5 things Kyle Shanahan, 49ers need to accomplish during Week 4 bye
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Work on Cutting Down Turnovers
Penalties have been a big problem, but the 49ers are even worse when it comes to taking care of the ball.
Just ask KNBR 680’s Al Sacco:
#49ers are tied for worst in the NFL with eight turnovers and have had 25 accepted penalties against them (tied for fourth worst). Yet, they sit at 3-0.
— Al Sacco (@AlSacco49) September 23, 2019
Two ways to look at this: 1) If SF cleans it up the sky's the limit, or 2) If they don't, winning just isn't sustainable
There is the other aforementioned conclusion about the win streak, despite the turnover issue. Perhaps the Niners have better talent in 2018 than they did last season.
That said, San Francisco won’t be able to afford turning the ball over when teams like the Rams, Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens are on the schedule, which they are later on.
A year ago, the 49ers turned the ball over 32 times, which was the third most in the league. The lack of defensive takeaways created one of the worst turnover differentials in recent league history.
Thankfully, the Niners being able to force defensive takeaways this season has negated the offense’s inability to protect the ball somewhat (see Week 3 as a prime example).
But that won’t last forever, as Sacco pointed out.