It’s about a slew of minor and major issues that culminated in a lengthy losing run and a franchise-wide funk. It’s about the 49ers’ strongest components not looking particularly strong and their weakest parts looking just how anyone would expect.
As John Lynch evaluates the current three-game slide after a far more impressive start to the season, the 49ers clearly have some things to iron out during this bye week and before their Nov. 12 game at Jacksonville… but not everything. The core argument remains the same: They have one of the league’s most talented and physical teams, which they just boosted with the acquisition of defensive end Chase Young, and with a little relaxation and potentially some better health, the attitude at 49ers headquarters should improve very soon.
Because things were looking and feeling pretty good on Oct. 8, just after they thrashed the Dallas Cowboys on national television. Perhaps it was too good in retrospect.
“We were a 5-0 team; you know, human nature does kick in,” Lynch stated this week on my program. “And this team works hard; there is no shortage of work.” But, given human nature, when everyone is praising you how terrific you are, the specifics can be lost. We made every effort not to let that happen. They did, however.
“We faced some tough opponents and quarterbacks.” I believe (Minnesota’s Kirk) Cousins was playing as good as he has in his career before tearing his Achilles (last Saturday) over that two-game span.
