49ers takeaways: What we learned in 26-23 win over Seahawks in Week 15

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SANTA CLARA -- A lot has changed in two weeks.

This was not the same 49ers team that got blown out in Seattle. Instead, a younger, faster, more-energetic version of the team stood toe-to-toe with the Seahawks on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

The 49ers snapped their 10-game head-to-head losing streak against the Seahawks with a remarkable 26-23 victory -- just two weeks after they were thumped 43-16 in Seattle.

Robbie Gould kicked a 36-yard field goal with 3:06 left in overtime for the win. The 49ers had not beaten the Pete Carroll-coached team since Dec. 8, 2013. That day, the 49ers won 19-17 at Candlestick Park.

The Seahawks (8-6) could have clinched a playoff spot with a victory over the 49ers, who improve to 4-10 on the season.    

Mullens making it happen

Nick Mullens continues to prove himself with nearly every chance he gets.

He made his sixth start at quarterback since taking over for injured C.J. Beathard, who replaced Jimmy Garoppolo after his season-ending knee injury in Week 3.

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said he considers it an even race to be Garoppolo’s backup next season. Certainly, Mullens has out-performed Beathard, but Beathard is considered to have the bigger upside. Beathard was a third-round draft pick in 2017, while Mullens was signed as an undrafted rookie.

Mullens had just three incomplete passes in the first half Sunday, and two of them were overthrows intended for tight end George Kittle. On Mullens’ second overthrow, Kittle had beaten Seahawks linebacker Austin Calitro and likely would have scored on a 71-yard touchdown.

Later, Mullens got no help from his receivers when Kendrick Bourne and Trent Taylor dropped huge fourth-quarter passes.

After throwing for 414 yards in Seattle two weeks ago, Mullens had another strong showing. He completed 20 of 29 attempts for 275 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. His passer rating was 110.6.

Mullens has done little wrong since getting his chance to play.

Defense benefits from injection of youth

Nose tackle D.J. Jones.

Linebacker Elijah Lee.

Safety Marcell Harris.

Nickel back D.J. Reed.

For the second game in a row, the 49ers went young on defense. And for the second consecutive game, that unit brought a spark to the team.

Still, the 49ers could not generate any takeaways. The defense has managed an absurdly low number of turnovers this season, ranking last in the NFL with just five.

The 49ers played hard, but they missed an opportunity to make a game-changing goal-line stand early in the fourth quarter when Jones, Lee and Reed each had their chances to bring down Seahawks running back Chris Carson on a fourth-down play. Carson kept fighting and got into the end zone to tie the score at 20.

The final stretch of the season has been encouraging for the young guys who comprise the 49ers’ defense. But the team still needs an outside pass rusher for the future.

Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner recorded two sacks Sunday, giving him 11 for the season. Buckner could be even more effective with more help on either side of him.  

James’ big play on special teams

Rookie Richie James got his chances on offense and on punt returns, and played his way off the field. But as a kick returner, James finally made his mark.

After the Seahawks took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, James answered with a 97-yard kickoff return to give the 49ers the lead. He received blocks from Garrett Celek, Mark Nzeochia and James Onwualu. James then broke through Justin Coleman's attempted arm tackle, cut inside to avoid kicker Sebastian Janikowski and remained ahead of Neiko Thorpe en route to the end zone.

It was the 49ers’ first kick or punt return for a touchdown since Sept. 11, 2011, when Ted Ginn returned a kick and a punt for touchdowns in a game against Seattle at Candlestick.

James, a seventh-round pick from Middle Tennessee State, has just five receptions on the season for 94 yards despite getting his shot to be the team’s regular slot receiver when Trent Taylor was sidelined earlier in the season.