Seahawks Instant Reaction: 710 ESPN Seattle on 28-21 win over 49ers
Oct 3, 2021, 5:44 PM
Seahawks FS Quandre Diggs intercepts the ball during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Seahawks needed a win in Week 4 to avoid dropping three games in a row for the first time since 2011, and that’s just what they got with a rather thorough 28-21 win over NFC West rival San Francisco.
Seahawks beat 49ers 28-21: The numbers that stand out from the win
As we do after every Seahawks game, we have collected the instant reactions to the loss from 710 ESPN Seattle’s voices. Read what they have to say below, and tune in to 710 ESPN Seattle all day Monday for full Seahawks coverage beginning with The Mike Salk Show at 6 a.m. and The Pete Carroll Show at 9:30.
Mike Salk – The Mike Salk Show
Remember when hope was lost and the Seahawks were doomed? You should, because for many, that was a whole few hours ago.
What this team needed was a division foe, a rookie quarterback, and some vintage Russell Wilson magic. He needed just two plays to remind everyone that rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated, the first being when he ran into the end zone after scrambling out of trouble, and then the second when he pulled an old-school “Houdini” act to find Freddie Swain in the end zone.
.@DangeRussWilson hit 'em with the razzle dazzle 💫🙌
WE LOVE TO SEE IT
📺: #SEAvsSF on FOX pic.twitter.com/qgNGIxrDNg
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 3, 2021
The problems haven’t disappeared. The Seahawks still have defensive issues that a veteran quarterback (like, say, the Rams’ Matthew Stafford on Thursday) could exploit. They still struggle to stop the run, to get pressure on the quarterback, and to maintain their defensive assignments. But in the earliest must-win game in a season of Russell’s career, the Seahawks reminded everyone that they won’t go down without a fight, that you can’t win the game in the first quarter, and that they have one of the best quarterbacks in the game.
When you have that, you are very much alive.
The Groz – 710 ESPN Seattle host emeritus
After the first quarter, I would have bet a lot of money that the Seattle Seahawks were going to be buried by the 49ers. It was only 7-0, but the yardage difference was 169 to minus-3 while first downs were 9-0.
Some people, like me, never learn.
Jimmy Garoppolo threw a pick and the Niners missed a field goal, keeping Seattle in the game. Out of nowhere, Russell Wilson pounced. A 28-yard pass play to Alex Collins got the Hawks their first first down. Five plays later, the Hawks scored.
The next thing you know, the Seahawks’ defense wakes up, the offense keeps rolling and Seattle has an inexplicable victory.
The redemption for the Seahawks was total. The defense excluding a broken coverage in the third quarter was solid, even if it was against the Niners’ young backup QB. Russell Wilson generated two more long scoring drives. Special teams were just that, producing a key turnover that led to another score.
The Pete Carroll culture is about winning, and that was on display in San Francisco. Seattle is used to winning and the team does not panic when things aren’t going its way. Considering all the noise the Seahawks heard last week, this one had to be a little extra satisfying.
Mike Lefko – Producer, Wyman and Bob
Russell Wilson has still never lost three games in a row in his career, and what a wild concept – not panicking only three games into a 17-game season.
Division games bring out the best in teams and the Seahawks turned in an inspired defensive effort (except for one play) with their first interception of the season and keeping the game in reach in the first half by forcing the 49ers to punt on five consecutive drives.
The offense also solved its biggest issue: scoring points in the second half. A seven-play, 66-yard drive in the third quarter looked reminiscent of the strong drives to open games against the Colts and the Vikings. Mixing in play-action and a couple of runs to Chris Carson provided the balance to keep the 49ers’ defensive line off Russell Wilson, who took advantage of what the defense gave him with a couple of big runs, including the 16-yard scramble for a touchdown.
He's running, he's diving, and @DangeRussWilson is IN FOR THE TOUCHDOWN!
SEAHAWKS LEAD 🙌
📺: #SEAvsSF on FOX pic.twitter.com/WDBkuG6TDc
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 3, 2021
We had not yet seen these halftime adjustments from offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, and there will continue to be a learning curve for the first-time play caller. But to have that one now in-hand will certainly add to the confidence and understanding of how the offense counters what adjustments opposing defenses make at halftime.
Turnover margin is critical in any game, especially on the road, and it’s not a coincidence that the strongest performance of the season comes when the Seahawks finish plus-2 today thanks to the Quandre Diggs’ interception and a timely fumble forced by the special teams unit.
The offensive numbers don’t look good on paper, but there are no bad wins in the NFL, especially in this division.
