Week 4 SF vs. LAC Game Day Thoughts
With 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo out for the season, the public perception has quickly shifted with the Los Angeles Chargers as heavy favorites
SF 49ers (1–2) vs. LAC Chargers (1–2), LAC -11 46.5
With 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo out for the season, the public perception has quickly shifted with the Los Angeles Chargers as heavy favorites. Garoppolo was driving down the field last week against the Kansas City Chiefs when he inadvertently planted his left knee and braced for a hit on the sidelines as he tried to extend the play; it was later announced that he would be out the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. The loss of the 49ers’ franchise quarterback completely compromises the team’s season outlook.
C.J. Beathard
The former third-round pick from last year, quarterback C.J. Beathard takes over as the presumed starter with a 1–4 career record on 54.6% passing completion, four touchdowns, and six interceptions. Beathard is certainly nowhere near the level of Garoppolo but with another offseason under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, I’m curious to see what improvements he’s made since his last start.
Beathard doesn’t have the strongest arm and tends to stall a bit in his decision making. Having said that, this is a much better 49ers team versus the talent he was surrounded with last year. The 49ers currently boast the sixth best offensive line per Pro Football Focus and have a running game to stabilize the offense. The 49ers are ranked second in rushing yards per game(152.7) and yards per carry (5.6).
With a strong running game now in place, perhaps there should be more optimism in the second go-around for Beathard.
Chargers’ Backfield
Not sure what’s going on with the 49ers’ defense but it hasn’t been pretty to start the season. Through three games, the 49ers have missed 43 tackles — the most in the NFL. The Chargers’ backfield tandem of Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler should be another tough task on Sunday. Most football fans know about Gordon but it’s his backup that has been pleasantly productive.
The Chargers have been especially creative this year implementing their running backs in the pass game. Between 49ers linebackers Reuben Foster and Fred Warner, their coverage skills will be put to test.
Interior Pass Rush
While the 49ers are ranked 18th in sacks (7.0) for the season with little wiggle from their edge rushers, there should be some opportunity to collapse the pocket against Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers.
Rivers isn’t particularly mobile and the their interior offensive linemen have struggled. At the right guard spot, Dan Feeney has been absolutely horrid this year which leads me to believe that 49ers’ Solomon Thomas and DeForest Buckner should be able bring the pressure. Buckner is off to a fast start with 3.5 sacks despite last week’s quiet game.
Overall Thoughts
With the loss of Garoppolo and heading into a road game, the public is heavily down on the 49ers because Beathard and this offense remains a relative unknown.
On the contrary, I’m leaning towards takings the points based on a couple factors. The Chargers’ fan base remains a work in progress since their move to Los Angeles and despite being on the road, there should be an abundance of 49ers faithful in attendance. I have no doubt the Chargers are vastly more talented than the 49ers but at this point of the season — and for the last couple seasons actually — the Chargers have a hard time closing out teams. I’m predicting the Chargers to come out victorious but I anticipate the 49ers will rally around Beathard and make it interesting.
Prediction: 49ers 16 Chargers 24
