49ers cede NFC West lead to Seahawks amid 3-game slump

A 31-17 loss to the Bengals has the 49ers adrift in the NFC West. While they have time to turn it around, the Seahawks have taken full advantage to take first in the division.

Perhaps lost in the smoke after a very frustrating 31-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, is that the San Francisco 49ers have not only lost ground in a suddenly very competitive NFC but also given up control of the NFC West after the Seattle Seahawks leapfrogged them after winning 24-20 over the Cleveland Browns this week.

Read More: 49ers skid continues as Brock Purdy and Co. fail miserably vs. Bengals


The Niners have suffered the price for regression, as well as unfortunate injuries to key players, and the onus is now on them to, at the very least, reclaim the division. Luckily it's not all bad news, with the team well aware they had to chase down the Seahawks after a similar slump after eight weeks last season (and did so relatively easily in the end).

To do so, however, the 49ers must help quarterback Brock Purdy out of his form slump.

Purdy was reasonably good for three quarters, but some horrible turnovers with the game on the line again condemned the team. As well as Purdy, the defense needs to find new life after once again being toothless for the majority of the game, except for the two-sack performance of defensive tackle Arik Armstead.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks know the pressure is on them for the team to perform. If the rumor is to be believed, the team seeks additional defensive help as the trade deadline approaches. If the team went all in to get someone like EDGE Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders or Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain, that would certainly be of help on the defensive front.

But deadline-day trading aside, the in-house adjustments need to happen for Shanahan and Wilks as well. If they don't, the hopes of a sixth Lombardi trophy may be lost amid what is fast threatening to be a disappointing season.