The San Francisco 49ers missed an opportunity to claim an upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. Here we look at three standouts from the loss.
The San Francisco 49ers missed a big opportunity in Week 4 as they were narrowly defeated, 29-27, by the Los Angeles Chargers.
San Francisco led 14-0 in the first quarter and was unable to put the Chargers away, despite responding to a run of 20 unanswered points by taking the lead again in the fourth quarter.
Yet, the disappointing defeat could not be blamed on these three standouts. Here, we assess their performances.
C.J. Beathard
Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury provided the 49ers with the chance to have an extensive look at what they have in C.J. Beathard, and Sunday’s performance was a positive sign from a player who did not deserve to lose.
Beathard looked at ease throughout even playing behind a banged-up offensive line that lost its best player in Joe Staley. He was poised in the pocket, made the easy throws, made some impressive throws with pressure in his face and had a couple of accurate tight-window efforts clank off the hands of his receivers.
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The 2017 third-rounder appeared every bit a quarterback comfortable in a complex offensive system after a difficult rookie year. The toughness that defined his first season in the NFL was also on show as Beathard survived some severe punishment and was also able to escape pressure and make plays with his legs.
His stat line, 23-of-37 for 298 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions, was padded by an 82-yard catch and run from George Kittle, but it was no more than he deserved. Beathard’s numbers would have been even more impressive had Garrett Celek not let a sure touchdown bounce off his hands and into the arms of Chargers cornerback Trevor Williams in a crucial red zone turnover.
C.J. Beathard Finds George Kittle for a 82-yard TD 🙌#GoNiners pic.twitter.com/7VtmZj8blm
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 30, 2018
Beathard was perhaps at fault for the clinching interception as Derwin James came free on the blitz, however, for the most part he was let down by teammates who failed to execute on a day when he did so effectively.