Mike Evans gave the 49ers a new big target, and on Sunday in Seattle, he became the difference in a wild 32-29 win. The 6-foot-5 receiver caught seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown as San Francisco moved to 5-0. The Seahawks, the defending champions, fell to 3-2 after fighting back from two different deficits.

Seattle’s defense struck first. Cornerback Green intercepted Sam Darnold near Seattle’s goal line, setting up Brock Purdy’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Evans. Evans had already made a 13-yard catch to reach the 2, showing why he can be so hard to guard near the end zone. Seattle answered after recovering a muffed punt at San Francisco’s 24. Running back Wilson finished the short drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, tying the game 7-7.

Darnold then led Seattle into field-goal range early in the second quarter, and Jason Myers put the Seahawks ahead 10-7. But San Francisco’s defense changed the game again. Linebacker Warner forced a fumble from Wilson at the Seattle 12, and safety Mustapha recovered it. Christian McCaffrey crashed in from 11 yards out on the next play for a 14-10 lead.

The biggest swing came just before halftime. The 49ers pinned Seattle at its own 1-yard line with a punt. Then defensive tackle Halton burst through, knocked the ball loose from running back Holani, recovered it in the end zone, and scored. Instead of going into halftime close behind, Seattle trailed 21-13.

The Seahawks refused to fade. Myers made field goals from 43 and 48 yards, while cornerback Pritchett intercepted Purdy to give Seattle another chance. Darnold then found Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 16-yard touchdown, and Seattle suddenly led 23-21. Smith-Njigba finished with five catches for 102 yards, including a 38-yard grab that helped Seattle build momentum.

But a Deebo Samuel fumble gave Seattle the ball back, and the Seahawks turned it into another Myers field goal for a 26-21 lead. That advantage did not last. Purdy kept finding Evans, who caught passes of 23 and 28 yards on San Francisco’s next drive. Purdy then hit Brandin Cooks for a 7-yard touchdown, and a two-point pass to Evans made it 29-26.

Myers tied the game at 29-29 with 6:55 left, but McCaffrey helped San Francisco answer. His 13-yard run sparked the final drive, and Eddy Pineiro made a 44-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining. Darnold’s last push reached midfield, but three straight incompletions ended Seattle’s chance.

San Francisco showed it can win messy, close games as it heads to face the Washington Commanders. Seattle showed championship-level fight, but four turnovers proved too costly before its next game against the Denver Broncos.

Mike Evans Powers 49ers Past Seahawks in a 32-29 Escape