For the second straight week, the 49ers let a game slip away

The defending NFC West champions couldn't hold their lead against the Browns.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
SAN FRANCISCO -- After the San Francisco 49ers' season-opening romp over the Chicago Bears, the heat is on
For the second straight week, the 49ers let a game slip through their fingers.
After blanking the Browns for three quarters, San Francisco's defense collapsed in the fourth quarter, allowing two long touchdown drives while the offense earned just one first down in the final period that was courtesy of a roughing the passer penalty by Browns linebacker Barry Gardner.
"It's just frustrating. We had opportunities but once again we weren't very good in the red zone," 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia said. "We allowed them to hang in the game [when] we had plenty of chances to put it away and just didn't.
"This game, I take full responsibility offensively as to why we didn't win today," said Garcia, who completed 21-for-35 passes for 198 yards. "Defensively, we played well enough to easily win the game. Offensively, we didn't do what we had to do."
After quarterback Kelly Holcomb connected with wide receiver Andre Davis for the Browns' first touchdown, Garcia threw an incomplete pass and running back Garrison Hearst was nailed for a 1-yard loss. Following a false start penalty against rookie tackle Kwame Harris, Garcia hit wide receiver Terrell Owens for a 9-yard pickup well short of a first down.
Three plays later, Niners linebacker Jamie Winborn picked off Holcomb. Following Gardner's penalty, Garcia threw two incomplete passes and running back Kevan Barlow was stopped for no gain.
Interception ends it
After the Browns went ahead, Garcia threw two incomplete passes, ran past the line of scrimmage and threw on third down, and was intercepted by cornerback Anthony Henry on the game's final play.
"It's a long season, but tough games like this you have to win," Garcia said. "I could have done things better, we all could have done things better. We didn't make plays when it counted."
The one Niner who excelled was new kicker Owen Pochman, who made all four of his field goal attempts.
"It's bittersweet," Pochman said. "I love that I had some opportunities to get my feet wet and prove myself to my teammates. But at the same time, I would love if one of my field goals could be replaced by a touchdown."
Fumble sets up FG
The first came after Dwaine Carpenter knocked the ball from Davis on a punt return and Arnaz Battle recovered for San Francisco at the Cleveland 37. Six plays later, Pochman kicked a 38-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead in the second quarter.
The advantage doubled as time expired in the first half as the Niners' two-minute offense set up a 44-yard field goal.
The Niners took the second-half kickoff and drove to the Cleveland 25 to set up a 46-yard field goal.
On their next possession, the Niners' drive stalled at the Cleveland 18 for a 36-yard field goal and 12-0 lead.
Erickson said the 49ers' inability to score twice from the 1 on their opening possession wasn't a factor.
Believes in decision
"I made that decision and I would do it again," Erickson said of going for the touchdown instead of a chip-shot field goal. "I don't know if that play had anything to do with our emotional state because we kept coming back and coming back and coming back."
Erickson acknowledged frustration by wide receiver Terrell Owens.
"I don't blame him," Erickson said. "We're not getting him the ball."
Garcia said "T.O. is a very emotional player. He's one of the best out there and if you don't give him those opportunities, I am certain it's is frustrating for him. We just have to find a way to get the ball into his hands."
Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich said last week's overtime loss to the Rams in St. Louis wasn't a factor.
"I think we have a veteran team," Ulbrich said. "A lot of guys know that it is a long season and you have to leave those losses behind you to move onto the next week."