In the heart of the NFL season, the San Francisco 49ers find themselves at a crossroads once again. It’s a familiar scenario for the team, reminiscent of the challenges they faced around this time last year. The Kansas City Chiefs had recently delivered a decisive blow to the 49ers, pushing them to a 3-4 record. However, as history has shown, the solutions to their problems may already be within their grasp.
Last year, the 49ers made a bold move by acquiring running back Christian McCaffrey in a blockbuster trade. The idea was simple – McCaffrey’s arrival would ignite a second-half surge for the team. And ignite it did. The 49ers went on a remarkable 10-game winning streak, propelling them to the NFC Championship Game.
Fast forward to the present, and the 49ers are once again heading into a crucial bye week, but this time with a better record. However, their recent struggles, including a disappointing 31-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, have raised concerns. The team’s once-perfect 5-0 start has been marred by three consecutive losses, knocking them out of first place in the NFC West.
Amidst these challenges, head coach Kyle Shanahan has made it clear that they won’t be banking on another McCaffrey-like savior arriving via trade. The focus, he emphasizes, is on self-improvement from within. It’s a process that begins with self-reflection during the bye week before their upcoming clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 12.
Shanahan’s belief in the team’s potential is resolute. “I believe we have good players. I believe we have good coaches. It’s up to me to get them to do better,” he stated. The team’s recent woes are a stark contrast to their early-season dominance. They were able to cover up mistakes during their strong start but have been unable to do so in their recent losses.
The numbers speak volumes about their struggles. The 49ers have been outscored by an average of 7 points per game, outgained by an average of 62 yards per game, and have given up 15 plays of 20-plus yards over the past three weeks. Their once-impressive turnover margin has also taken a hit, with seven turnovers in this period.
Quarterback Brock Purdy, who had avoided interceptions during the first five weeks, has thrown five in the last three games, hampering the team’s ability to run the ball effectively. These issues are compounded by an unexpected dip in the defense’s performance.
The 49ers, known for their robust defense in recent years, have shown a decline in recent weeks. Despite the change in defensive coordinator, the unit has struggled to contain opponents, allowing nearly 70 more passing yards per game.
The upcoming bye week offers a chance to heal injuries, allowing key players like Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel to recuperate. However, it will take more than just that to get the team back on track. With matchups against Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Philadelphia, and another game against Seattle looming, the 49ers need to regroup and refocus.
Kyle Shanahan sums up the situation perfectly, “I think our guys need to be pissed off a little bit. I think we need to come back with a little better focus because it hasn’t been enough, and we haven’t been getting it done.”
In essence, the 49ers’ journey to rediscover their winning ways is an internal quest for improvement, guided by the belief that the answers lie within their own ranks.