SEATTLE – The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Seahawks 36:24.

Heading into Thursday night, the 49ers didn't think it was possible to call the game “an unconditional win.”

At least mathematically, there is no such thing in Week 6 of the NFL season. But defensive end Nick Bosa and his teammates were clear in their assessment Tuesday that this was the best thing possible under the circumstances.

At 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the NFC West division, a loss to the Seahawks wouldn't have ended the 49ers' season, but it would have dug the hole significantly deeper.

Even as things piled up on Thursday night in Seattle against San Francisco — more injuries, unseen rep prospects and special teams issues, to name a few — the 49ers sent a reminder that they won't allow their Super Bowl window to end without a closure closed will fight.

Somehow, even at 3-3, these Niners are back at the top of the division, tied with Seattle in points, but now trailing head-to-head.

This came despite playing without cornerback Charvarius Ward, losing running back Jordan Mason (left shoulder) and safety Malik Mustapha (ankle) to injuries that kept them out for much of the game, and others such as tight end George Kittle and receiver Deebo , hit Samuel Sr. limped off the field at various points.

Additionally, the 49ers overcame a bizarre refereeing incident in which coach Kyle Shanahan found Seahawks returner Dee Williams touched a punt and San Francisco recovered it deep in Seattle territory. Officials confirmed the statement that Williams did not touch it, although viewers were shown “extended” replays suggesting he had. That replay was not available to Seattle officials, according to the broadcast.

The 49ers probably should have turned away Seattle much sooner. But they have made it clear in the first six weeks that nothing will be easy this year. On Thursday night, the Niners proved they're up to the challenge when things don't go their way.

QB breakdown: Brock Purdy was under pressure for most of Thursday's game, but that didn't stop him from finding ways to make the plays he needed to get the win. Purdy finished the game 18 of 28 for 255 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. It was exactly what the 49ers needed.

Worrying trend: At some point, the 49ers will have to do something about their special teams woes. It was a problem in the biggest moments of their Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and persisted through the first six games of this season.

On Thursday night, the Niners appeared poised to keep the Seahawks at bay with a touchdown drive to open the second half. But they gave those points back almost immediately, allowing a 97-yard kick return for a touchdown.

Add to that the fake punt they allowed for a first down that turned the Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams into a rout, and the 39-yard kick return they allowed that resulted in Kicker Jake Moody injured Cardinals last week in the loss to the Los Angeles Rams and made a handful of other costly mistakes this season.

It's difficult to make sweeping changes to special teams in the middle of the season, but something has to happen. Soon.

Silver linings: Due to injuries to Mason and Ward, the 49ers turned to two rookies to fill the void. There were some difficult moments, but cornerback Renardo Green and running back Isaac Guerendo were up to the task and made two plays that helped decide the game.

Green intercepted Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith in the fourth quarter to help the Niners extend the lead to double digits, and Guerendo finished the game with 10 carries for 99 yards, including a 76-yard burst that ended all of Seattle's hopes hope for a comeback. – Nick Wagoner

Next game: vs. Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, October 20)

The Seahawks are still trying to overcome the hurdle of the 49ers, who have had a large number of players over the past two or more seasons.

For now, they'll have to settle for advancing against their division rivals, with the consolation that brings to a Seahawks team that has lost three straight games after an 0-3 start.

The gap between Seattle and San Francisco didn't appear to be quite as big Thursday night as it was when the 49ers won the last five meetings by a combined score of 148-72. This seemed to be another blowout before the Seahawks stormed back in the third quarter and made a game of it. It was a gutsy performance for a team short-handed and exhausted after three games in 11 days.

But if they can't beat the 49ers at home while San Francisco's defense has struggled and the offense is missing Christian McCaffrey, when can they do it?

QB collapse: The 49ers defense managed to make life difficult for Smith, and it was a similar story Thursday night. This time it wasn't because he was overwhelmed by the pressure in San Francisco, as he had been in previous meetings. But he couldn't do much with the clean pockets he had, as he threw for 312 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and a 57.7% completion rate that didn't resemble Smith's.

His first interception came on a throw to Tyler Lockett, while the second went to cornerback Green on the right who skipped a crosser to DK Metcalf. Smith had some bad luck earlier this season, as two of his interceptions came on tip throws. But there was nothing unusual about these.

Worrying trend: The Seahawks turn the ball over far more often than they take it away. Only four teams had a turnover margin worse than theirs, at minus-3 on Thursday. That's now minus-6 after Smith's two interceptions and Laviska Shenault Jr.'s lost fumble on a kickoff return. Shenault made up for the mistake by returning a late kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, but that's not a sustainable trend.

Biggest gap in the game plan: The Seahawks' running game remains a problem. Through the first five games, the main problem was that they relied way too much on their passing game, finishing last in the NFL in projected rush rate. They ran more on Thursday night but didn't have much success, managing just 52 total yards on 20 attempts before the two-score deficit forced them into throwing mode. Kenneth Walker III scored a touchdown but only managed 32 yards on 14 carries. –Brady Henderson

Next game: at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, October 20)