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5 crucial takeaways from the 49ers Week 1 win vs. Buccaneers

By James Jones

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 08: Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates an interception returned for a touchdown during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 08: Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates an interception returned for a touchdown during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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HADLEY, MA – SEPTEMBER 30: Penalty flags are seen on the field during the game between the Ohio Bobcats and the Massachusetts Minutemen at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Hadley, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
HADLEY, MA – SEPTEMBER 30: Penalty flags are seen on the field during the game between the Ohio Bobcats and the Massachusetts Minutemen at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Hadley, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Penalties Still an Issue

Kyle Shanahan hoped the penalties and self-inflicted wounds his team experienced over the course of the preseason were addressed and fixed entering Week 1.

That was decidedly not the case.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers committed 11 penalties for 87 yards on the day. The only silver lining from this statistic is, in the end, it did not cause the team to lose this game. Even with that fact, there were three penalties which stuck out like a failed touchdown pass, or two as it were.

There were five total touchdowns called back as a result of penalties in this game, three on the 49ers side of the ball. Two passes from Jimmy Garoppolo to George Kittle were called back on separate drives, much to the chagrin of the Pro Bowl tight end.

“Well, on that I’m pretty sure (Kyle Juszczyk) Juice and (Mike) McGlinchey are playing against me in fantasy football,” said Kittle, as he attempted to make light of his stolen touchdowns. “So I’m pretty sure that’s what that was. That’s not my fault.”

The third score called back because of penalty was a 15-yard run off right tackle to pay dirt by running back Raheem Mostert. One positive of that play was Mostert continued to show his speed and ability to fill in for Tevin Coleman for however long it takes for the latter to return from his ankle injury.

If even one of Kittle’s touchdowns stood, it stands to reason the outcome of this game would have been decided long before it was. Even with two of the penalties being somewhat suspect, the team needs to shore up this area of play if they hope to have even a chance of playing meaningful games in December.