What The 49ers Said Following Their 20-17 Loss To The Seahawks

Featuring postgame quotes from the following:

Head Coach Kyle Shanahan

Opening comments:

"Alright guys, injuries from the game: [LB] Tatum Bethune had a knee, didn't return, possible MCL, [CB] Renardo Green, finger, he returned, [WR Jacob] Cowing had a concussion, never returned, [FB Kyle Juszczyk] Juice cleared the protocol, he returned, [DL Nick] Bosa, hip/oblique, did not return. Go ahead."

Just coming off the field, how do you explain what happened today and just what are your thoughts about what transpired?

"I'm just extremely disappointed. I thought we had a chance to put them away a number of times throughout the game. I thought the penalties we had on a number of drives just killed us. I thought we had some good momentum and then had a penalty that kind of ended the drive on two big drives. That cost us points on both of them. Still should have put it away there on that last drive and had every opportunity to, and missed a couple opportunities to do that. And when we did that, we gave them a chance. I thought our defense played great all game until that last drive. But let them hang around, and when you let people hang around, that's what happens."

Your offensive possession before the very last one there, you had a 4th-and-sixth, I think, and then they called timeout and then it seemed like there was another stoppage of some sort. We didn't get an explanation, what happened there?

"Yeah, I thought they called two timeouts in a row, so I thought there was a penalty. They said that they didn't on the second one."

You talked about your defense playing well, but when Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith gets those two big runs at the end, is that a breakdown or is that just him making great plays?

"No, it's not a breakdown. It's just getting through the D-Line. Everyone was in coverage, one was verse zone, the first one. The next one, I believe, was versus man. No one was open in the rhythm of the play and you've got to keep him in the pocket and he broke through there. And especially on the touchdown run, guys in man-coverage had their backs to him and can't let him out the pocket there."

Assume Bosa's issue was the same thing he was dealing with all week and it just went?

"No, I think it was a different one."

Different?

"Yep."

This team has talked about, you've talked about second half surges, being better in the second half. Hasn't quite happened yet. How disappointing is that? Can you put your finger on why it's not happening?

"Yeah, it didn't happen because of what I just answered in this game. We had our opportunities to win this game. I'm not going to talk about the whole second half, the second half just started, of the season if that's what you mean. We won last week and lost this week. And thought we had every opportunity to win this game, and we didn't get it done. So we've got to make sure we find a way to win next week."

Are you saying that Bosa had a separate hip injury?

"Yep."

Is it the other hip?

"Yeah, the other one. Hip, oblique."

Even with RB Christian McCaffrey back, you haven't been able to get the running game too consistently. Is that just blocking there or what are you seeing on not being able to kind of pop one?

"I think we didn't break a big one today. I mean, last time versus them, I think we had a, one 74-yarder and one 38-yarder. Today, it was some solid running but no big ones. They did a good job not letting us get through their secondary, but when you don't get a big one, it's tough to get those yards."

What did you think of QB Brock Purdy today?

"Same as everyone. Did some good things and missed some things."

WR Jauan Jennings, obviously, had a pretty good game, fourth quarter. How much do guys miss TE George Kittle though? It seems like whenever he's out of the lineup, it really does affect the offense.

"Yeah, whenever you're missing good players, it's always a big deal. We went a little extra, we played [OL] Jaylon Moore a little bit at tight end today, something different to help with that. Thought [TE] Eric [Saubert] stepped it up and did good, especially showing up this morning sick and things like that. But yeah, it's, George is a great player, so always helps when he's out there."

Did Kittle have any kind of setback or was that just from the irritation?

"No, no setback. Just couldn't go. Would've been too risky."

What did you say to the team about this loss?

"Kind of exactly what I just said to you guys. We had every opportunity to run away with that and put it away. Thought the defense did a bunch of that, especially getting that turnover in the third quarter, felt real good about going in and scoring and we couldn't overcome the penalties. It happened on two of our drives that cost us points, I think. At the end of the second half, and also in the beginning of the third quarter, the other drive in the first half, the other punt. I know we had the turnover on that one drive in the first half. But it's, when you have opportunities to do it, and you hurt yourself with penalties and a few missed opportunities, you've got to finish it there at the end. Was disappointed because I thought the offense had every chance to do that and we didn't get it done there."

Bosa was having such a strong game up to the point of where he got hurt. How debilitating is it to look, for everybody to look and see their Defensive Player of the Year standing on the sidelines when the game's in the balance?

"We don't think about that in the moment. Just like his question with George, helps when Nick's out there, especially on the last drive and stuff. But thought we had a couple opportunities to get to him [QB Geno Smith]. I think we did get a sack or two on that last drive. But him getting those two scrambles killed us."

Purdy scrambled a lot in this game. Was he leaving the pocket prematurely or were guy's not getting open on those plays?

"He's been scrambling every game, all year. Sometimes it's because he has a lane, sometimes because someone's not open and there's, it's a different one to every single play. There's never just one narrative on when he scrambles."

I think you mentioned that Bosa was able to play through the hip injury last week. Clearly he wasn't able to play through today.

"No, it was a different hip injury. Yeah."

I know you said it was the other hip. My question is the seriousness of this hip injury. Do you think it would be similar to Kittle's situation, where he was able to kind of practice this week but didn't, wasn't able to go? Do you think it's the same for Bosa next week or you're not so sure right now?

"I hope so. I don't know anything but what I told you guys. It's hip/oblique and it's his other hip and he couldn't return to the game, which means it was bothering him. So, we'll see how he is tomorrow. Hopefully it's not too big of a deal. But that's all we really know right now."

One those two challenges, were they telling you upstairs that there was clear calls or was it borderline even when you threw the flag?

"No, you're not totally 100-percent sure. We felt pretty close to it. They wouldn't hurry up on both of them. I thought it was too big of a down to risk it. I still believe that they were out, but you can't totally tell what the camera angles. And when it does go that way and you can't fully see it with the angles, they're not going to overturn it."

QB Brock Purdy

It kind of just seemed like the offense wasn't clicking out there today. Was there anything that Seattle was doing that they showed differently from the first time you guys played them?

"No. I think their scheme was pretty similar. It was just one of those games where you just couldn't hurt yourself. And I feel like we had just some mishaps with some penalties and we had opportunities where we're moving the ball and we just kept hurting ourselves. And so, operationally I feel like we've just got to be better and can't hurt ourselves. And once we have momentum we've got to keep running with it and we've got to finish drives."

You get the ball back with just under four minutes to go up four. What are you thinking there and how disappointing was it that you could not continue that drive?

"Yeah, it was obviously just stay on the field, try to move the chains, get them to use their timeouts and run out the clock. And we failed in that area. So, got to execute better, got to stay on the field, find a way and we didn't. We gave him a chance at the end and yeah that's what happened."

You had the throw to WR Deebo Samuel Sr. there, I think on second down and went high. Was it because the defender was cutting across? Can you explain what happened there?

"From what I can remember, yeah. It was more of I thought I was trying to just keep it away from a backer and then it sailed on me. Got to watch the film and see what happened."

Head coach Kyle Shanahan was talking about giving you two play calls in the huddle and letting you choose at the line of scrimmage. I think I saw you make one can call in the game. Were you liking the first play call that he was giving you or was he just giving you one play?

"It just depends on the play. Sometimes we're already in the right look with what the defense is giving us so we're going to run the play. And so, that's just really how it went for this game. It wasn't I'm going to go into the game and I'm going to try to can and change all the plays as much as I can. They call the first play and it's the right look, we run it. That's just how it went."

I know you're always trying to win every game looking at just at one game, but you're 5-5 and you've got some teams ahead of you in the playoff race. You almost have to think you got to win out? How do you think about the big picture?

"Yeah, I think that's our mindset for sure is to win every single game and you've got to do it one at a time. You can't look too far ahead. Up next is Green Bay and we have to be all in on that and not look up. We just have to look down and do our jobs, get better as a unit and we've just got to find a way to win. It's the NFL, it's not easy and nothing's ever given to you."

Speaking of chunk plays, not a lot of big plays today. Was that because of the defense or what?

"I think they just did a good job with taking away our opportunities to go deep. They kept everything in front of them it felt like, from what I can remember. Obviously, I've got to go watch the film and see."

You're going to play with whoever you've got, but to not have the guy that you really rely on out there, TE George Kittle on third downs and for plays that you really need, that's a huge factor isn't it?

"For sure. When you've got an explosive tight end like George, he can block, run, catch the ball, do everything. A defense has to account for him. We love our tight ends here, but George is definitely extraordinary and what he brings to the table. Obviously we'd love to get him healthy and get him back."

Did you have a sense on Thursday that you wouldn't have him?

"I really didn't know. He was out at practice and we were throwing a couple routes and stuff, so we were just hoping that come game time he'd be healthy and feel good. So, he ended up not playing today."

You said nothing ever comes easy. Obviously it didn't in the past, but with some of those mistakes, penalties and things like that you have in the past been able to overcome them. Does it feel like the margin for error is slimmer this year? If so, how has that been kind of showing up?

"It's the NFL. You never want to put yourself in a hole. The guys across the other side of the ball, they're the best in the world at what they do. And so, anytime you have some kind of holding, false start or something that can hinder you it's never a good thing. And so, obviously yeah, in the years past we can put that behind us and play the next play. That's the same for right now. But we've just got to look at the film, be real with ourselves and just try to limit those kinds of things because just because we had success the last couple years doesn't mean the next play or just because something bad happens to us we're just magically going to make up for it. We've got to have the chip on our shoulder to go take it every single play and down and game. We've just got to get back to that mindset."

What was Kyle's message to the team in the locker room after the game?

"We just ran through the game, and we had plenty of opportunities to win that game, take it over and we failed at it. He obviously took ownership for himself as well and we all did in the locker room. We're all not satisfied with how we played. But he said, next game is up. We've got to watch the film, get better from this and focus on Green Bay."

If you guys had won, that third-down conversion to WR Jauan Jennings where he ran through about four guys, it would've been pretty significant. What did you see from your vantage point and is that kind of reflective of just his tenacity and desire?

"That's just who he is. You give him a chance and an opportunity, he'll make the most of it. He's going to fight for every yard and he's one of the toughest guys on the field. He inspires all of us, just the way he plays and the energy that he brings. And you saw that the whole stadium fed off that after that. Love playing with him, love going to war with that guy and we've just got to continue to get better together."

DL Nick Bosa

You were moving a little gingerly, how did you emerge from this game?

"Not great. That's why I had to stop playing."

Did it happen on that second step?

"It did. I guess I was compensating after pushing through last week. Then the same thing happened to my other oblique. So I'll see what I'm feeling like tomorrow."

You guys have said it's not panic time and you're now 5-5 now. How do you see the big picture?

"It's kind of hard to think about the big picture right now, but we have a lot of games left and all we've got to do is get in the dance. I definitely still have confidence."

What's your concern level that you're going to have to miss some time?

"It's definitely there. I don't know. I've got to see."

RB Christian McCaffrey

What would you say the mood of that locker room was after the game?

"Not great. I think, definitely a tough loss, but just like any week, you got to correct the mistakes, get back to it. We got a big one this week."

What was the thing about this game that kind of stands out in your mind about the opportunities that got away?

"I think we'll check the tape and see. I don't like making big statements right after the game, so we'll check the tape and see. I think it's important from my perspective, I just have to look at myself and see what I can correct and do it."

It been an issue with the Niners kind of closing games. A few of the guys in the locker room said that you guys just kind of got to figure it out. You've been able to kind of watch a few games, but then also play in a couple too. What do you think is the issue with closing out games with this team from what you've been able to see?

"I think each game has its own lens and they're all different. This game, I think I have to make a better read on one of those runs and maybe close it out there. So, from my perspective that's what I got to do. It'd be great to not give them the ball back at the end there and be able to ice it. I think everybody can look in the mirror and look at themselves and find a few things to work on and get better at to help close games out."

Did you feel like yourself in these first two games back?

"I can be a lot better. I feel like I can be a lot better. To miss time with an injury is always tough, it's not an excuse, but I know I can be a lot better. I feel it. It's coming. I just got to get rolling."

How do you merge out of these two games physically? How do you feel?

"Physically, I feel good. It's just getting everything back to normal."

WR Ricky Pearsall

Ricky, what was the message after the game?

"We made a lot of mistakes. We shot ourselves in the foot a few times. We killed some drives with some penalties so we just have to clean those up and continue drives."

Does the offense feel some of aggravation when the defense goes out there and allows 13 up until that final drive?

"Yes, as an offense we always want to go out there and score every time we touch grass. That just gets frustrating when we don't do that and then it puts a lot more pressure on the defense at the end right there when they're having a really good game."

Can going down the road for some tough games galvanize this group when you're not playing what you feel is your best football?

"Yes, for sure. Going on the road is a little bit more difficult going into those environments, but we know what is at stake as a unit. We know what we have to do and what our job is. We just have to go out there and stack these Ws."

LB Fred Warner

What happened on that last drive?

"We just couldn't get a stop. [Seattle Seahawks QB] Geno [Smith], kudos to him using his legs to extend the drive and ultimately get in the end zone. We've got to find a way, and we didn't."

What's the frustration level that you've now blown these leads in the fourth quarter to your divisional opponents and how much confidence do you have that you can fix that?

"It's just infuriating honestly, but I'm always going to have all of the confidence in the world in everybody that we have in our building. All the answers are in here. It's just about doing it."

You said 'infuriating'. Is it also puzzling? You guys have a pedigree, to keep losing games like this doesn't seem like you?

"Yeah, it's not like us, but that's just what we've shown this year. So I guess until we stop doing that, then that's who we are."

What was your view of the touchdown run at the end in particular? What was the breakdown on that play?

"We're in man coverage, so that means it's going to be hard for us to get to him if he escapes because everybody has got their back turned to him. We've got to be better."

T Trent Williams

Trent, just how frustrating is it when the defense has the game that it does and the offense is unable to score?

"We have to be better. We have to execute better. We have to put more than 17 points on the board if we want to win a divisional game."

Where were the mistakes that you saw today?

"I don't know. I was playing football, so there is something that we have to look at in the film."

What was tough about that last stretch before they scored?

"I don't know, I don't play defense. You have to ask them."

How do you explain the penalties for you guys today?

"Sloppy. Just not on the details, just uncharacteristic. We shot ourselves in the foot."

CB Isaac Yiadom

Is it too simplistic to say DL Nick Bosa left and that was the difference in the game?

"I didn't realize that Bosa left, so I can't really speak on that, but we have to finish games no matter who is out there."

You made a big play early on in the game with the interception. Talk me through that play, how did you see that?

"I tried to make a play on the ball a number of times throughout the game, of course. They got me on one with [Seattle Seahawks WR] DK [Metcalf] and [Seattle Seahawks QB] Geno [Smith] threw a great ball. But I took another chance on that play in the beginning of the third quarter and I was able to come down with one. Like I said, our offense got three points off of that so I think that for sure helped. At the end of the day, we have to find a way to close games. It's been happening too much. We have to emphasize being great in the fourth quarter. Go back, watch the film, and try to keep it going."

You mentioned the inability to close games. Does it ever creep in the back of your head that this feels kind of familiar?

"Not really. I still feel like we are a great team. I've been on 5-5 teams and sometimes it's like you're confidence isn't there, but I still feel like we are a great team. We know what we have to get fixed. We know the point of emphasis this week and that's exactly what we are going to do."