49ers’ defense overcomes injuries to stifle Seahawks in second half
The Seahawks with backup quarterback Drew Lock never presented a championship-caliber challenge to the 49ers, but San Francisco still overcame a serious test on Sunday in Levi’s Stadium.
Despite several injuries, the 49ers’ elite defense remained stout.
The 49ers lost top cornerback Charvarius Ward (groin) on the first series of the game. Pro Bowl tackle Javon Hargrave also didn’t return after suffering what the 49ers hope is just a pulled hamstring. Linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Oren Burks also missed some time. San Francisco was already without Talanoa Hufanga — out for the season with a torn ACL — and Arik Armstead.
But defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ unit held tough, limiting the Seahawks to 16 points — about a touchdown below their season average. In San Francisco’s fifth straight win, a 28-16 cruise past Seattle, the 49ers’ (10-3) defensive depth was on display. The group turned Seattle (6-7) over twice, frustrated star receiver DK Metcalf to the point of ejection and moved into first place in scoring defense (15.8 points allowed per game) across the NFL.
“They were huge,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said of the defense. “Such a challenge going against their receivers. All of them, especially (Tyler) Lockett and DK. You know how good (Ward) has done versus them, especially versus DK here in the past. To lose him early in the game was stressful.”
After Ward’s injury, the spotlight was on San Francisco’s secondary. Ward has stabilized the unit that had already lost Hufanga and has been a relative weak spot; the 49ers rank 15th in opponent passing yards per game.
Ward had blanketed Metcalf in the first meeting between NFC West rivals, and the game plan once again called for Ward to check the massive wideout. The Niners could play Ambry Thomas opposite Ward, with Deommodore Lenoir in the slot.
Without Ward, though, everyone moves up a spot in the pecking order, including the previously benched Isaiah Oliver. Thomas and promising rookie Ji’Ayir Brown take on greater responsibilities.
It looked rocky at first. To tie the game in the first quarter, Metcalf beat Thomas one-on-one down the sideline for a 31-yard back-shoulder touchdown. As Ward tested out his groin on the sideline to no avail, Lenoir committed an illegal contact penalty while trying to track Metcalf.
Lock — the backup in Geno Smith’s place — started 16 of 22 for two touchdowns and no picks. He entered the afternoon with as many interceptions (21) as starts in his career, but took advantage of the 49ers’ shorthanded defense that didn’t record a first-half sack.
Then, once roles became more defined, San Francisco’s defense regrouped to shut down the Seahawks. Seattle’s second-half drive list went punt, punt, touchdown, interception, punt, interception. Thomas, who became the primary corner by default, and Lenoir, whom Shanahan described as “unbelievable,” limited Metcalf to zero second-half receptions.
“Guys held up, did what they’re supposed to do given one of our better players on defense went down,” veteran safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. told this news organization. “Next guys stepped up and just didn’t miss a beat. Guys did their thing against DK — he’s a premier receiver. (Lenoir), Thomas, they held up. That’s just the standard that we have here.”
The 49ers sacked Lock three times as their defense took control. Brown picked off Lock on an ill-advised deep shot to a double-covered Metcalf. Then two-time All-Pro Fred Warner basket-caught an underthrown attempt to Metcalf down the seam to seal the game.
“We had guys go down, losing (Ward) on that first drive was big,” Warner said. “Guys stepping up in times that we needed to. We’ve just got to continue to find ways to win, no matter what.”
For the sixth straight game, the 49ers registered at least three sacks and held their opposing quarterback under 300 passing yards. That’s a way to win
