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# Halftime Observations: Seahawks Hold 10-7 Lead Over 49ers in Season Opener
- URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/halftime-observations-seattle-seahawks-lead-san-francisco-49ers-10-7/
- Published: 2025-09-07T21:43:19.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T05:58:23.000Z
- Author: Corbin Smith
- Tags: Seahawks, Sam Darnold, Zach Charbonnet, Jaxon Smith-Njigba

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Rebounding from an early deficit courtesy of a George Kittle touchdown from Brock Purdy, Zach Charbonnet punched the ball into the end zone from a yard out and Jason Myers connected on a long field goal to give the Seattle Seahawks a 10-7 advantage over the San Francisco 49ers in the season opener.

Here are three quick takeaways from the first half at Lumen Field:

### 1\. Volume, but not efficiency, evident as Seahawks prioritize ground game early.

All offseason long, the Seahawks spoke big when it came to making the run game non-negotiable after ranking 28th in that category in 2024\. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak backed up those words in the opening two quarters, dialing up 16 run plays compared to just 11 passes for Sam Darnold at close to a 60 percent clip. On their lone touchdown drive, that approach worked with Zach Charbonnet, who rushed five times during the possession and capped it off plunging into the end zone from a yard out to tie the game.

But overall, while Seattle stuck with the rushing attack, the production wasn’t overly impressive. Ken Walker III toted the rock four times for just four yards, while Charbonnet averaged 3.8 yards per carry on nine touches. In addition, an early direct snap to rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe went nowhere for a minimal gain, leaving the home team with a mere 50 rushing yards and 3.1 yards per attempt for the half. The hope for Kubiak will be that all of those runs start to add up in the second half and wear down San Francisco in the closing 30 minutes to open up the rest of the offense.

### 2\. Iffy defensive penalty calls help aid a touchdown drive for both teams.

The first quarter featured a lengthy scoring possession for each team respectively, with the 49ers marching 95 yards all the way from the opposing five-yard line before Purdy connected with Kittle for a five-yard touchdown and the Seahawks going nearly 70 yards before Charbonnet’s goal line score. But those drives with double-digit plays weren’t simply about offensive output, as each defense had a firm hand in giving a free set of downs that took away potential stops and gifted points in return.

On San Francisco’s opening possession, after the 49ers had converted a third down earlier on a pass, Leonard Williams chased Purdy out to his left on a third down and hit the quarterback as he threw. But officials threw a flag for roughing the passer even though it looked to be a clean hit that wasn’t too late, turning a third down stop and a field goal at most into a new set of downs. Moments later, Purdy made Seattle pay, taking advantage of a matchup with reserve safety Ty Okada trying to cover Kittle on an out route, a completion that proved to be as easy as stealing candy from a baby.

As for Seattle’s possession, the Seahawks had marched inside the 49ers five-yard line, but back-to-back runs by Charbonnet didn’t get close to the first down marker, setting up 4th and 3\. Rather than take the points, Darnold took the snap out of shotgun and airmailed a throw out the back left corner of the end zone while getting hit, with the pass appearing to be uncatchable for Cooper Kupp. But officials didn’t deem that the case, instead calling rookie cornerback Upton Stout for defensive pass interference to extend the drive at the goal line. Charbonnet capitalized on the next snap to even the score.

### 3\. If the game stays close, the Seahawks may benefit from special teams swing.

Inside two minutes left to play in the half, the 49ers looked poised to retake the lead after Christian McCaffrey powered forward on a 3rd and 1 run just past the chains to set up 1st and goal at the Seahawks six-yard line. But defensive tackle Byron Murphy II blew up the ensuing run play for a two-yard loss and after two Purdy incompletions, San Francisco was forced to settle for a 27-yard chip shot field goal. That ended up not being a chip shot, however, as Jake Moody doinked the kick off the right upright, leading to cheers from the 12s and gasps from visiting fans.

With only two timeouts and a minute left, Seattle called a run play to Charbonnet, appearing content to go into the half. But the run netted six yards and Darnold quickly raced up to the line, taking the snap and firing a bullet over the middle to Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 22-yard gain near midfield. Managing the clock masterfully, the quarterback sprinted out wide right on a designed quarterback run with 12 seconds left and went out of bounds for a nine-yard gain, setting Myers up for the long field goal try. Splitting the uprights right down the middle, the veteran kicker finished off a pivotal six-point swing from 48 yards out to give the home team a three-point advantage seconds before the half. Those points could look pretty nice down the stretch.