Niners Nation
The San Francisco 49ers had a disappointing 26-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, falling short despite having numerous opportunities in a mistake-filled afternoon.
It was not a pretty game from the start for the 49ers, who had multiple early turnovers and continuously dug themselves into holes.
Quarterback Brock Purdy made his return, but didn’t look the part, while several injuries at wide receiver hurt the 49ers late in the game.
Here are three quick takeaways from the 49ers 26-21 loss to the Jaguars.
Questionable decision-making from Purdy
It was a rough afternoon for Brock Purdy, who had three turnovers, including a fumble that cost the 49ers the game late in the fourth quarter.
The turnovers were back-breakers for the 49ers. Purdy’s first interception came when the 49ers were driving in Jacksonville territory. He had multiple checkdown options open, but forced a pass over the middle of the field to Christian McCaffrey that was a little high and went off the running back’s hands into those of Devin Lloyd.
Purdy’s second interception came after a major defensive stop in the third quarter, as the 49ers had all the momentum on their side after scoring a touchdown to open the second half. It was a killer, coming on the first play of the drive, as his pass was intercepted by Lloyd again after being tipped at the line of scrimmage.
The decision wasn’t a great one anyway, as the intended receiver, Jauan Jennings, seemed well-covered by defenders running a dig, and gave Jacksonville great field position.
The third one was the clincher, though, as the 49ers got to the 50-yard line before Purdy fumbled after getting sacked by Arik Armstead.
The turnovers were brutal, but they weren’t the only issues on Sunday. Purdy consistently missed open receivers high, and was late on a few throws and reads (including a key deep out to Ricky Pearsall).
It doesn’t help that the 49ers struggled in the run game again, due to run-blocking woes, as one of my keys was calming down Purdy’s gunslinger mentality. San Francisco also had a different receiver core.
But, the 49ers paid Purdy big-time money to show up in games like this. He did not on Sunday.
Red zone woes continue
Another one of my keys to the game was executing in the red zone. And the 49ers continued to struggle there.
San Francisco entered the game as the 24th-best red zone offense. They were facing a defense that led the league in limiting red zone trips (two per game), and was 11th in opponent red zone touchdown rate.
The 49ers had an opportunity early on, going on a 13-play, 57-yard drive. But, when it came to the red zone, their struggles came out. San Francisco couldn’t run the ball (Christian McCaffrey had two carries for one yard), and Eddy Piniero had to settle for a 26-yard field goal.
On their next opportunity, the 49ers got within the 10-yard line once again. McCaffrey had a two-yard run on...
