49ers vs. Seahawks: Live Week 2 thread for San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers visit the Seahawks in Week 2, and Niner Noise has your live in-game thread for all the action from CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

The San Francisco 49ers tried to end their losing streak up north against the Seattle Seahawks — one stretching back to December of 2011 — in Week 2.

San Francisco was coming off a 23-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers last week, and Seattle also fell to the Green Bay Packers on the road.

It wasn’t likely the Niners, who are not close to the same level the Seahawks, pulled off an upset here. But there were some things head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. can try to exploit.

First Quarter

After winning the coin toss and deferring, the Niners started off on defense. San Francisco nearly forced a 3-and-out, although Seattle picked up a key third-down conversion after missed tackles by cornerback K’Waun Williams and linebacker NaVorro Bowman on Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls.

Later on the drive, quarterback Russell Wilson managed to move the sticks on a fourth-down conversion with a keeper run to the left.

Seattle managed to move into the red zone but were forced to settle for a field goal to take the early 3-0 lead.

Meanwhile, the Niners went 3-and-out, including an overthrown pass from quarterback Brian Hoyer to a wide open Marquise Goodwin that went incomplete.

The 49ers defense clamped down the subsequent drive, forcing a 3-and-out in which EDGE Aaron Lynch managed to sack Wilson for the Niners’ first QB takedown of 2017:

Seattle was forced to punt.

But on the 49ers’ first play of the following drive, Hoyer tossed a silly interception to linebacker Bobby Wagner, who later fumbled but the ball was picked up by Seattle.

A week ago, Hoyer didn’t see Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, who picked off the Niners quarterback in a similar play.

At least San Francisco held Seattle to another field goal, putting the Seahawks up 6-0. It could have been much worse.

Rookie Victor Bolden managed a 32-yard kickoff return on his first attempt since making the 53-man roster. That’s a good sign, perhaps the best from San Francisco’s efforts thus far.

Second Quarter

The Niners managed just nine yards of offense during the first quarter.

They got a few more but weren’t able to pick up a first down, settling for yet another punt.

Seattle had to start up against its own end zone. But a key third-down conversion from Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett moved the chains.

SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks escapes safety Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

The 49ers managed to force a punt, though, and were still on the hunt for their first touchdown of the 2017 season. Maybe it would happen after a nice punt return from Trent Taylor.

Nope. Punt.

San Francisco’s defense managed to force a Seattle punt, but not before safety Eric Reid went down with an injury to his left leg. It was of the non-contact variety, so that could be a bad thing for the Niners.

Perhaps it sparked the 49ers offense, though, as running back Carlos Hyde managed a 61-yard pickup to put San Francisco in a position to take the lead late in the half.

It didn’t happen, though, as Hoyer was sacked on third down at the two-minute warning.

At least the Niners got on the board with a 41-yard field goal from Robbie Gould, making it 6-3 in favor of the Seahawks.

Hyde managed another long run to put the Niners back in the red zone with less than a minute remaining. And yet San Francisco couldn’t convert, settling for another field goal from Gould to tie the game.

Third Quarter

The Niners started off on offense after deferring in the first half. Hoyer nearly threw another interception almost identical to his first this game, although Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner was only able to deflect it.

San Francisco had to punt again, its fourth of the game.

The 49ers defense was holding its own, until linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong — in place for the injured Reuben Foster (ankle) — committed a 15-yard penalty for a tackle out of bounds.

And cornerback Rashard Robinson would have had an easy interception, had it not been for fellow corner K’Waun Williams jumping the route and deflecting the would-be turnover:

Such is life for San Francisco.

It got worse, as Reid — who made an attempt to come back from his previous knee injury — dropped to the ground on another non-contact play, holding his left leg again.

At least the Niners forced a punt.

But that punt pushed San Francisco deep in its own zone, nearly leading to a safety on Hoyer.

The 49ers avoided a safety, but they needed to punt after going 3-and-out. And the Niners defense returned the favor, forcing a Seattle 3-and-out as well.

The Niners couldn’t get a first down of their own, though, electing to run on third down to help with field position in the waning minutes of the third quarter. And San Francisco’s defense, thanks mainly to DeForest Buckner’s interior pass rush, forced yet another Seahawks punt in the final seconds of quarter three.

Fourth Quarter

It’s weird to consider, but the Niners were very much in the game to start the fourth quarter.

And they had the ball in anything but a blowout.

San Francisco managed to use its running game to get into the red zone, pushing deep into Seattle territory after solid runs by Hyde and rookie tailback Matt Breida.

The Niners would have kept the drive going, but wide receiver Marquise Goodwin dropped an easy pass that would have been a first-down play. Nevertheless, San Francisco took the lead on a 34-yard field goal — its first lead of 2017.

Leading 9-6, the 49ers defense looked to keep its momentum on track.

Wilson managed some nice scrambles, evading pressure. And this led to another Niners red-zone stand. But Wilson continued to do whatever he does, taking advantage of broken plays and finding wide receiver Paul Richardson for a go-ahead Seahawks touchdown.

But to make things interesting, Seahawks kicker Blair Walsh missed the extra-point attempt, making it just a three-point lead for Seattle.

San Francisco’s offensive drive stalled, forcing a punt with five minutes left in regulation.

The Seahawks started to take advantage of a tired Niners defense, that had been on the field nearly twice as much as that of Seattle.

And this eventually led to a Seahawks victory formation, dropping the 49ers to 0-2 to start the season.

Next: 49ers vs. Seahawks: Breaking down San Francisco's game plan

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