San Francisco 49ers: 3 Takeaways vs. Seahawks in Week 2

The San Francisco 49ers came very close to winning in Seattle for the first time since 2011, here we look at three takeaways from their Week 2 loss.

After games against the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers are 0-2. That should not surprise anyone, but the 49ers helped raise some eyebrows by running the Seahawks extremely close before falling to a 12-9 defeat in game that provided a window into where this team is in its rebuild.

The 49ers failed to claim a first win in Seattle since 2011, but here we look at three takeaways from an encouraging showing.

3. The defense is legitimately good

Even against a wretched Seattle offensive line, it was an extremely impressive performace from the 49ers defense. DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead, Solomon Thomas, Aaron Lynch and Tank Carradine all had success against the Seahawks’ O-Line, keeping the pressure on Wilson for the entire game.

Armstead, Lynch and Carradine all had sacks while Buckner, per Pro Football Focus Refocused, logged nine total pressures and two run stops. The run defense again appeared substantially improved from the debacle of 2016, with Chris Carson not getting anything significant going until the fourth quarter as the defense began to tire.

In the secondary the 49ers may have benefited from some drops by Seahawks receivers but safeties Jaquiski Tartt, Jimmie Ward and Eric Reid all played well, nickel corner K’Waun Williams also impressed and Rashard Robinson could have had two interceptions.

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Through two games against a pair of teams considered contenders in the NFC, the 49ers are on average allowing 299.5 yards. That is good for ninth in the NFL. There is a long way to go for this team, but the defense looks like a top-10 unit again.

2. The 49ers have a 1-2 punch, and a capable OL

Carlos Hyde loves playing the Seahawks and, if the 49ers had kept feeding him and Matt Breida the ball the result may well have been different. Hyde broke off two big runs — including a career-long 61-yarder — en route 124 yards on the ground, averaging 8.27 yards per tote. He now has two successive 100-yard games in Seattle and is on pace for 1,352 rushing yards and 1,760 scrimmage yards.

Having emphatically responded to the pressure put on him in the offseason, the 49ers should quickly move to lock Hyde down to an extension. And they can do so safe in the knowledge that they have a legitimate one-two punch after undrafted free agent Breida put up 35 yards on four carries, showing his elusiveness and quickness in the process.

The 49ers have long needed somebody to spell Hyde and keep him fresh. They now have that in Breida, and San Francisco may also have assembled a capable offensive line.

While the defensive performance comes with the caveat that it was against the Seahawks offensive line, only allowing five pressures — per PFF Refocused — versus Seattle’s fearsome defensive front represents a remarkable showing.

#49ers RT Trent Brown again had "clean sheet" pass blocking. LT Joe Staley’s overall grade was better due to strong run-blocking, per @PFF.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 18, 2017

Tackles Joe Staley and Trent Brown continue to impress, the latter not allowing a single pressure, while Laken Tomlinson gave up just two hurries making his first start after replacing the inept Zane Beadles at left guard, per PFF (h/t NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco).

San Francisco has a running game and a seemingly competent offensive line that can survive in the most intimidating of atmospheres, which makes the struggles in the passing game even more frustrating.

1. Brian Hoyer is holding this team back

The 49ers produced a strong performance on the ground and were stingy on defense throughout, but they were denied a shock victory largely because of the play at quarterback. Hoyer again struggled to see the field, somehow failing to spot Bobby Wagner as he was intercepted by the linebacker. He also was responsible for a sack because of his poor play in the pocket and showed next to no capability to push the ball downfield.

Indeed, Hoyer threw for only 99 yards and completed none of his three passing attempts over 10 yards, per PFF Refocused. There were drops by receivers while the 49ers had a very strong case for a roughing the passer the call that would have given them a fresh set of downs on the drive where they took the lead, but the buck for the passing game struggles stops with Hoyer.

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Through two games, he is yet to pass for a touchdown and has committed three turnovers. Hoyer has shown nothing to suggest his experience in Kyle Shanahan’s system is an advantage and his position as starter should be called into question should he fail to improve in the coming weeks.