The San Francisco 49ers just pulled off a gritty, 24-14 win over the Denver Broncos, proving they can absolutely win ugly. That’s something our Seahawks need to take note of big time as Week 5 approaches, because that wasn’t the flawless Niner team we’ve seen earlier this season.
The Struggle Was Real For Their Offense
Let’s be honest, for three weeks, everything looked *too* perfect for the 49ers. Their offense was lighting up the scoreboard, hitting at least 27 points in each of those first three games, and they were only held without a touchdown in a mere three of twelve quarters. Their defense was locking things down too, holding opponents to 13 or fewer points in two games. But Sunday against Denver? That was a different story entirely, a genuine struggle that looked nothing like those easy wins against Miami.
The Broncos’ defense was every bit as advertised, and it showed. The Niners’ offense couldn’t find the end zone for the first two quarters, and they were just 4 minutes and 15 seconds away from a third quarter touchdown drought too. It was a grind, and you could feel the struggle, maybe because Mike Evans was nowhere near 100 percent health, or maybe because Denver’s defense really is that good. Funnily enough, the San Francisco offense really started to click only after Denver’s Patrick Surtain and Riley Moss went out with injuries. They won, yeah, and their defense did hold Denver to just 14 points, but it was their first real test of 2026. Good teams like Denver force you to earn it, and the Niners proved they can get it done messy.
Greenlaw’s Beef With Payton Blew Up, and He Backed It Up
Forget those “revenge games” that feel kinda hollow these days with all the player movement. Sometimes, there’s a personal aspect that just adds that extra juice, and Dre Greenlaw absolutely delivered one on Sunday. It was no secret Greenlaw wasn’t thrilled with his time in Denver, and Sean Payton was reportedly the main reason. If you didn’t know about that beef before, Greenlaw made it clear real fast.
Denver was facing a first-and-15 deep in their own territory, inside the 10-yard line. Bo Nix checked down to RJ Harvey, and Greenlaw made the tackle. What happened next? Greenlaw pointed right at the Denver head coach and the two of them exchanged words on the sideline. But the guy didn’t just talk, he played his heart out. Greenlaw led the 49ers with a monster 12 total tackles and 7 solo tackles. He put all that emotion right into his performance.
So, what does this all mean for our Emerald City squad? The 49ers are coming into Week 5 off an “ugly” win. They’re still dangerous, no doubt, but that game showed they can be stifled, that their offense isn’t always perfect, and that a tough defense can make them earn every single yard. Our Seahawks have a huge Week 5 showdown against them, and while the Niners proved they can win even when they aren’t at their best, this game gave us a glimpse into how they can be challenged. Get ready, 12s, it’s going to be a battle!
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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