By admin 
The San Francisco 49ers made a major statement on Sunday by going into Lumen Field and defeating the Seattle Seahawks in a down-to-the-wire affair, 32-29. It was much more of a defensive-oriented affair than the final score may indicate, especially given that the two teams combined for seven turnovers.
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Wide receiver Mike Evans was the star for the 49ers with 113 yards and one touchdown on seven catches, while running back Christian McCaffrey was efficient with 68 rushing yards and one touchdown on 11 carries. But the Niners became even more depleted during this game when wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. left in the third quarter due to a hamstring injury.
On top of that, tight end George Kittle wasn’t quite himself with just 24 yards on five catches. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said afterward that Kittle wasn’t 100% coming into this contest.
What was wrong with Kittle?
“He got sick last night, had some flu symptoms and stuff,” Shanahan said, via 49ers Webzone. “Loved him battling to get out there and go. You can ask him how much it affected him, but I think you guys know how that is.
“He felt like [expletive] today, but did a hell of a job getting out there, getting ready for the game, and helping us win.”
Of course, Kittle can impact a game in a positive manner even when he isn’t being a pass-catching threat. He’s an excellent blocker, and his physicality, both in terms of absorbing physicality and initiating it, sets the right tone for this team.
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In recent years, when the Niners have won a big game, they have usually won with defense. In this game, they forced Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold into two interceptions, and they also forced two fumbles, one by middle linebacker Fred Warner and another by rookie defensive tackle Gracen Halton.
Halton knocked the ball away from Seattle running back George Holani late in the second quarter in Seattle’s own end zone, then jumped on the loose ball to score a touchdown that gave San Francisco a 21-13 lead.
San Francisco is still undefeated and will return home to face the Washington Commanders next week on Monday Night Football. They will then visit the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7 before having their bye in Week 8.
The way their schedule is set up, the Niners may not lose a game until deep into November when they play the Minnesota Vikings and the Seahawks at home.
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This story was originally published October 11, 2026 at 10:48 PM.