The 49ers pulled out an ugly victory over the Seahawks Sunday afternoon at Candlestick Park, and much of the thanks is due to 49er kick/punt returner Ted Ginn Jr.
With 3:56 remaining in the 4th quarter, Doug Baldwin had just taken a Tarvaris Jackson pass and run 55 yards for a touchdown to cut the San Francisco 49ers lead to two points, 19-17. We had a game on our hands. The momentum was now firmly Seattle's and Alex Smith was about to face the full fury of a amped up Seahawks defense. But it was not to be.
Ted Ginn returned the ensuing kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown and yanked the momentum and last hopes of a victory out of the Seahawks hands. The crowd was back in it, the momentum was firmly back in San Francisco's favor. The Hawks proceeded to go 3 and out and on the punt, frickin Ted Ginn returned it 55 yards for a touchdown.
Both teams played well enough to squeak out a victory but the 49ers came out on top due to their special teams play. Seattle had more yards on offense - 219 to 209, more first downs - 18 to 12, and put themselves in a position to win, down three only with under four minutes to play. Ultimately though, their three turnovers and special teams flubs cost them the game.
The final lines for the starting quarterbacks:
Tarvaris Jackson: 21/37, 197 yards 2TD, 1 INT
Alex Smith: 15/20, 124 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Be sure to check out Field Gulls for more.