried to let that subside for a bit. It’s all good.”
Warner gauzed up his nose and was back for the start of the second quarter.
“His nose was just leaking blood,” Bosa said. “I was like, ‘You OK? You don’t look OK.’ Whenever Fred goes down, I’m just waiting for him to come back because he’s a great player and had a great game. His leadership is right up there with Saleh’s. He’s a coach and the best linebacker in the league.”
10. NFC WEST RACE
Warner was caught off guard when asked about the importance of beating Seattle in Week 1 and not having a rematch until Week 18.
“It was extra motivation in that it was in the division, on the road, Week 1,” Warner said. “You understand when you’ve played long enough how big those division games are.”
Safety Jason Pinnock said of his 49ers debut, after previously playing for the Jets and the Giants: “It was a rollercoaster. Clearly I’m used to rollercoasters. I’m just happy I’m on the other end of it. I was just telling the younger guys, ‘Don’t take it for granted. It’s hard to win in this league.”
Only one NFC West team did not win Sunday: the Seahawks. The defending division champion Los Angeles Rams won at home 14-9 over the Houston Texans, and the Arizona Cardinals posted a 20-13 win in New Orleans, which is the 49ers’ next stop.
