SEATTLE — The San Francisco 49ers held on to defeat the Seahawks, 36-24 , in Seattle.
In the run up to Thursday night, the 49ers stopped short of calling it a “must win” game.
Mathematically, at least, there’s no such thing in Week 6 of the NFL season. But defensive end Nick Bosa and his teammates were clear in their assessment on Tuesday that this one was the closest thing possible given the circumstances.
At 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the NFC West division, a loss to the Seahawks wouldn’t have buried the 49ers’ season but it would have dug the hole plenty deep.
Even as things piled up against San Francisco on Thursday night in Seattle — more injuries, unseen replay angles and special teams woes, to name a few — the 49ers sent a reminder that they will not allow their Super Bowl window to close without a fight.
Somehow, these Niners, even at 3-3, are back atop the division, tied with Seattle but now holding the head-to-head tiebreaker.
That happened despite playing without cornerback Charvarius Ward , losing running back Jordan Mason (left shoulder) and safety Malik Mustapha (ankle) to injuries that kept them out for big chunks of the game and seeing others, such as tight end George Kittle and receiver Deebo Samuel Sr . limp off the field at various points.