The San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks squared off in a hard-fought Week 1 battle at Lumen Field on September 8, 2025, with the 49ers narrowly edging out the Seahawks 17-13. As the dust settles, both teams are left with plenty to dissect—moments of brilliance, glaring weaknesses, and the inevitable overreactions that come with opening weekend in the NFL.
For the 49ers, the prevailing narrative is a defense that, on the surface, delivered exactly what fans and coaches hoped for. Allowing just 84 rushing yards on 26 carries (an average of only 3.2 yards per attempt), the defensive unit appeared stout. Linebacker Dee Winters, in particular, showed marked improvement, solidifying his role as a legitimate starter. Yet, a closer look at key Seahawks drives reveals that the run defense, while statistically impressive, still allowed Seattle to move the ball effectively up the middle at times. On a 69-yard touchdown drive, the Seahawks ran nine times for 30 yards (excluding a single negative play), averaging 4.3 yards per carry—a figure that hints at vulnerabilities reminiscent of last season’s struggles.
General Manager John Lynch’s offseason investments in defensive tackles Jordan Elliot and Kalia Davis were supposed to shore up the interior, but both saw limited impact in the opener. Instead, CJ West, in his 26 preseason snaps against starters, looked like the most disruptive force, prompting calls from fans for more playing time. As one observer put it, "I would like to see more of him." The message is clear: the 49ers’ defensive line rotation remains a work in progress.
On the back end, the 49ers’ pass defense was a tale of youth and promise. Rookie slot corner Upton Stout, thrust into action after missing preseason and much of training camp, struggled at times but flashed the potential that made him a draft-day target. The Seahawks targeted him early and often, but outside of a handful of chunk plays, Seattle’s passing attack was largely kept in check. Quarterback Sam Darnold completed only three passes over 10 yards until the game’s final drive, a testament to the coverage skills of corners like Deommodore Lenoir—who was rarely targeted—and Renardo Green, who made several key plays. Rookie safety Marques Sigle added six tackles, further highlighting the youth movement in San Francisco’s secondary.
The 49ers’ win was punctuated by a game-sealing forced fumble, a fitting end for a defense led once again by coordinator Robert Saleh. His return to the Bay Area was met with high expectations, and while the unit’s performance was far from flawless, it was enough to secure a crucial divisional victory. "It was wonderful to get the win, and especially to end it with a forced fumble, and especially-especially against Seattle and the obnoxious '12th man,'" one report noted, capturing the emotional stakes of this rivalry.
On the offensive side, the 49ers had their own share of ups and downs. Tight end George Kittle was a dominant force until leaving with an injury, while rookie kicker Jake Moody’s performance left much to be desired. But the focus was squarely on the defense’s ability to bail out a sputtering offense—something that will need to change if San Francisco is to contend deep into the season.
For the Seahawks, the postgame mood was one of frustration and introspection. The offensive line, already a question mark entering the season, was exposed early and often. Anthony Bradford, starting at guard, allowed defenders to penetrate the backfield before running back Ken Walker could even secure the handoff. Poor execution on the interior doomed several key runs, with both guards and tackles struggling to reach linebackers at the second level. Jalen Sundell, a preseason standout, couldn’t replicate his form in his debut, and recurring issues with stunts and pass protection left Darnold under siege.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Kubiak came under fire for a game plan that seemed unnecessarily complex and poorly adapted to in-game realities. The Seahawks ran play-action just twice, despite Kubiak’s offseason promises of a run-focused attack. Less than 41% of plays were run under center, and a series of failed screen passes netted a combined -7 yards. As one analyst observed, "He tried to create unnecessary additional complexity, and it didn’t work." The Seahawks’ offense managed just 234 total yards, with 124 of those coming through a single player—wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Smith-Njigba was both a bright spot and a source of frustration. He broke free from coverage repeatedly and was the focal point of Seattle’s attack, but also recorded a fumble, a drop, and a costly backward pass. Still, his ability to create separation and exploit defensive mismatches offers hope for a breakout season.
Quarterback Sam Darnold, meanwhile, faced criticism for accuracy issues and repeated mistakes from previous campaigns. He locked onto primary targets, missed open receivers—most notably Cooper Kupp on a potential game-winning touchdown—and failed to sense pocket pressure on critical downs. The final play, a fumble under duress, sealed Seattle’s fate and reignited debate over the team’s quarterback situation. Darnold’s performance was summed up succinctly: "Darnold isn’t the solution to the Seahawks’ problems."
Defensively, the Seahawks kept the team in the game as long as possible. Julian Love and Ernest Jones were standouts, with Love recording the team’s only sack and Jones forcing a turnover. The defensive line, led by Boye Mafe and Derick Hall, managed to pressure 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy—Trent Williams, the 49ers’ stalwart left tackle, allowed eight pressures, his highest total since joining the team. However, the defense struggled to convert pressure into sacks, and cohesion issues on stunts allowed San Francisco to escape several tight spots. Riq Woolen, a cornerback drafted in the Pete Carroll era, drew scrutiny for a lack of aggression on a key touchdown, continuing a troubling trend from last season.
Seattle’s defensive promise is tempered by concerns over depth and stamina, as a dysfunctional offense left the unit on the field for extended stretches. The lack of adjustments and questionable play-calling on both sides of the ball have already sparked calls for change, with fans and analysts alike demanding more from Kubiak and the coaching staff.
As both teams look ahead to Week 2, the 49ers can take solace in a gritty road win and a defense that made plays when it mattered most. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are left searching for answers—on the offensive line, under center, and in the meeting rooms where game plans are hatched. One thing’s for certain: after a wild opening weekend, both squads have plenty to prove as the season unfolds.
