49ers Finish Inglorious 2-14 Season With 25-23 Loss To Seahawks
SANTA CLARA (CBS/AP) -- Russell Wilson threw for 258 yards and a touchdown and the Seattle Seahawks rallied from an early 11-point deficit to beat San Francisco 25-23 on Sunday in what proved to be coach Chip Kelly's final game with the 49ers.
RELATED: 49ers Fire Coach Chip Kelly, GM Trent Baalke
Less than two hours after the loss, the team confirmed that they have fired their head coach along with general manager Trent Baalke.
The NFC West champion Seahawks (10-5-1) head to the playoffs as the third seed in the NFC.
The Seahawks will host the loser of Sunday night's game between Detroit and Green Bay next week.
The loss capped a disastrous season for the 49ers (2-14), who matched the franchise record for losses in a season previously reached in 1978, `79 and 2004.
San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke told the team's flagship radio station KNBR before the game that he had been fired and ESPN reported Saturday night that Kelly would be out as well.
The Niners started fast with touchdowns on two of their first three drives, but were outgained 366-99 over the final three quarters as Wilson delivered numerous big plays and Seattle shut down Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco offense.
With the Falcons leading big, the Seahawks pulled Wilson in the fourth quarter.
Trevone Boykin converted a pair of third downs with Seattle protecting a two-point lead to help run out the clock.
FAST START, SLOW FINISH: Kaepernick completed his first 10 passes and Shaun Draughn scored on a pair of 1-yard runs to give the Niners a 14-3 lead. That marked the fifth time this season San Francisco led a home game by at least 11 points in the first half, but the Niners won only the opener against the Rams. San Francisco blew 14-point leads to Dallas, Tampa Bay and the Jets.
MILESTONE: Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin caught two passes for 44 yards, tying the franchise record for catches in a season with 94. Baldwin tied Bobby Engram's mark set in 2007 with an acrobatic 41-yard catch in the second quarter.
DUBIOUS RECORD: Jimmy Graham used his basketball skills to box out safety Antoine Bethea on a 42-yard catch in the second quarter that set up Thomas Rawls' go-ahead 1-yard run. With that play, San Francisco broke the franchise record for most yards allowed in a season. The Niners had already set franchise worsts for most points and yards rushing allowed in a season. This year's team gave up 6502 yards, breaking the mark of 6,259 set in 2005. The Niners had already set franchise worsts for most points and yards rushing allowed in a season.
DRAFT POSITION: San Francisco will have the second pick in the draft, the highest for the team since taking Alex Smith No. 1 overall in 2005. The Niners had a shot at the No. 1 pick if Cleveland won, but the Browns lost 27-24 in overtime at Pittsburgh.
ROUGH WARMUP: The 49ers lost tight end Je'Ron Hamm to an injury in warmups. Hamm had an air cast placed on his left leg and was carted off the field following the injury. San Francisco also lost cornerback Rashard Robinson to an ankle injury in the first half.
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