The San Francisco 49ers have started the 2026 season with six consecutive victories despite dealing with injuries and close games along the way. With another Super Bowl run in their sights, though, their recent special-teams mistakes are threatening to derail the quest for that elusive sixth Lombardi trophy.

So far, kicker Eddy Piñeiro has missed six kicks through six games, while punt returner Jacob Cowing has muffed punts in consecutive weeks. The 49ers have managed to overcome those mistakes, but their 23-17 victory over the Washington Commanders on Monday showed how costly a missed kick can become as a game progresses.


Piñeiro and Cowing Raise Concerns


Against Washington on Monday, Piñeiro missed the extra point following Christian McCaffrey's first-quarter touchdown, leaving San Francisco ahead 13-3 instead of 14-3.

The 49ers eventually extended their lead to 23-3, but Washington fought back and cut the deficit to 23-17 in the fourth quarter. With the Commanders threatening to score again, that missed extra point from the first quarter became much more significant.

A Washington touchdown and successful extra point would have given the Commanders a 24-23 lead. Had Piñeiro made his earlier kick, the same touchdown and extra point would have tied the game at 24, potentially forcing overtime. Washington would have needed a successful two-point conversion to take the lead in regulation.

In 2025, Piñeiro converted 28 of 29 field-goal attempts, leading the NFL with a 96.6% success rate, and the 49ers rewarded him with a four-year, $17 million contract extension in March.

But his numbers have changed considerably since then. Through six games this season, he's converted six of nine field goals and 19 of 22 extra points, with his six missed kicks already exceeding the five he missed throughout the entire 2025 season.


To Piñeiro's defense, his three missed field goals have come from beyond 50 yards, including an attempt blocked against Denver. Kicks from that distance are difficult, and when the protection breaks down, the responsibility extends beyond the kicker.

His extra-point accuracy, however, has been a concern dating back to last season. Piñeiro missed four extra points in 2025 and has already missed three more this year, bringing his total to seven over the past two seasons.

Following the Washington game, Kyle Shanahan expressed his frustration with Piñeiro, making it clear that he expects his kicker to convert those opportunities.

Punt returns have also become a concern, particularly with Cowing's recent problems handling the football.

Against Washington, Cowing muffed a punt near his own goal line before recovering it, leaving San Francisco to begin its possession at the 4-yard line. It was his second muffed punt in consecutive games, raising concerns about his ball security and decisions about which punts to field.


The 49ers are averaging 3.4 yards per punt return this season, and while better return production would certainly help, securing possession has become the immediate priority.

Cowing has the speed to produce explosive returns, but knowing when to field a punt, call for a fair catch, or allow the ball to bounce is equally important. His recent mistakes have put San Francisco in difficult field-position situations and exposed the team to the possibility of a costly turnover.

For 49ers fans, punt-return mistakes also bring back memories of the 2011 NFC Championship Game against the New York Giants, when Kyle Williams committed two turnovers, including the overtime fumble that helped set up New York's winning field goal.

Waitman Has Been a Bright Spot


Corliss Waitman has provided a considerable improvement over Thomas Morstead, helping the 49ers control field position with his punting.

Against Seattle, Waitman placed five punts inside the Seahawks' 20-yard line, including three inside the 10. One of those punts pinned Seattle at its own 4-yard line, and San Francisco's defense scored a touchdown on the following play.


His performance earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors and demonstrated the improvement the 49ers have made in their punting game.

With Waitman consistently helping the defense by forcing opponents to start deeper in their own territory, San Francisco has addressed an area that struggled last season.

The Cost of Special Teams Mistakes


Special-teams mistakes have contributed to painful postseason losses for teams with championship expectations, including the Los Angeles Rams last season.

The Rams entered the playoffs with a talented offense and defense, but their problems on special teams followed them into the NFC Championship Game against Seattle. Xavier Smith muffed a punt that helped the Seahawks score a touchdown, and Los Angeles eventually lost 31-27.

In a game decided by four points, that turnover gave Seattle an opportunity the Rams could ill afford.


San Francisco experienced similar problems in Super Bowl LVIII against Kansas City.

With the 49ers leading 10-6 in the third quarter, a punt struck Darrell Luter Jr.'s leg and was recovered by the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes took advantage of the turnover, throwing a touchdown pass on the following play to give Kansas City the lead.

Later in the fourth quarter, Jake Moody had an extra point blocked after a San Francisco touchdown. The 49ers led 16-13 instead of 17-13, allowing Kansas City to tie the game with a field goal on its next possession.

The Chiefs eventually won 25-22 in overtime, with those special-teams mistakes contributing to the circumstances that allowed Kansas City to stay within reach.

Now, with San Francisco undefeated through six games, the team has another opportunity to pursue a championship. Waitman's improvement has strengthened the punting game, but Piñeiro's missed kicks and Cowing's problems returning punts remain unresolved.


The 49ers have already experienced how costly those mistakes can be in a Super Bowl, and the Rams provided another reminder during last season's playoffs.

San Francisco still has time to address those concerns before January, when a missed extra point or mishandled punt could carry consequences far greater than anything the team has experienced during its undefeated start.

Written By:

Carlos Torres


Carlos Torres is a longtime sports writer who formerly covered major professional and collegiate sports for Bleacher Report. For the past 15 years, he has co-hosted The Back 9 Report, covering golf through conversations with players and others across the sport. He is currently building and developing Spot On Racing and Sports News Deck, independent sports media platforms focused on delivering original coverage, analysis, and commentary. Carlos now brings his experience across sports writing, broadcasting, and digital media to 49ers Webzone.
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@CarlosTorresSD
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