Golden Nuggets: 3 games against one win teams

Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 edition of the Golden Nuggets, a daily compilation of San Francisco 49ers links from the Internet

By Billy Kerr@bkerr725 Oct 24, 2018, 2:00am PDT

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At 1-6, the 49ers enter the softer part of their schedule. They play the Arizona Cardinals, the Oakland Raiders, and the New York Giants in the next 3 weeks. All 4 teams have one win each and are positioned to be drafting early in next year’s draft. This was not a position the 49ers thought they would be in when the season started. The high hopes quickly faded after key players went down to injury and the team started playing poorly.

There have been a few issues with the team’s play so far this season, but the most eye-opening is the offense giving the ball away. They have 18 turnovers on the season, 10 interceptions and 8 fumbles. C.J. Beathard has 7 interceptions and 5 fumbles in the 4 games he’s played. That is not acceptable as the team’s quarterback. He has to protect the football much better. The team is currently ranked last in turnover differential at -15. The offense turns the ball over and the defense has been unable to force their own turnovers.

Another issue is the regression of some of the young players. Reuben Foster, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Adrian Colbert are having rough 2nd seasons. All 3 were supposed to be a big part of this team’s future. They showed flashes of good play last season, but that has not been the case this season. Richard Sherman’s arrival forced quarterbacks to throw Witherspoon’s way and he has been to unable to replicate his play from last season. They are not the only ones not playing well, but they have taken the biggest steps back in their development and that is concerning moving forward.

49ers links

Theme of the season | Another player down (Cohn)

That was always the goal of the season | Still focusing on the long-term (Chan)

Mailbag questions (Inman)

Still plenty of work to get done (Wagoner)

The secondary has been terrible other than Richard Sherman | Worst in league on pass coverage (PFF)

Draft positions should be decided in these games | Soft part of the schedule coming up (Madson)

They are being exposed this season | Sophomore slumps (Chan)

1-6 start (Fann)

Welcome back Aaron | Aaron Burbridge back on the practice squad (49ers staff)

Former 49ers speak to the current squad (Maiocco)

Don’t think a trade will happen | Potential trades? (Biderman)