Halftime Observations: Seahawks Doomed by Costly Turnovers, Trail 49ers 21-13
Feeling extra generous in mid-October, the Seahawks coughed up three horrible turnovers deep in their own territory to go into halftime trailing their bitter rivals.
SEATTLE, Wash. - Handing the San Francisco 49ers the football on three costly turnovers inside their own 20-yard line, the Seattle Seahawks allowed a pair of quick touchdowns to Mike Evans and Christian McCaffrey as well as a fumble recovery in the end zone for Gracen Halton to go into the half trailing 21-13.
Here are three quick observations from a ridiculously sloppy first half of action at Lumen Field:
1. An ugly theme continues for Seahawks offense to set up 49ers for three easy touchdowns.
Turnovers have been an issue at times for Darnold in his two seasons in Seattle, as he threw 14 interceptions last season and has been picked three times in the past two weeks. One of those picks against the Chargers last Sunday came on the first throw from scrimmage and unfortunately, he nearly matched that "feat" on the opening drive against the 49ers. Trying to squeeze the ball to Jaxon Smith-Njigba on an out-breaking route on third down, he made a poor decision with Renardo Green reading his eyes like a book, leading to an interception at the Seahawks' 18-yard line.
Cashing in on Darnold's latest game-opening gaffe, Brock Purdy made a spectacular throw off his back foot while getting hit by Derick Hall on third down in the red zone, managing to thread a pass to Mike Evans along the sideline for a 13-yard gain with Josh Jobe in tight coverage. After Evans' toe drag swag advanced the ball to the two-yard line, Purdy went right back to him on a slant for a two-yard touchdown put the 49ers out in front 7-0 less than five minutes into the game, already marking a third straight game where Darnold turnovers led to points for the opposition.
