Seahawks Lead 10-3 at Halftime Despite Dominating Offensive Performance

The Seattle Seahawks have outplayed the San Francisco 49ers in nearly every aspect of the game in the first half, yet they hold a narrow 10-3 lead at halftime. Despite outgaining the 49ers 196 yards to 69 and not having punted yet, the Seahawks’ struggles with execution have kept the 49ers in the game.

Seahawks’ Missed Opportunities Early On

Seattle started off strong but was stifled by some early missed opportunities. On their opening drive, the Seahawks reached a first-and-goal at the 49ers’ 1-yard line, only to fail on fourth-and-1 and turn the ball over on downs. Despite the missed chance, the Seahawks’ defense stepped up immediately, forcing a quick three-and-out from the 49ers and giving Seattle good field position at the San Francisco 35-yard line.

From there, the Seahawks capitalized on a strong run from Zach Charbonnet, who broke free for a 27-yard gain to help set up Seattle’s first touchdown, giving them a 7-0 lead.

However, after a promising 10-play, 53-yard drive, Seahawks kicker Jason Myers missed a 47-yard field goal attempt wide right. That drive had taken Seattle all the way to the San Francisco 29-yard line, but the miss kept the score at 7-0.

On their next drive, Seattle was able to redeem itself. A nine-play, 33-yard drive set up a 45-yard field goal by Myers, extending the Seahawks’ lead to 10-0.

49ers Struggling to Find Momentum

On the other side, the San Francisco 49ers have struggled to find any offensive rhythm. The 49ers’ offense has had trouble moving the ball, with two three-and-outs on their first two drives. Their third drive ended in a turnover on downs after reaching the Seattle 39-yard line, unable to capitalize on the promising field position.

The 49ers did manage to put points on the board before halftime, however. After a nine-play, 30-yard drive, they were able to get into field goal range, and Eddy Pineiro nailed a 48-yard field goal as time wound down, putting the 49ers on the board at 10-3 with 1:06 remaining in the first half.

Key Players and Stats

The Seahawks have seen contributions across the board in the first half. Zach Charbonnet has been the standout on the ground, running for 60 yards on 9 carries, while Kenneth Walker has added 50 yards on 9 carries. Through the air, rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has had a solid performance, catching four passes for 52 yards, while quarterback Sam Darnold has been efficient, completing 10-of-13 passes for 98 yards.

The 49ers have seen limited production from their offense. Brock Purdy has completed 10-of-13 passes for 47 yards, with Jauan Jennings leading the team with three catches for 19 yards. Christian McCaffrey has had a quiet first half, only registering six touches for 25 yards.

Injury Concerns for the 49ers

In addition to their offensive struggles, the 49ers are dealing with an injury concern. Linebacker Dee Winters was questionable to return after suffering an injury to his left ankle, which occurred when he was stepped on by offensive lineman Josh Jones. Winters was escorted to the locker room before the first half ended, and his absence could be a factor as the 49ers look to adjust their defense.

What to Expect in the Second Half

With the Seahawks having outgained the 49ers significantly, the 49ers are fortunate to be within striking distance. Seattle has dominated time of possession and yardage but has yet to put the game out of reach due to missed opportunities and some inconsistency in the red zone.

For the 49ers, it’s a matter of finding a spark on offense. Purdy and the offensive line must find a way to open up lanes for McCaffrey and create more opportunities for Purdy to stretch the field, especially considering the limited success they’ve had in the passing game so far.

For Seattle, continuing to run the ball effectively and getting Smith-Njigba involved will be key. They’ll also need to make sure Darnold stays efficient and avoids any costly mistakes that could give the 49ers a chance to capitalize on their turnovers.

Conclusion: Close Game, Still Anyone’s to Win

Despite outgaining the 49ers by nearly 130 yards, the Seahawks have only a 10-3 lead at halftime. Their inability to fully capitalize on red-zone opportunities has kept the game within reach for San Francisco. Both teams have plenty to clean up in the second half, and with a one-possession game, it’s still anyone’s contest to win.

The 49ers will need to rally in the second half to capitalize on their opportunities, while the Seahawks must ensure they finish strong and turn their yardage advantage into more points to seal the win.

With Dee Winters’ injury and offensive struggles on both sides, this game will likely come down to which team can execute better in the second half and make fewer mistakes.