By Morris Phillips

The 49ers haven’t won since opening night, they’ve given up the most points in the NFL, and every running back in the league is checking their remaining schedule to see if they’ll get a shot at the league’s worst run defense in 26 seasons.

The last time the 49ers lost six straight in 2008, Coach Mike Nolan didn’t survive the fifth, and was fired after the team fell to 2-6, after a 2-1 start.  Interim coach Mike Singletary and offensive coordinator Mike Martz were in charge that following week when the 49ers appeared poised to break the skid, only to fail on the game’s last play from the two-yard line where fullback Michael Robinson got the call and was stuffed, instead of Frank Gore, who would go on to become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.

Like these, those were low times.  But under Singletary, and 28-year old Shaun Hill, the 49ers rallied, winning five of seven to close that season.   In 2008, things got better, and hope was retained heading into 2009.

This time, without Hill and Singletary of all people, things could get worse.

During the 49ers’ loss Sunday to the visiting Buccaneers, the 49ers squandered a 14-0, first quarter lead only to trail at halftime, 17-14, and after three quarters, 27-14.  The Bucs struggled early, unable to run against the 49ers’ defensive front seven, who briefly rallied after being run over by LeSean McCoy and the Bills the previous week.

Tampa Bay didn’t abandon the run down two touchdowns, instead they redoubled their efforts and finished with 513 yards in total offense, including 249 yards on the ground.  The previous week in Buffalo, the 49ers gave up 312 yards on the ground, but this may have been a lesser showing with Jaquizz Rogers (154 yards) and Paul Barber (12 carries, 84 yards) benefitting from numerous, missed tackles.

“We just got to limit the mistakes we’ve been having.  We’ve been doing the same things too consistently, with the turnovers and stuff, the missed tackles, allowing big runs to happen on defense,” safety Eric Reid said.

The 49ers appeared to be in better shape with Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmy Ward returning to bolster the secondary.  But neither started on Sunday, then defensive lineman Arik Armstead, linebacker Aaron Lynch, and corner Rashad Robinson were lost to injury during the game.  Armstead’s injury looked to be the most painful, and most troubling since the 2015 first round pick has dealt with a nagging shoulder issue since training camp, and appeared to reinjure the shoulder against Tampa Bay.

Meanwhile, for Tampa, big, productive receiver Mike Evans was injured on a play early in the game in which he was blocked in the stomach and chest on Gerald Hodges interception that set up the 49ers second touchdown.  But Evans returned, finishing with eight receptions and two touchdowns, while Armstead, Lynch and Robinson did not.

Such is the 49ers’ fortunes these days, so poor they rival the teams porous play.  While the defense has been abnormally poor, it must be noted that injuries have been mounting on that side of the ball starting with lineman Ian Williams in training camp, and starting linebackers Ray Ray Armstrong and NaVorro Bowman after the season began.

Offensively, Colin Kaepernick had another uneven performance, completing less than half of his passes and being sacked four times.  While the veteran quarterback kept plays alive with his fast feet, those plays didn’t amount to much as Kaepernick threw for just 143 yards in a game that the 49ers were in catchup mode for the entire, second half.

In the absence of the injured Carlos Hyde, Kaepernick was the team’s leading rusher, with 84 yards on nine carries.  But Kap’s rushing total wasn’t the recipe to success.

“It comes down to execution, not shooting ourselves in the foot, and making plays,” Kaepernick said.  “On our two, touchdown drives, we had players making plays on the field.  And we have to be able to continually do that throughout the game because defenses are talented, things are going to be close, and we have to be able to make those plays, and ultimately that’s what’s going to be the difference in these games.”

With the 49ers mired in last place in the NFC West, reports surfaced that veteran tackle Joe Staley may be traded during the season.  The team’s remaining schedule looks tough with games at Chicago, and at home against the Jets looking like the only two in which the team could be favored, or have a chance to win.

A rally like the one in 2008 appears unlikely, and the appearance of a franchise quarterback may not happen anytime soon, even if the team draws a top-3 pick as their current record would suggest.

Coach Chip Kelly appears safe if for no reason other than he just got here.  But things must be improve, and the team’s attitude will be close monitored.

“I think anger doesn’t help you,” Kelly said.  “You have to find a solution.  If you continue to get mad, get angry, it’s not going to help you.”

The 49ers will enjoy a bye week before returning to the field at home against the New Orleans Saints and prolific passer Drew Brees on November 6.