The 49ers missed multiple opportunities in a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
San Francisco was 1–3 on fourth downs in the game, and two failed conversion attempts proved costly.
The 49ers' first turnover came when quarterback Brock Purdy threw an incomplete pass to wide receiver Jauan Jennings on fourth-and-goal from the 2 with 10:31 remaining in the second quarter. The Vikings' subsequent drive resulted in a spectacular 97-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Darnold to wide receiver Justin Jefferson, increasing Minnesota's lead to 10–0.
San Francisco's second turnover came on its next drive, when Purdy scrambled on fourth down and 2 but was tackled before the first down marker, giving Minnesota the ball at its 42 with 6:36 minutes remaining in the first half.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan explained his approach to fourth down decisions while speaking to reporters after the game.
“I didn’t mind making the decision in those situations. Where we were on the field,” Shanahan said. “When you’re just outside field-goal range, down and distance, and I didn’t mind going in. [2]Knowing we were going to push them back. They tried really hard to get out of there, but obviously, they didn't like the results.”
The 49ers played poorly on both sides of the ball, and perhaps Purdy's two turnovers were the most costly mistakes. However, when a team loses by one point, as San Francisco did, two failed fourth down attempts loom even larger.
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