Jimmie Ward gifts Seahawks points with dumbest penalty of 2023
By Mike Luciano
![Dec 24, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (1) Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports Dec 24, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (1) Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b1843019dbd2946fa3c2a1e5d0db88d590609d3a086915fe4365f7b52fd16c2a.jpg)
Unlike most No. 7 seeds that are facing off against No. 2 seeds in the Wild Card round, the Seattle Seahawks are not a team that Jimmie Ward and the San Francisco 49ers should take lightly. All of their regular season matchups need to be totally thrown out of the window.
After mustering just 13 points in their first two games of the year against Kyle Shanahan’s squad, Seattle has come out firing with 17 points in the first half of their road matchup in Santa Clara, showing that Geno Smith is not afraid of DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
The way in which they recorded the final three points of that half, however, was completely embarrassing for one of the most well-coached teams in the league. Smith decided to scramble for yards with a few seconds left on the clock, and that’s when all hell broke loose.
Ward decided to slam into Smith when he was beginning his slide, giving Seattle a free 15 yards. Jason Myers connected on a 56-yard field goal that put the underdog Seahawks up when the first half ended. That 17-16 scoreline is unsightly, especially considering what huge favorites the 49ers were.
What is Jimmie Ward trying to prove here??
— CJ (@LuridRaider) January 14, 2023
pic.twitter.com/dZsRPwoS4O
49ers DB Jimmie Ward gave San Francisco 3 points.
While linebacker Dre Greenlaw was getting washed out of running plays by Kenneth Walker III and a motivated Seattle offensive line, the biggest culprits for the defense’s poor performance have been the cornerbacks. Both Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir have been less than amazing.
Metcalf was locked up well in the first two games, but his long touchdown shows that there’s only so much that Ryans can do to stop someone with his skills. Leaving him isolated without safety help over the top likely wasn’t the best coaching decision from this staff.
When compounded with mental errors from Ward, the thought of an upset from Seattle is looking more likely. Smith led the league in completion percentage and threw 30 touchdowns for a reason, and the 49ers may find out why if they don’t play more disciplined football.
Jimmie Ward was flagged for a late hit, which put the Seahawks in range for a FG to put them up 17-16 at half. pic.twitter.com/1TTaZpxDZ8
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 14, 2023
Brock Purdy may have found the end zone, but there’s no guarantee that he is going to come out firing for the rest of the game, thanks to his inexperience in situations like this. The defense needs to win this game for San Francisco, lest they keep getting roasted on social media and in the press for their shortcomings.