Shanahan explains the 49ers' fourth-down play call in the loss to the Vikings

The 49ers wasted multiple chances in a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium on Sunday.

San Francisco was 1-for-3 on fourth down of the game, and two failed conversion attempts proved costly.

The 49ers' first turnover on downs occurred when quarterback Brock Purdy threw an incomplete pass to wide receiver Jauan Jennings on fourth-and-goal from the 2 with 10:31 left in the second quarter. The ensuing Vikings drive resulted in a 97-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Darnold to wide receiver Justin Jefferson to extend Minnesota's lead to 10–0.

San Francisco's second turnover on Downs came on its next drive, when Purdy scrambled on fourth-and-2 but was tackled short at the first-down marker, giving Minnesota the ball at its 42 with 6:36 left in the first half.

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan explained his perspective on the fourth-down decision when speaking to reporters after the game.

“I didn't object to the decision under the circumstances. Where we were on the field,” Shanahan said. “When you're just out of field-goal range, down and away, and I didn't mind going in on it. [2]Knowing we will pin them They made a hell of a play to get out there but didn't like the result, obviously.”

The 49ers played poorly on both sides of the ball and perhaps Purdy's two turnovers were the costliest mistakes. However, when a team loses by one score, as San Francisco did, two failed fourth-down attempts loom large.

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