Early in the second quarter of Thursday night’s matchup vs. Seattle, the 49ers got an object lesson in the dangers of blitzing Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
On a 3rd-and-9 play, Wilson spun away from onrushing 49ers defensive back Dontae Johnson, cut back to his right, avoided tackle attempts from Johnson and linebacker Chris Borland and flipped the ball out to tight end Tony Moeaki, who was wide open down the right sideline. Moeaki would rumble 63 yards down to the San Francisco 1, coming oh-so-close to scoring.
The 49ers would hold the Seahawks to just a field goal, with Seattle extending its lead to 10-0.
However, any momentum the Niners might have gotten from their goal-line defense was short lived. The offense again sputtered, and Wilson would lead another drive ending in a field goal, giving Seattle a 13-0 lead it holds with about four minutes left in the first half. On that drive, Wilson would again make a big play vs. the blitz, hitting tailback Robert Turbin for 34 yards after the Niners again blitzed but couldn’t get home.