The San Francisco 49ers started 2-0 but have since lost three consecutive games. No one inside the organization is panicking, though. Instead, the focus remains on one game at a time. That means looking toward the Indianapolis Colts, not backward at the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals.
At 2-3, San Francisco sits in last place within the NFC West. However, general manager John Lynch is confident he and head coach Kyle Shanahan have built a roster that can rebound. The 49ers are in their bye week, and a lot of football remains in this 17-game season.
"I'm fully confident [the pieces are in place to turn things around] because of the people in our room and the character of the people in our room, because of the people we have in leadership positions," Lynch told NBC Sports Bay Area this week. "And I do think, when you say, 'What needs to take place?' I think, in a hurry, we've got to find out who [we are] as a team."
The 49ers have lost each of the past three games by seven or fewer points. Each was winnable, but the team failed to capitalize on several opportunities.
"Not that we have been making excuses, but there are no excuses. We've got to find a way to win football games," Lynch continued. "And when you have Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers down with 37 seconds left, find a way to close it out. Find a way not to start in a 17-0 hole, such that we're in that position in the first place."
While the 49ers defense did an impressive job of slowing the high-powered Cardinals offense in Week 5, San Francisco has just two takeaways this season — one interception and one fumble recovery. Only the winless Jacksonville Jaguars have fewer, with one. In addition, the Niners have given the football away seven times, giving them a turnover differential of -5.
By comparison, the Buffalo Bills lead the league with 15 takeaways and a turnover differential of +11.
"Our defense is playing really good football, but find a way, when the ball is in the air, take it away," Lynch added. "Those are things that translate to wins and losses. I think as we start to do those things, we'll get a little momentum going, and it needs to start when we get back off this by with the Indianapolis Colts. And I have full confidence that it will."