Alex Smith Commits Third Turnover To Squelch Comeback; 49ers Fall To 0-5 After 27-24 Loss To The Eagles

As has been their M.O. all season, the 49ers have killed themselves time and again with turnovers committed just as it seemed like the team would be able to capture the momentum or even the game itself. Sunday night against the Eagles has been no different. Through the midpoint of the fourth quarter, the 49ers have committed four turnovers, two from Frank Gore fumbles, one from an Alex Smith interception and another on an Alex Smith fumble.

Isaac Sopoaga couldn’t get a tongue, much less an arm on Eagles back LeSean McCoy, who broke free on a 29-yard run up the middle to push the Philadelphia advantage to 17-7 late in the second quarter. If you think that a cheap excuse to use the above photo in an update of the game, you are surpassing in your perception abilities.

The 49ers have looked much as they have all of the 2010 season, an otherwise capable team able to move the ball down the field but constantly on the verge of self-destruction. Frank Gore coughed the ball up. Alex Smith threw a deep interception into double coverage with little assistance by receiver Ted Ginn, Jr., who made no effort to come back and fight for the ball.

New 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Johnson made it his mission statement to get the ball into the hands of the struggling offense’s playmakers once he took over for the fired Jimmy Raye.

At least as it pertains to receiver Michael Crabtree, it has proven effective. After three weeks of next to no production out of Crabtree under Raye - with only three catches for 44 yards in the team’s first two games - the 49ers top young receiver has picked it up each of the two weeks since Raye departed.