3 things SF 49ers must improve on during Week 11 bye
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: SF 49ers must cut down on turnovers and giveaways
San Francisco was “in it” for the first half of its Week 10 game against the Saints, controlling the clock early and maintaining elongated drives to keep New Orleans’ high-octane offense at bay.
But four costly turnovers by the SF 49ers ultimately thwarted any chances for an upset, and the Niners would go on to lose 27-13 after committing four turnovers to the Saints’ two.
Giveaways have been a problem for San Francisco’s offense all season. Kyle Shanahan’s squad has already turned the ball over 17 times this season — 11 interceptions thrown and six fumbles — which is tied for the third most before Week 11. Nick Mullens’ interception percentage after Week 10 climbed to 3.5, which is just a 10th of a point behind the mark set by the SF 49ers’ starter, Jimmy Garoppolo.
Both quarterbacks are ranked Nos. 4 and 5, respectively, for the highest interception percentage among qualifiers this season.
San Francisco’s defense, often paying the price for the offense’s lack of ball security, has tried to make up the difference with turnovers of its own.
Yet the SF 49ers are still dealing with a poorish turnover differential through 10 weeks — minus-0.5, which ranks fifth-worst in the league.
If the Niners expect to stay in games, they’ll need to take better care of the ball.