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Seahawks vs. 49ers: The Good, Bad & Ugly from San Francisco in Week 17

By Peter Panacy

January 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly (right) instructs quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly (right) instructs quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (88) is congratulated by wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (18) for scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (88) is congratulated by wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (18) for scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Good

One might not think it possible, but the 49ers actually had a 14-3 lead in the second quarter.

And while the Niners have been known to cough up leads and momentum — they did — it was refreshing to see San Francisco, at times, effectively moving the ball on offense against a stout Seahawks defense.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick looked as if he got the ghost of Seattle games past off his back. In what might be Kap’s final game in a 49ers uniform, the quarterback went 17-of-22 for 215 yards, a touchdown against zero interceptions and an overall 122.3 passer rating.

His quick-strike throw to tight end Garrett Celek for a nine-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was also solid:

Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley also wasn’t taking any plays off and managed six catches for 61 yards, including an impressive one-handed grab to help set up Celek’s touchdown.

And second-year receiver DeAndre Smelter got on the board with a 23-yard reception — his first at the NFL level.

Defensively, rookie defensive end Ronald Blair was a force and will likely be a piece around which the 49ers can build this offseason.

Who also could forget San Francisco’s shifty punt return, when Kerley tossed a lateral to special teamer Raheem Mostert in the fourth quarter?