49ers Edge Seahawks 17-13 in Injury-Hampered Season Opener

The San Francisco 49ers secured a narrow 17-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in a challenging season opener marked by key performances and injuries. The 49ers' defense, under Robert Saleh's leadership, was notably effective against the run despite some criticisms about its overall dominance, holding the Seahawks to just over 3 yards per carry on critical drives. Christian McCaffrey overcame concerns about a calf injury to contribute 142 total yards and was pivotal in the offense, while George Kittle scored the team's first touchdown before leaving with a hamstring injury. Brock Purdy had a mixed game with two touchdown passes but also two interceptions, yet he led a crucial late-game drive to secure the win. Rookie linebacker Dee Winters impressed with his intensity, and the defense, especially Nick Bosa, made game-saving plays including a strip-sack recovery. Special teams and some rookie defensive mistakes were noted as areas for improvement, but overall, the 49ers showed resilience and tactical strength to overcome their opponents on the road.