49ers vs. Seahawks score, takeaways: Jimmy Garoppolo replaces injured Trey Lance, leads San Fran to Week 2 win

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The San Francisco 49ers overcame some adversity on Sunday to defeat the division rival Seattle Seahawks 27-7. Starting quarterback Trey Lance was injured midway through the first quarter after his leg bent in an awkward direction as he was tackled on a red zone run while trying to extend San Francisco's early lead. 

Lance had begun the game 2 of 3 for 30 yards passing and 13 yards on three carries, but that third tote ended with him collapsing to the ground in a heap and eventually needing to be carted off the field with his right leg in an air cast. He was immediately ruled out for the game by the team, which described it as an ankle injury. After the win, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Lance suffered a broken ankle and done for the season

The second-year quarterback was replaced in the lineup by Jimmy Garoppolo, who stepped up by performing admirably in relief. His touchdown pass was a 38-yarder to a wide-open Ross Dwelley, who ended up all alone in the Seattle secondary, thanks to a blown coverage. Garoppolo finished the afternoon 13 of 21 for 154 yards and the single score through the air. He added a second touchdown on a quarterback sneak late in the fourth quarter. 

After playing a nearly perfect game against the Broncos last Monday, Geno Smith was less effective for the Seahawks in this one. He ended the day 24 of 30, but for only 198 yards (6.2 per attempt) and an interception, and he had another pick overturned on a dubious penalty call. Seattle also blew a red zone opportunity by getting far too cute, using fourth-string running back DeeJay Dallas to try to throw a pass deep in Niners territory. Dallas' pass was comically off-target, and went right into the chest of Niners linebacker Fred Warner. The Seahawks' only score of the day came on a blocked field goal deep in their own territory. Rookie Tariq Woolen came off the edge for the block, and Mike Jackson picked up the ball for a long scoop and score. Beyond that, the Seahawks never really threatened to make this game all that close. 

Here are some more takeaways from this NFC West showdown. 

Why the 49ers won

A fast start, a dominant defense and an admirable stay-ready performance from Jimmy G. San Francisco quickly jumped out to a 6-0 lead, then extended it to 13-0 early in the second quarter. By halftime, the lead was pushed to three scores. The San Francisco defensive line held both Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Walker III in check all afternoon. The secondary came away with two interceptions, had a third called back due to penalty, and should have had at least one or two more. The Seahawks managed just 4.6 yards per play against DeMeco Ryans' unit, and that just won't be enough to get it done most weeks. And then Garoppolo came on in relief of Lance and played efficient football. He took care of the ball, for the most part, and took what the defense gave him all afternoon. After not participating in training camp and undergoing shoulder surgery this offseason, it was a big performance in a tough spot. 

Why the Seahawks lost

Seattle was done in by penalties, turnovers, general offensive ineptitude and the inability to capitalize on chances given to them by a San Francisco offense that didn't seem to want to just put the game away. Seattle was penalized 10 times for 106 yards, compared with only one for 26 yards from the Niners. As mentioned above, the Seahawks also averaged just 4.6 yards per play, and they converted only two of seven third downs. When given opportunities to cut the lead to just one score in the second half, the Seahawks could not figure out a way to move the ball and ended up just kicking it back to San Fran. 

Turning point

It feels a bit silly to identify a blown coverage as a turning point, especially since the team that scored as a result of that blunder was already up 6-0 at the time. But the 49ers taking a 13-0 lead on Ross Dwelley's 38-yard touchdown catch did end up making it feel like the game was out of reach, so this is what we're going with. 

It's not even like this was a particularly creative play design. Kyle Shanahan can scheme guys open with the best of them, but this is just Dwelley running a corner route as the outside receiver clears down the field, and nobody covers the tight end breaking to the outside. There's not a defender within 20 yards of him at the catch, and he's barely contested on his way to the end zone.

Highlight play

With San Francisco leading 20-0 midway through the third quarter, Robbie Gould lined up for a short field goal attempt that should have easily extended the lead. But that is very much NOT what happened. The kick was instead blocked by rookie Tariq Woolen, then picked up by Mike Jackson and returned 86 yards for a touchdown -- Seattle's first score of the game. 

What's next

The Niners travel to Denver to take on the Broncos on next week's edition of "Sunday Night Football." It seems highly likely that Garoppolo will be under center for that contest, and at least the next few after that. 

The Seahawks play host to the Falcons next week, and look to put Atlanta into an 0-3 hole while doing their best to maintain pace in the NFC West themselves. 

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September 18, 2022, 10:51 PM
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It's 27-7 now, and the Niners have pretty much put this one away. They'll likely climb back to 1-1, while the Seahawks will fall to 1-1 themselves. 

September 18, 2022, 10:49 PM
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Wow, Aiyuk almost came away with a ridiculous touchdown catch. This might be setting the Niners up near the goal line with pass interference now.

September 18, 2022, 10:42 PM
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Tyrion Davis-Price is getting a decent amount of work in the backfield, but he has not been nearly as effective as Jeff Wilson or Deebo Samuel. Shanahan keeps going back to him, though, so he must like what he sees.

September 18, 2022, 10:41 PM
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September 18, 2022, 10:33 PM
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Nowhere to go on third down and the Niners pass rush finally gets to Geno. Nick Bosa in on the sack. 

September 18, 2022, 10:30 PM
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Not sure why Charvarius Ward is playing so soft in coverage. His strength is being up in a receiver's face and playing physically. He should still be able to do that in San Francisco's zone schemes.

September 18, 2022, 10:29 PM
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Nice strike from Geno to Lockett to open this drive. Corner playing almost 10 yards off, those are basically free throws. 

September 18, 2022, 10:27 PM
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And again, the Seahawks defense steps up to force a punt after initially extending a drive with a penalty. Another chance coming to cut the lead to one score.

September 18, 2022, 10:23 PM
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Less than ideal penalty to extend the drive. Seahawks had a chance to quickly get off the field again, but instead they again take a pass interference on third-and-long to give the Niners a new set of downs. This time it's Mike Jackson, who scored the touchdown earlier. 

September 18, 2022, 10:21 PM
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September 18, 2022, 10:17 PM
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It'll be fourth-and-1 for the Seahawks when we open the fourth quarter after Geno's read option run comes up just short. Interesting call for Pete Carroll with not much to gain for the first, but deep in his own territory. I'm assuming the Seahawks will punt, but I've been wrong before, folks!

September 18, 2022, 10:16 PM
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