Turnovers and shaky run defense send 49ers to four-game losing streak

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson had his way with the San Francisco 49ers defense with 135 yards rushing and two touchdowns. On 25 carries, the 49ers struggled to keep pace with the speed of Johnson in the Titans 34-27 win in San Francisco.

“He got some angles on us today and was able to use his speed to his ability,” said LB Patrick Willis. “If you start taking (wrong) angles and you’ll be running up the field.”

Johnson broke to the outside for an 81-yard touchdown run that was called back after the 49ers challenged that he stepped out of bounds. That didn’t stop Johnson from continuing that drive, pushing in for a score on a 2-yard run on fourth down. The Titans ran an option on that play, pitched to Johnson who ran it in to give the Titans a 24-20 lead halfway through the fourth quarter.

The 49ers didn’t help themselves out during the game, turning the ball over four times. The most critical turnover came late in the fourth quarter. Trailing 27-20 late in the fourth quarter, QB Alex Smith threw a pass toward WR Josh Morgan that was tipped in the air. Titans CB Cortland Finnegan intercepted the ball and returned it for a 39-yard touchdown.

“Turnovers are tough to overcome,” Smith said. “ They had a lot of different looks on defense.”

“It’s already hard enough to win without turnovers at the end of the game, the turnovers just make it harder on yourself,” said WR Josh Morgan. “It’s not anybody’s fault. The defense gets paid too, they make plays and they just had a good day.”

The 49ers ended the first half on a positive note. Tied 10-10 late in the second quarter, Smith led the 49ers down the field on a 9 play, 82-yard drive that was capped by a 12-yard touchdown catch to Jason Hill. That would be Hill’s first catch of the season. He finished with four catches for 50 yards and another touchdown late in the game.

The 49ers offense, using a lot of two tight end sets found some consistency on offense, allowing RB Frank Gore to gain 83 yards on 15 carries. But that wasn’t enough to counter the Titans’ Chris Johnson.

Johnson kept the 49ers off-balance. Entering the game, the 49ers had the second best rush defense in the league and had not given up a 100-yard game to any opponent. The speed of Johnson made it difficult for the 49ers, especially with short fields after turnovers.

The battle between Alex Smith and Vince Young didn’t live up to the bill. With Smith’s four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble), Young played a manageable game, going 12-19 for 172 yards. Young also had a rushing touchdown. With a running game that was so successful, not a lot was required from Young.

Smith was asked to pass the ball 45 times during the game and two of his interceptions came on tipped balls. Singletary felt Smith played well, but obviously the offense needs to retool in order prevent turnovers.

The 49ers have lost four straight games and sit two games behind the Arizona Cardinals for the division lead. At the halfway point, the team continues to look for a solution to the losing streak.

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves,” said Smith. “ We can’t well on it.”

“It’s definitely frustrating to be at this point,” said head coach Mike Singletary at the post-game press conference. “We do have eight games left. In my mind, as long as we continue to fight, as long as we continue to play the way we played today, we got a chance, if we take away the stupid stuff where we’re killing ourselves.”

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The 49ers will have to forget this loss and move on as they host the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night. Rookie WR Michael Crabtree said he is ready to prepare in such short time.

“All I do is whatever coach says and that’s all I can do,” he said. When asked about his first game in front of the home crowd, Crabtree said it was a great feeling. “I love the fans, they gave me a lot of support. Candlestick, so much history. I’m just glad to be out there.”

Confidence in the locker room was high despite the team’s loss. Several players I talked with said they still believe the team can achieve the goals they have set.

“I believe in my team and my coaching staff for what we have for this game this Thursday against the Chicago Bears,” said NT Isaac Sopoaga. “Each individual player must take care of the area and be ready.”

With eight games remaining on the schedule, head coach Mike Singletary said he doesn’t care about what the Cardinals are doing. LB Patrick Willis echoed that remark, saying that there is still plenty the 49ers can do to get back on track.

“We have to find a way to get it done, find a way to finish,” Willis said after the game. “We still have a lot of football left.”