Brock Purdy got sacked for the first time this season, and guess what? Our excellent Seattle defensive line was the squad that finally got him! You love to see it when the Emerald City D-line shows up, and man, they showed up big against a 49ers offensive line that’s been getting all the hype.
The 49ers’ O-Line Was ‘Supposed’ To Be Elite
Okay, let’s be real, the 49ers’ offensive line has been a big surprise over these first five weeks of 2026. Coach Kyle Shanahan even said in training camp he never understood the “hate” their O-line got, proving even the big bosses hear the chatter. But Shanahan and O-line coach Chris Foerster are looking pretty smart right now for sticking to their plan. That continuity is paying off, even with Connor Colby at left guard, and the whole line has really gelled. They’ve been rolling, and as of now, they’ve got a top-five offensive line. It’s hard to argue against that when you look at how they’ve played.
Pressure Points and a Historic Streak
But let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of that 49ers’ line. According to Football Insights, the pressure responsibility across their five linemen breaks down like this: Trent Williams at 11.6%, Connor Colby with a whopping 32.6% (inflated by Byron Murphy last Sunday, just so you know), Jake Brendel at 11.6%, Dominick Puni at 14%, and Colton McKivitz at 18.6%. You also got Brock Purdy contributing 16.3% and tight ends/blitz pickups handling 7%. Except for Colby, who has the second-highest pressure responsibility, these guys are either very good (Williams, obviously) or above average. Colby’s been fine overall this season, but that Sunday performance clearly spiked his number.
Now, for the kicker: Jake Brendel, their center, has one of the longest snap streaks without allowing a sack in the entire league! This guy hasn’t given up a sack since Week 16 of 2024. That’s 921 snaps, folks. How remarkable is that? That’s right up there with names like Garett Bolles (1,077 snaps), Joe Thuney (1,038 snaps), Lucas Patrick (1,031 snaps), and Erik McCoy (1,020 snaps). The chatter always is about the 49ers not making first-round investments in their O-line, but they’ve clearly invested in development. Guys like Puni and McKivitz were drafted and brought up, Colby was drafted with potential, and Williams was a trade steal. Brendel himself was a free-agent signing. So yeah, they’re investing, just not with those shiny first-rounders. And over these first five weeks, their process is hard to argue with, especially with the results.
Our D-Line Crashes The Party
The ultimate proof of our defensive line’s excellence came when they were the ones who finally took down Purdy. He’d been unsacked until then, relying on that solid line and his own ability to navigate the pocket and scramble. But our boys on Seattle’s defensive line? They broke through. This isn’t just about one sack; it’s our Emerald City D-line showing up, proving they’re excellent and can crack even a top-five O-line. You gotta love seeing that kind of fight early in the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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