49ers: 3 big things from preseason Week 3 loss to the Colts

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: Chris McCain #76 of the Indianapolis Colts rushes against Andrew Lauderdale #61 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: Chris McCain #76 of the Indianapolis Colts rushes against Andrew Lauderdale #61 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 08: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass in front of Matthias Farley #41 of the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter of a game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 08: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass in front of Matthias Farley #41 of the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter of a game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The 49ers aren’t over their drops and redzone problem

One major issue the San Francisco 49ers had last year was dropped passes. Per the Washington Post, the 49ers were tied for the second-most drops with 29, only one less than the Atlanta Falcons.

Now, most stats related with the 49ers offense can be confusing because you have the pre-Jimmy Garoppolo stats and the post-Garoppolo stats. That being said, drops were something that plagued both renditions of the 49ers squad.

In this preseason Week 3 game especially, drops were a huge factor. Both Cole Hikutini and Dante Pettis dropped touchdowns.

Which leads me to my next takeaway: the red zone.  The 49ers were 27th in red-zone conversion percentage last year, per Team Rankings,  and although they were much better under Garoppolo, the issues weren’t just at the quarterback position.

These two issues of drops and red-zone efficiency, they go hand in hand. And even throughout this preseason, the issues haven’t been resolved. The 49ers starting offense has scored one touchdown in eight drives.

Not exactly elite.

For more coverage about the game, check out the link above. And don’t worry too much about the red zone. There is still time to iron out some kinks.

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