The San Francisco 49ers have had a tumultuous start to the 2019 NFL season. After a promising 2018 campaign that saw the team reach the Super Bowl, the 49ers have stumbled out of the gate this year, losing four of their first five games. This has been a terrifying start to the season for 49ers fans, and it has left many wondering what went wrong. In this article, we will take a look at the 49ers’ struggles and break down what has gone wrong so far.
The most glaring issue for the 49ers has been their inability to score points. After averaging 29.9 points per game last season, the team is averaging just 17.4 points per game this year. This is largely due to the team’s struggles on offense, as they have been unable to establish a consistent passing attack. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been inconsistent, and the team has been unable to find a reliable target in the passing game. Additionally, the offensive line has been unable to open up running lanes for running backs Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman, resulting in a stagnant running game.
The defense has also been an issue for the 49ers. After leading the league in takeaways last season, the team is currently tied for last in the league with just three takeaways this year. This lack of turnovers has put the 49ers in difficult situations, as they have been unable to get off the field on third downs. Additionally, the team has struggled to generate a pass rush, as they have just six sacks in five games.
The 49ers have also been plagued by injuries this season. Star tight end George Kittle has missed two games due to a knee injury, while starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and linebacker Kwon Alexander have both missed multiple games due to injuries. The team has also been without defensive end Dee Ford for most of the season due to a hamstring injury.
The 49ers have a lot of work to do if they want to turn their season around. They need to find a way to generate more points on offense, create more turnovers on defense, and stay healthy. If they can do these things, then they should be able to get back on track and make a run at the playoffs. Until then, 49ers fans will be left wondering what went wrong this season.