49ers outlast Seahawks: Rapid Reactions

Stop me if you've heard this before. The San Francisco 49ers, facing a division rival, build a big lead and let the other team back in it. Fortunately, the 49ers held on this time, beating the Seattle Seahawks 36-24.

For now, the 49ers are in a first-place tie but hold the tie-breaker with the Seahawks. If the Arizona Cardinals win on Sunday, they will also be tied for first place. It's a long season, and things will change as the weeks move on. But the 49ers stopped the bleeding and have a chance to rest before hosting the Kansas City Chiefs a week from Sunday.

Here are my rapid reactions to Thursday's win in Seattle. These are my live observations as the game unfolded.

• Malik Mustapha has a long way to go, but I like what I see from him. With Talanoa Hufanga injured, Mustapha might be the team's best safety.
• Nick Bosa created the pressure that led to that Mustapha pick. More on him later.
• The 49ers offense has to get these red zone issues figured out. They're close, though.
• Deebo Samuel is good at football. When Samuel is rolling, the 49ers offense is usually rolling.

• Wow, a good play on special teams. A fumble recovery in Seahawks territory. Can the 49ers offense capitalize?
• Nope. Another field goal. But at least they scored something.
• These injuries are too much. Now Jordan Mason is injured. And he was having a great game. How can the team overcome all of these injuries?
• Purdy is a weapon with his feet. But he makes me nervous. If he goes down, the 49ers will be in trouble.
• The 49ers' pass rush has been more active in this game.
• Incredible job by the defense to hold the Seahawks out of the end zone on that goal-line stand late in the first half.
• Once again, special teams let the other team back in the game. I guess it was too much to ask for them to be good more than once in a game.

• Jake Brendel is terrible. I'm over him. Hopefully, Jon Feliciano will be back soon. But I don't expect the coaches to make a change. They like Brendel, even though he's the weak link on the offensive line. The 49ers need an upgrade at center, preferably now, but at least by next season.
• The 49ers are killing themselves with penalties. That's something they need to clean up.
• Patrick Taylor looks solid. I like how he finds and hits those holes when rushing lanes open. If Isaac Guerendo can figure that part out, he could be dangerous.
• I hope Jordan Mason is ok. The 49ers need him.
• The Faithful are loud in Seattle.

• Now Samuel and George Kittle are hurt. This is unreal.
• Thankfully, they came back in the game.
• Mitch Wishnowski and Matthew Wright have done their jobs. They're about the only ones on special teams who have.
• Renardo Green with a massive play. Great job by the rookie. That's two interceptions from rookie defensive backs in this game.

• That's one birthday and two touchdowns for Kittle. And that's despite dealing with an injury.

• Guerendo with the dagger. Huge play by the rookie.

• I'm not sure if Guerendo was caught from behind or if he just went down. But Samuel wasn't having it after the game. He should have scored.

• I wanted to see Guerendo get that final touchdown, but Kristin Juszczyk's husband deserves one, too. I believe his name is Kyle.
• The 49ers can't cover a kick to save their lives. I can't understand how they're this bad.
• Bosa terrorized Geno Smith. I love this. Not only seeing Bosa torment a QB but having it be Smith makes it even better.
• Sam Okuayinonu with his second NFL sack. Good for him!
• The defense was much better. We need to see a lot more of that. The 49ers offense will still lead the way, but this team is going nowhere without their defense.
• Nice game by the 49ers rookies. Dominic Puni was excellent. Green and Mustapha had picks. Guerendo had the game-sealing run. Jacob Cowing didn't do much as a punt returner, but at least he held on to the ball. Tatum Bethune had a fumble recovery. So that's three takeaways courtesy of 49ers rookies. This rookie class is looking nice.
• And the 49ers are opening Ricky Pearsall's practice window, so we may see the team's first-round draft pick soon.
• Brock Purdy was good, throwing three touchdown passes. Some are criticizing him, saying his was average and inaccurate. But I don't agree. He did what he needed to do. That's the Purdy we love. And as a bonus, he's never lost to the Seahawks.

Up next for the defending NFC Champs is a matchup with the defending Super Bowl champs. I don't expect the 49ers to win both of the next two games (Kansas City and Dallas), but if they can pull that off, it would be a huge boost going into the bye week.