It was the same story on a different week. Playing against the undefeated Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers lost the turnover battle and the game, 39-10.
Turnovers
As has been the case the last three games, the 49ers are hemorrhaging turnovers and forcing none. Today it was four and it’s been 11 total over the last three weeks.
“It’s inexcusable,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “It’s impossible to win in this league when you turn the ball over like we are and you when don’t get any. So, having four today – four to zero, I think it’s 24 points off turnovers and I think they got nine points off the blocked punt with the safety and (the punt return to the 49ers 13 yard line which they converted into a touchdown). In order for us to be able to play in a football game, we have to protect the ball and get the ball.”
Facing Aaron Donald – who finished his day with four sacks, eight solo tackles, six tackles for loss and five QB hits – and the Rams’ defense meant the 49ers offense had to be perfect. They were not. The Rams scored 24 points off the 49ers’ turnovers, quarterback C.J. Beathard was sacked seven times and well, the turnovers.
“Hold on to the ball,” tight end George Kittle, who remains a bright spot for this team, said. “That’s about it. That’s on all of us. That’s a mindset by a team. If you don’t get the ball on defense and you turn it over on offense, you can’t do anything. Minus four is rough and you can’t expect to beat one of the best offenses in the league giving them the ball at the 50-yard line.”
For his part, Kittle finished the day with five receptions for 98 yards.
Beathard finished the day 15-of-27 for 170 yards, one TD, two interceptions, a fumble and as mentioned, was sacked seven times.
“It’s not just C.J., it’s everyone,” Shanahan said. “The quarterback – when the ball leaves his hands – he’s going to get credit for that turnover, but by no means is it 100% on C.J. Of course, he’s got to do better. I’ve got to do better and we’ve got to do a lot better around him.”
Left tackle Joe Staley agrees.
“It was a bad effort,” Staley said. “We control what we do up front. What our job is as offensive linemen was a poor job today. No excuses there. We just didn’t get it done and didn’t give C.J. time. He was under a lot of duress the whole game. We have to do a better job of opening up the run game. Holding onto the ball has unfortunately become a theme the last couple of weeks so we have a lot to work on.”
Injuries
The injury bug continued today for the Niners. Cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Jimmie Ward were inactive, giving Ahkello Witherspoon and Greg Mabin the start.
Adrian Colbert suffered a lower leg injury in the third quarter, and though he didn’t come back in the game, the injury doesn’t appear to be as serious as feared.
“It is about the process,” Colbert said. “It is about trusting the process and getting the product at the end. Right now it is tough. We are going to keep working and keep fighting. No matter how many people go down, we are going to keep fighting and believing in each other.”
In addition to Colbert, LB Reuben Foster left with a shoulder sprain, S Jaquiski Tartt with a stinger and RB Matt Breida, who has been battling injuries, rolled his ankle.
“I tried to keep on playing,” Breida said. “I have to be smart and not hurt my team at the same time. If I can’t go out there and go 100%, I have to let the guys that can do it.”
Notes
- Rams quarterback Jared Goff finished the day 18-of-24 for 202 yards and two touchdowns.
- Rams running back Todd Gurley 15 carries for 63 yards and four receptions for 23 yards.
- The 49ers head to Arizona to face the 1-6 Cardinals on October 28. That one win came against San Francisco on Oct. 7. Nowhere to go but up!