There is a lot of blame to go around for the 49ers 21-19 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
The defense came up with three takeaways, sure. But it also allowed Cardinals backup quarterback John Skelton to roll up 282 yards passing and three touchdowns. Safety Donte Whitner said the secondary lost the game.
RELATED: Box Score -- Arizona 21, 49ers 19
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It was nice of him step up and show accountability. But this one was all about the 49ers offense.The 49ers converted just 3 of 17 third-down opportunities. Thats 18 percent, and thats not good. They got inside the Cardinals 20-yard line on three occasions and came away with three points every time.The 49ers had seven plays inside the Arizona 10-yard line in the second quarter. The results of those plays were:
--First and goal from 4: Quarterback Alex Smith incomplete to Braylon Edwards.
--Second and goal from 5: Running back Frank Gore run off right tackle for minus-1 yard.
--Third and goal from 5: Smith incomplete to Gore.
--Second and 3 from 6: Smith incomplete to Kyle Williams.
--Third and 3 from 6: Smith run around left end for minus-3 yards.
--First-and-goal from 4: Smith incomplete to Ted Ginn.
--Second-and-goal from 4: Smith incomplete to Ginn.In order for the 49ers to fix the problem, they have to figure out where things are going wrong.RELATED: 49ers vs. Cardinals -- play-by-play game log
Coach Jim Harbaugh is not going to divulge which area he believes deserves the blame today at his Monday press conference. So this is your opportunity to sound off.Which area is most at fault?--Coaching: Are offensive coordinator Greg Roman and Harbaugh best using the tools the 49ers have in the passing game. Neither Michael Crabtree nor Vernon Davis was the intended the target of any passes inside the 10-yard line. Edwards has battled injuries, but hes been a non-factor. Also, Frank Gore attempted just one run within the shadow of the goal line.--Smith. Hes the trigger man of the offense, so do you believe there were throws on which he didnt connect or throws he shouldve made?--Offensive line. Was the protection there for Smith? Were the holes there for Gore and the run game? Has the offensive line regressed, beginning with that game on Thanksgiving against the Ravens?--Receivers. Were Crabtree and Davis getting open or were they simply not winning their battles to get open off the line of scrimmage? And where was Edwards?