Jimmie Ward’s costly late hit on Geno Smith gifts Seahawks field goal
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Ward’s late hit on Smith leads to big Seahawks field goal originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The 49ers were about to head into halftime with a 16-14 lead over the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card Game at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday until a costly penalty allowed Seattle to kick a last-second field goal and take the lead.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith scrambled out of the pocket on a first-and-10 play, sliding to the ground with two seconds remaining in the half as 49ers cornerback/safety Jimmie Ward provided a late hit.
Ward’s hit resulted in a 15-yard penalty, allowing Seahawks kicker Jason Myers to kick a go-ahead 56-yard field goal as time expired.
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San Francisco led for most of the first half before Seattle took a 14-13 lead on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Smith to wide receiver D.K. Metcalf with 2:40 remaining in the second quarter. After the 49ers responded with a go-ahead field goal from kicker Robbie Gould that give San Francisco a 16-14 lead, Ward’s costly penalty, and the subsequent Seahawks field goal gave Seattle the lead heading into the second half.