Week 3 of the NFL season was very, very different for the Seattle Seahawks.
After totaling just 15 points and one offensive touchdown in the first two games against the Dolphins and Rams, the Seahawks nearly doubled that number in the first half alone in a 37-18 victory over NFC West rival San Francisco.
The Seahawks scored three touchdowns in that first half, with the players responsible for them each recording personal milestones.
Running back Christine Michael scampered 41 yards on the third play of the game for the first rushing touchdown of his NFL career. Michael, who started the game due to Thomas Rawls' absence (shin), followed that score up with another touchdown from four yards out on the next Seahawks drive. It marked the first time a Seahawks running back scored two rushing touchdowns in the same game since Marshawn Lynch (December 12, 2014), and the first time a Seahawks back scored twice in the first quarter since Shaun Alexander (October 16, 2005). The fourth-year back finished the game with 106 yards on the ground, which surpassed his previous career-high of 102.
Tight end Jimmy Graham also had a breakthrough game, catching his first touchdown pass of the season and first since nearly a year ago last year (September 27, 2015). Graham, who rehabbed his way back to the field after tearing his patellar tendon, was targeted by Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson nine times and finished the game with six catches for 100 yards.
The 49ers were outmatched 311-102 in total yards after the first two quarters and didn't convert a single third down (0-for-6). That didn't change a whole lot as the game progressed.
Wilson went 15-of-23 and passed for 243 yards on the day with the Graham touchdown. He left in the third quarter after an illegal horsecollar tackle by 49ers linebacker Eli Harold left him with a sprained knee. Rookie Trevone Boykin took over and played the rest of the way, going 7-of-9 and throwing for 65 yards and logging his first career touchdown pass.
The Seahawks defense didn't record a sack (they entered Sunday tied for second-most across the league in the category with 8.0), but they still created pressure and eliminated passing windows — with linebacker Bobby Wagner picking off Gabbert once for the team's first takeaway of the season.
The Seahawks (2-1) moved back over .500 on the season with the victory, and aim to register their first road win against the New York Jets next Sunday. Preparation for the roadtrip begins tomorrow at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
RELATED
- Russell Wilson Doing "Exceedingly Well" After Spraining Knee
- By The Numbers: Jimmy Graham, Christine Michael Shine vs 49ers
- Snap Counts: Seahawks vs 49ers
- Media React To Seahawks Win vs 49ers
- Christine Michael Continues "Really Good Story" With 2 TDs vs 49ers
- Seahawks "Played A Fantastic Game Of Defense," But "That's Not The Way They Want To Finish"
- Seahawks Offense "Executed At A High Level" vs 49ers
- Rapid Reaction: Seahawks 37, 49ers 18
- Jamal Crawford Raises 12 Flag
- Seahawks vs 49ers Highlights
Here are some 12s cheering on the Seahawks during Week 3 at CenturyLink Field vs the 49ers.
