San Francisco beat Super Bowl champions Seattle 32-29 in a typically brutal contest between divisional rivals. The Niners had defensive star Dre Greenlaw ejected early for a headbutt on Ernest Jones, who was not wearing a helmet, on the sidelines. Both defences are elite and forced a season-high seven turnovers in the game, with the 49ers taking advantage by scoring three touchdowns from theirs. The 21 points off turnovers was the most Seattle have allowed in a decade.
Brock Purdy eventually got San Francisco over the line thanks to new wide receiver Mike Evans, who had 113 yards receiving and a touchdown, taking some great catches late on. The only team to have a top-five scoring offence and defence, the 49ers again have injury problems this season, but if Evans stays fit he could be the missing piece. San Francisco are now 5-0 for the third time under head coach Kyle Shanahan. They made the Super Bowl on both previous occasions and, if they keep finding ways to win, they have every chance again.
The Minnesota Vikings are also 5-0 after another defensive masterclass from Brian Flores' unit in their 23-13 win at the slumping New Orleans Saints. With wins over the Saints (1-4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4) and Miami Dolphins (0-5), we will know more about the Vikings after their bye, but allowing only 13 points a game will always give you a chance.
There was a comedy of errors at the end of the Washington Commanders' 27-27 tie with the New York Giants as both teams fluffed their lines with victory in sight. The Giants ran the ball with Cam Skattebo, who fumbled, and Washington ran out of time after a play-calling mistake. Elsewhere, the Baltimore Ravens beat the Atlanta Falcons 30-23 in overtime, with Tyler Huntley earning the win, and the Jets beat the Cleveland Browns 17-12 with eight sacks on Deshaun Watson.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing