How Kyle Shanahan Views the 49ers' Loss to the Ravens

No one expected the 49ers to play so poorly against the Ravens on Christmas. No one expected the 49ers to get blown out.

They were six-point favorites coming into the game. And at one point in the fourth quarter, they were trailing by 21 points. Alarming.

On Tuesday morning, I asked Kyle Shanahan on a conference call what he found most alarming about the way the 49ers lost. Here's what he said:

ME: After sleeping on it and watching the film, what was most concerning or alarming to you about the way you lost?

SHANAHAN: "I don't think anything was that dramatic, the way that was asked. I think when you turn the ball over five times, that's usually what happens. Can't have five turnovers and get none, and can't have over 100 yards in penalties."

ME: Was this loss a reality check for your team or was it just one of those things?

SHANAHAN: "It was just a loss. You play a good team and you have five turnovers and you have all those penalties, it makes it tough to win. I like how our guys fought at the end. I wish we could have scored on that last drive instead of getting that sack there. I thought it would have been great to attempt an onside kick with three timeouts and have a chance to go in and try to tie it up, but when you play a little sloppy with those turnovers and penalties and you're going against a good team, that makes it tough to win."

Shanahan answered the way a coach should answer. If he were alarmed by anything in the loss, he wouldn't say so publicly. But how can you not be alarmed when your team commits five turnovers in one game? How can you not be alarmed when your team can't adjust?

In the locker room after the game, 49ers players such as Kyle Juszczyk, Dre Greenlaw and Deommodore Lenoir spoke as though the 49ers weren't quite ready for the game and that this loss got their attention.

If that's true, if the 49ers weren't up for the biggest game of the season, then that's quite alarming.