What 49ers' Javon Hargrave is telling teammates amid skid

Veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave has experienced numerous ups and downs throughout an NFL career that began during the 2016 draft and is using his experiences to calm San Francisco 49ers teammates following back-to-back losses. 

"It's just week-to-week," Hargrave said about the league during a recent appearance on "The NFL on Fox Podcast," as shared by Fox Sports. "A couple of weeks ago, we were [seen as] God's gift to earth. Then the last two weeks, you've got to hear all this negative talk and how bad things are going with us. So I've just learned to have a short memory with all of that, not really getting too high with my highs or too low with my lows. It's just a mindset of getting better every day."

The 49ers were 5-0 when they began their Week 6 road game at a Cleveland Browns side that was without starting quarterback Deshaun Watson due to an injury in his throwing shoulder. San Francisco had an opportunity to squeak out a late win in Northeast Ohio, but rookie kicker Jake Moody missed a 41-yard field goal with six seconds remaining in regulation. 

The Niners then lost 22-17 at the Minnesota Vikings this past Monday night and had a literal injury added to the insult of that defeat when quarterback Brock Purdy entered the concussion protocol following the game. While Hargrave spoke on the podcast before the Purdy news went public, the 30-year-old (who played in Super Bowl LVII as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles this past February) made it known he's no stranger to such setbacks. 

"I've been on two-game or three-game losing streaks before and came out on top," Hargrave explained. "It's just the experience. I tell myself all the time, even when I go through tough times, I always come out on top."

Head coach Kyle Shanahan is confident backup signal-caller Sam Darnold can guide the 5-2 49ers to a home win over the 3-3 Cincinnati Bengals this coming Sunday. As of Thursday afternoon, OddsChecker listed San Francisco as a three-point favorite against Cincinnati. 

"When I was in situations when I doubted myself, somehow, I always found a way to win," Hargrave added. "You're gonna go through bumps in the road like this, but you've really got to stay consistent. … Once we go on a winning streak, everyone's gonna forget about those two games."

The 49ers enter their bye after the Bengals game and will want to avoid spending that break on a three-game losing streak. Regardless of who starts at quarterback, the hosts may need Hargrave and the rest of the defense to carry them to a needed victory at Levi's Stadium on Sunday afternoon.