Think there are a number of factors.
Confidence, (I think) that may be the first time we have been able to play near our strongest team this season?
Slow ball, our own doing or by opposition, means easy for defence to reset and get good line speed particularly in midfield.
Not getting much front foot ball, Mata, Watson, Gilchrist, Scott, Taylor last season all got us beyond the gain line and generated the opportunity to go wide to VDM and Graham, not been happening this with season very few line breaks. We were very structured last season but would play off turnover or front foot ball which we are not getting this season so far.
As has been said ref was very quick to blow up, a bit of advantage played on a number of those, for either team, may have loosened things up.
Game plan too predictable, unless there is a break, turnover, error we are so conservative and easy to defend against.
Agree on the first phase moves eg a scrum 5 out get VDM/Graham coming in at pace rather than just trying to milk the YC even just once in a while to keep the oppo guessing.