Jaguars expose 49ers’ costly turnover problem in painful fashion

Both head coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh should be pretty upset with how the San Francisco 49ers fared on both sides of the ball in Week 4's home bout against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Saleh's defense entered Week 4 without an interception, while the Jags were leading the NFL with nine defensive takeaways, meaning whoever protected the ball most and took advantage of turnovers would be in an excellent position to win.

Well, Jacksonville certainly continued its reputation, generating two takeaways within minutes of the second quarter.

The Jaguars forced a fumble from the hands of tight end Luke Farrell, subsequently scoring a go-ahead touchdown in immediate response, and then Jags linebacker Devin Lloyd picked off a pass from quarterback Brock Purdy that bounced off the extended hands of running back Christian McCaffrey.

Ouch.

49ers can't sniff how well Jaguars are at generating turnovers

San Francisco's own turnover-generating woes certainly weren't going to be made easier without defensive end Nick Bosa, whose season-ending ACL tear meant quarterback Trevor Lawrence would almost be guaranteed more time in the pocket.

Meanwhile, the 49ers entered the game as one of only five teams without an interception while their three defensive takeaways were tied for 10th worst.

Without question, Saleh's return as coordinator has all but ensured the Niners got off to a 3-0 start, as each of their wins to date would have been losses a year ago at this time under then-coordinator Nick Sorensen.

But the lack of playmaking takeaways has been an issue, and it reared its ugly head in the biggest way possible throughout Week 4 against a Jags squad that prides itself on taking the ball away.

Perhaps the law of averages will start to play itself out, and those takeaways will come for Saleh and the rest of San Francisco's defense.

Until that happens, though, the 49ers will have to ensure they protect the ball better than the defense can generate takeaways.

And it's not happening.