The San Francisco 49ers hosted the Seattle Seahawks in a nationally-televised matchup on "Thursday Night Football."

Seattle took a 17-0 lead into the locker room at halftime and held on for a 20-3 victory. Seattle improved to 3-4 on the year; the 49ers dropped to 2-5.

Here's what we took away from the game.

Seattle strikes rirst, takes advantage of fast start

After a 3-and-out by the 49ers offense to open the game, Seattle found early momentum offensively. Marshawn Lynch proceeded to convert a critical 4th-and-1 from San Francisco's 3-yard line. The physical runner later crossed the goal-line on a 3rd-and-goal plunge to give Seattle an early 7-0 lead.

Lynch carried the ball nine times for 38 yards on the 61-yard scoring drive. It took Lynch five short-yardage attempts inside the 3-yard line to get into the end zone.

Seattle took a 10-0 lead on a 49-yard Steven Hauschka field goal in the second quarter.

Russell Wilson later completed a 43-yard deep touchdown to rookie receiver Tyler Lockett with 2:44 left in the half to make it a 17-0 game.

Seattle out-gained San Francisco 269 to 55 in total yards. The Seahawks also produced eight more first downs than the 49ers. The biggest challenge for the home team came on third downs. San Francisco failed to convert a third down in the first half. Seattle converted 2 of 5 third downs on its trio of first-half scoring drives.

The 17-point hole proved to be too much for the home team to overcome. Lynch rushed 27 times for 122 yards. Wilson threw for 235 yards on the night and was intercepted twice and sacked five times. The sacks and turnovers were not enough to propel the home team to a victory.

Bowman plays majority of the game NaVorro Bowman hardly left the field for the 49ers defense. After playing 77 snaps last Sunday in a win over the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco's defensive captain played nearly another whole game just five days later. Bowman took 10 plays off on Thursday.

it was a good sign for the linebacker who suffered a major knee injury in his last game against Seattle in the 2013 NFC Championship Game.

Bowman finished the game with 10 tackles. Gerald Hodges also made his 49ers debut and recorded a fourth-quarter tackle.

Bethea injures shoulder

Antoine Bethea left the field and headed to the locker room in the second quarter. Second-round draft pick Jaquiski Tartt entered the game at strong safety.

Tartt remained in the game in the second half. Bethea totaled five tackles before leaving the field. Tartt finished the game with nine tackles and brought down Lynch for a short loss in the second half.

*Picks on Wilson *- Tramaine Brock recorded the game's first turnover on a Wilson pass intended for Doug Baldwin in the end zone. It was Brock's team-leading third interception of the year.

• Kenneth Acker later tied Brock for the team lead with a key takeaway of his own. Wilson's third-quarter deep ball intended for Jermaine Kearse was picked off by the 49ers cornerback, who made an excellent high-point catch inside of San Francisco's 5-yard line. The play served as an arm-punt by Seattle's quarterback. The 49ers drove down the field after the takeaway and scored their first points of the game on a 35-yard Phil Dawson field goal. **

** Sacks on Wilson

Seattle entered Week 7 with the most sacks allowed in the NFL at 26. Ahmad Brooks, Quinton Dial and Aaron Lynch recorded sacks on Wilson. Lynch and Brooks both dropped Wilson for a second time in the fourth quarter. San Francisco finished with a season-high five sacks on the night. It was a step in the right direction for a defense that did not record a sack in Weeks 5 and 6.Niners Notes
- Hodges played some in for Michael Wilhoite on Seattle's fourth drive. Wilhoite later returned to the field and led all players with 13 tackles.

• With Jarryd Hayne inactive for the first time of his rookie season, Reggie Bush fielded punts. He returned one punt for nine yards. Bruce Ellington assumed the role of kick returner. He averaged 24.3 yards on three returns. Both Bush and Ellington had been battling leg injuries in previous weeks.

• Jordan Devey made his seventh start of the season at right guard. He also continued to split time with Andrew Tiller as the game went on.

• Bradley Pinion averaged 43.3 yards on his nine punts. Two of the punts were downed inside the 20-yard line.