Five things that stood out in the 49ers’ first loss of the season

Five things that stood out in the 49ers' first loss of the season.

Key points

• San Francisco went into the game banged up as injuries continue to accumulate, missing Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr.
• "Anytime you have four turnovers like that, and you get zero, it's real tough to win, " 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan remarked.
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• Adam Kaufman breaks down his top three best bets for NFL Week 7, sharing his favorite picks and predictions ahead of this weekend's matchups.
• George Kittle led the team in receptions with eight catches for 88 yards.

Five things that stood out in the 49ers' first loss of the season. Marcus D. Smith USA TODAY. Our favorite NFL Week 7 bets to create.

Adam Kaufman breaks down his top three best bets for NFL Week 7, sharing his favorite picks and predictions ahead of this weekend's matchups. The San Francisco 49ers are no longer unblemished.

For context, the Niners had their undefeated streak to open the season snapped after losing to the Atlanta Falcons, 29-20, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, Oct. 25. San Francisco went into the game banged up as injuries continue to accumulate, missing Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr. And others.

San Francisco had four turnovers that contributed to their downfall on Sunday. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 288 yards and a touchdown, completing 27-of-40 passes, but additionally threw two interceptions on the day. The 49ers lost a couple of fumbles when they were looking at scoring opportunities.

In practice, the silver lining in their performance is that although it was sloppy, the game was still within reach when it was remarked and done.

"Anytime you have four turnovers like that, and you get zero, it's real tough to win, " 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan remarked. "I don't know about the amount of penalties, but to the timing of some penalties, just keeping them on the field. Too sloppy to win."

George Kittle led the team in receptions with eight catches for 88 yards. Christian McCaffrey had six catches for 61 yards. He additionally had 39 rushing yards on seven carries. Defensively, linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw led the Niners with 13 and 12 tackles, respectively.

"Unfortunately, we're not going undefeated this year, " Warner remarked. "We have to continue to obtain better as a team. I feel like today we didn't obtain better. We took a step back."

Here's what stood out in the 49ers first loss of the season.

More: 32 things we learned in NFL Week 7: As trade deadline nears, so do showcase opportunities. Five things that stood out in San Francisco 49ers' first loss. Turnovers botch winning chances.

Notably, the 49ers committed four turnovers but still managed to keep the game close.

Purdy threw two interceptions. It matched his season total going into the game. Kaelon Black lost a fumble late in the second quarter as the Niners were driving downfield. Kittle lost one in 4th, ending San Francisco's hopes of a miracle turnaround.

"I think we were just disappointed about ourselves for having turnovers in the red zone, " Kittle remarked. "The turning point was probably the turnovers. I mean, we had four. I think everybody's going to say regarding the same thing. Four turnovers. Hard to win football games (and) still had a chance at the end." Deep, talented roster is running thin.

San Francisco has done well in the "next man up" department. They've dealt with injury after injury and continue to find guys to step in and produce as if the 49ers hadn't missed a beat.

"It's the NFL. Injuries happen, " Kittle remarked. "It's just how much depth you have, how plenty of vets do you have that can stay healthy, that can, like, continue to keep the standard play up? That's all that really matters. I think when you have a really good coaching staff, like the ones we have that offer us an opportunity every single week to go out there and produce plays, they try to put guys in good positions to succeed. That's what gives you a chance to win." Still, the 49ers can't keep affording to lose players.

Meanwhile, the 49ers paid for their penalties in the game. They came at pivotal moments, making their impact more costly. In total, San Francisco committed seven penalties giving up 55 yards. 49ers need to preserve CMC, lean on Kaelon Black.

Kaelon Black is really significant to San Francisco's success. Jordan James, too. They are the ones that will be able to offer McCaffrey a much-needed break. For a dual threat running back, McCaffrey's usage is higher than most. Black has to be productive so that McCaffrey can lessen the wear and tear on his body.

He's obtained to be able to dependable, meaning he can't lose a crucial fumble when momentum is on their side.

"Making sure we stay focused. Locked in on the details, " Black remarked. "It starts with me in my role that I'm playing, I can't turn the ball over. I know as a running back, you know, 100% ball security is the main focus." Jordan Watkins is due for a breakout game.

In practice, the wide receiver position group has been incomplete, but those who have been active have been the placeholder until guys obtain healthy. Jordan Watkins has created the most of his opportunities.

"I think the coaches do a really, really good job at finding ways to get us the ball, we just gotta execute, " Watkins remarked. "I feel like it was just more like, it's time to step up. You know, whenever my number's called, just be ready to go in there and create plays."

Against the Falcons, he tallied three catches for 56 yards and additionally had a touchdown called incomplete as Watkins didn't maintain possession through the catch going to the ground. You can see the potential in Watkins.

"Me and Brock (Purdy) have been working since camp, so, obviously, there's a lot of trust there, " Watkins remarked. "We just gotta keep getting reps continued. We'll see when those guys come back and until then, you know, I'm ready for just to step up and create plays."

He's due for a major game. San Francisco should continue to trust in him as they obtain the rest of their WR room back in order from injury. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, five things that stood out in the 49ers first loss of the remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.