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What do 49ers, Seahawks' first 5 weeks say about their season goals? Why San Francisco sees a risk in 5-0

The San Francisco 49ers’ fifth consecutive victory left them as one of only two NFL teams at 5-0, but their star running back Christian McCaffrey refused to get ahead of the season. After a dominant 32-29 road win over the Seattle Seahawks—who had eliminated them from the playoffs last year—the 49ers’ defense forced four turnovers, including a key interception converted into 21 points.

McCaffrey, who added 83 rushing yards and a touchdown, pointed to history as a warning: in 2021, the team started 5-0 before dropping three straight games and finishing 12-5. Despite that eventual playoff run, he emphasized the team’s focus on sustained improvement rather than early euphoria.

'We’ve been here before, and we know what can happen,' McCaffrey said, highlighting the risk of complacency after a flawless start. Meanwhile, the Seahawks’ 3-2 record belied their defensive firepower, as quarterback Jake Darnold’s return from injury in Week 3 coincided with a surge in turnovers—four in the loss to San Francisco alone.

Cornerback Renardo Green’s interception sealed the game, while linebacker Fred Warner’s 10 tackles and forced fumble underscored the 49ers’ depth. For both teams, the early numbers mask deeper questions: Can San Francisco’s momentum endure past the bye week?

And can Seattle’s defense, one of the league’s most physical units, tighten up its ball security to avoid another late-season collapse?

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