Kittle and the kids finish off Seattle with a 36-24 49ers win

The 49ers take a 23-3 lead, Seattle reacts and reduces the score to 23-17, the game and the season are at stake. Will the Niners blow another lead or will they prevail? This time the 49ers finished the biggest game of the young season with a 36:24 victory.

The rookies stepped up in the prime-time rivalry game with interceptions by Malik Mustapha and Renardo Green and a 76-yard run by Isaac Guerendo to end the game.

The 49ers showed inner strength when they needed it most, improving to 3-3 and jumping to the top of the division if Arizona loses at Green Bay on Sunday.

Play balls

George Kittle – Two red zone touchdowns on five catches for 56 yards. The first touchdown featured excellent footwork after a 10-yard score by Brock Purdy.

Deebo Samuel – He always plays well against Seattle, in this case three catches for 102 yards, led by a 76-yard touchdown, along with four runs for 15 yards.

Isaac Guerendo – Finishes the game with a 76-yard run that shows off his 4.3 speed and finishes with a smart slide to burn off the clock.

Renardo Green– He played a central role in both of Smith's interceptions, played a key role in Mustapha's first pick and made the second alone. Green has earned the third DB job.

Thoughts on the 49ers

This was an important win to build confidence for the difficult phase of the schedule. The difference this time was endurance, the focus and effort was there throughout in the Niners' first 60-minute win of the year.

The run defense performed well, holding Kenneth Walker III to 32 yards on 14 carries, with a long of just eight. 11 tackles by Fred Warner, including another fumble punchout.

The children have proven that they belong. After two years of poor drafts, Kyle Shanahan has delivered one of the best of his time and he's going to have to embrace it.

Matthew Wright did a good job as temporary kicker and made all his attempts. However, he doesn't have the big leg for automatic touchbacks on kickoffs. The Niners' special teams brought Seattle to life with the touchdown return. The unit needs to work on kick coverage, especially considering Wright isn't getting the ball in the end zone.

While this was an important victory, it also needs to be seen in context. Geno Smith was instrumental in this win and Seattle had several key starters.

Thoughts on the Seahawks

Geno Smith is now 0-5 against the Niners. To win the division, Seattle has to get past Smith.

Once again, Smith threw a pick under pressure and then got into his own head with inaccurate throws for most of the first half. Smith had a chance to win the game, trailed 23-17 with the ball and threw the pick to Green.

Seattle isn't fooled by the stats. Macdonald was hired to win the division and Smith can't do it. Geno needs to be replaced. The Seahawks can't be taken seriously as a division threat until they do.

Next week

Kansas City has a bye and the Niners have a mini-bye. Patrick Mahomes won't gift-wrap the game like Smith did. The Chiefs take it slow to start the year and then head into the playoffs, they are not invincible at the start of the season. However, the Niners still need to prove that they can beat this team.

For now, an important win allows the Niners to fight another day. Kansas City and Dallas are waiting for you.