San Francisco 49ers: 3 Big takeaways from loss vs. Giants in Week 10

The San Francisco 49ers let another fourth-quarter lead slip in a 27-23 defeat to the New York Giants. Here we assess the takeaways from the loss.

The San Francisco 49ers were unable to secure back-to-back wins as they let a fourth-quarter lead slip in a 27-23 loss to the New York Giants.

It was an all too familiar feeling for the 49ers, who have failed to capitalise on winning positions at numerous junctures this season, their inability to finish surely a source of great frustration for head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Defeat means the 49ers head into the bye week 2-8, but what did their performance tell us about this team as they enjoy a week’s rest? Here we look at three big-picture takeaways from San Francisco’s latest heartbreaker.

Defense lacking finishers

In Week 2, the 49ers defense was able to close out a nervy and fortuitous win over the Detroit Lions. Since then, any opportunity Robert Saleh’s unit has had to finish a game for the Niners has not been taken.

It crumbled in the closing minutes of a thrilling Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers and again as the Arizona Cardinals produced a late comeback to win 18-15 in Week 8. Another chance was presented to this defense again on Monday as the Niners took a 23-20 lead with 2:46 left on the clock after a long drive from Nick Mullens and the offense.

Aided by a critical holding call against Malcolm Smith on 3rd down and 12 and a contentious pass interference penalty on Ahkello Witherspoon, the Giants were able to move the ball down the field and score what proved the game-winning touchdown as Eli Manning found Sterling Shepard on a three-yard toss.

When it mattered, the 49ers defense was again unable to produce the pass rush to put the Giants behind the sticks or deliver a turnover that would have sealed the game in San Francisco’s favor.

There is an argument that some blame lies with Shanahan for settling for a field goal on the preceding drive rather than going for it fourth-and-3. However, it is clear this defense has little in the way of legitimate pieces beyond DeForest Buckner, Richard Sherman, outstanding rookie Fred Warner and Reuben Foster — when the latter is healthy — and is starved of playmakers who can make game-changing and game-sealing plays. That must change in 2019.