3 games SF 49ers couldn’t afford to lose in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Week 14 when SF 49ers can’t overcome turnovers vs. Washington
If there was one game on the Niners’ 2020 schedule nearly everyone circled as a definite win when the schedule came out last spring, it was Week 14 against the Washington Football Team.
Poor Washington was going through a coaching change, had no clear answers at quarterback and was lacking offensive skill players across the board. While the defense was an up-and-coming unit, few ever anticipated the Football Team pulling off any sort of upset over San Francisco.
Even according to the oddsmakers just before Week 14 rolled around.
Nevertheless, Washington pulled off the 23-15 victory over the SF 49ers, which included 23 unanswered points between the second and third quarters and two defensive touchdowns.
Yes, the SF 49ers actually outgained the Football Team 344 yards to 236, while Washington had just 95 net passing yards to the Niners’ 236.
But those three San Francisco turnovers were killers, and the loss guaranteed head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. wouldn’t finish the season with anything better than a .500 record.