Niner Noise
FanSided

5 biggest blunders from SF 49ers loss vs. Washington

By Peter Panacy

Strong safety Kamren Curl #31 of the Washington Football Team on an interception thrown by quarterback Nick Mullens #4 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Strong safety Kamren Curl #31 of the Washington Football Team on an interception thrown by quarterback Nick Mullens #4 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Jeff Wilson, SF 49ers
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson (30) is tackled by Washington Football Team linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) and cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Jeff Wilson has a costly fumble

The SF 49ers’ margin for error at this point of the season is so thin, they simply can’t afford to turn the ball over.

And turnovers were a key reason why Washington won the game, as its two touchdowns came off defensive scores.

The Football Team didn’t score directly off running back Jeff Wilson Jr.’s second-quarter fumble, as the ball was punched loose by Chase Young and recovered by defensive tackle Daron Payne:

But it was a pretty big momentum-swinging play.

Washington just got on the board with a field goal a handful of plays before, making it 7-3. And the Niners had a chance to answer back with points of their own, considering Wilson already found the end zone earlier in the game.

Instead, Wilson’s fumble led directly to three more Washington points and turned momentum entirely in the Football Team’s favor.

Washington would score 20 unanswered points after the turnover, and one can only wonder how the game would have gone if Wilson, who has had fumbling issues as of late, would have held onto the ball.