The 49ers took their first loss of the year to the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 in overtime.
Here are five takeaways from a tremendous contest at Levi’s Stadium:
49ers still in first place
After all that, the 49ers are still the top team in their division and the NFC. Seattle is only a half-game behind them in the West at 8-2, while San Francisco dropped to 8-1. And the Saints’ loss to the Falcons put them at 7-2, so the 49ers still sit a full game up on them. It was a heartbreaking loss to a division rival, but not the end of the world.
Missing George Kittle
Kittle’s absence was felt early when the 49ers offense bogged down after a hot start. The threat Kittle poses as a blocker and receiver makes so many things possible for San Francisco’s offense. His absence made them less effective in a slew of ways, and Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t have his favorite target. They need him back as soon as possible. Ross Dwelley, Kittle’s replacement, had three catches for 24 yards.
Drop problems
Drops were a huge issue for the 49ers on Monday. Kyle Juszczyk dropped a deep ball over the top. Dante Pettis failled to bring in a would-be first down as well. Kendrick Bourne had a pair of drops — one that led to an interception, another that would’ve put them in position for a game-winning touchdown instead of a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation. Marquise Goodwin had one on San Francisco’s first series that would’ve given them a first down deep in the red zone. The 49ers needed their receivers to step up with Kittle out, and they did the opposite.
Injury bug bites again
It was hard to keep track of all the injuries the 49ers suffered Monday. Emmanuel Sanders left with a rib injury in the second quarter. D.J. Jones exited around the same time with a groin injury. Ronald Blair III hurt his knee and was carted off after sacking Russell Wilson, and several other players missed time before re-entering the game. That’s an even more significant problem with the short week and the Cardinals visiting Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.
Offensive line struggles
Getting their two starting tackles back was supposed to help buoy the 49ers offense. Instead, Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey both had up-and-down showings in their return to action. Staley was playing his first game since Week 2; McGlinchey had been out since Week 5. Jadeveon Clowney wrecked the 49ers line all night and helped keep Garoppolo under duress. The 49ers quarterback was sacked five times and lost two fumbles. It was perhaps the worst showing of the year by the offensive front.
