Conclusions: Niners not as good as thought, Euro Ryder Cuppers better

Two conclusions from watching a weekend of TV sports: the San Francisco 49ers are not as good as some had hoped, and the European Ryder Cup team is better than many of us imagined.

We’re always seeking reasons for success and/or failure. Some are undeniable—it’s difficult to win when you turn the ball over four times, as did the Niners. Some are unbelievable.

That the Niners were beaten 26-21 by the previous inept Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium was not surprising under the circumstances. You can’t keep giving away the ball as San Francisco did with two interceptions and two fumbles.

This was confirmed by head coach Kyle Shanahan.

“Four turnovers, and giving up the punt return for a touchdown,” said Shanahan. “We had a chance at the end, but had another turnover.”

There are no turnovers in golf. Although, according to the thinking of some people, the American Ryder Cup captain, Keegan Bradley, should be turned away. 

I’m not one of them.

Yes, the Ryder Cup was in America at Bethpage, on Long Island. And yes, the US team included the man ranked No. 1 in the world, Scottie Scheffler. But there’s no sport as unpredictable as golf. Especially in match play, which of course is the basis of the Ryder Cup.

Some contend that the course, as set up by Bradley, restricted the US golfers.  But these are the best players on the planet, and they should be able to handle any course in any condition. Yet, inevitably, the Ryder Cup comes down to who makes the putts. In this tournament, as is often the case, it was the Euros. 

America will have to wait two years to respond to its 15-13 defeat, since the next Ryder Cup is not until 2027 in Ireland. The 49ers' wait for retribution is considerably shorter—a few days. They play the Rams Thursday night in Los Angeles.

“The offense has to be better,” said Brock Purdy. “And it starts with me.” 

Purdy was back as the starting quarterback, having missed the previous two games because of a turf toe injury, but he wasn’t back to his productive ways. Some of that can be attributed to an ineffective running game—the Niners rushed for only 83 yards, compared to 151 yards for Jacksonville—along with those turnovers.

“We gave the ball away,” said Purdy.  

Maybe that was because Purdy was out of rhythm after his absence.

Still absent was tight end George Kittle, who not only is a great receiver but a great blocker whose importance in the running game cannot be underestimated.

As in the Ryder Cup, the ability to make the key putts can’t be underestimated. Just check the results.