NFL
San Francisco 49ers Lose To The LA Chargers
The San Francisco 49ers took an early lead, courtesy of a pick-6 in the opening minute of the game. However, they were not able to hold off the LA Chargers, going down 29–27. The game had plenty of ups and downs from both sides, with the lead changing several times right up until the fourth quarter.
In a game that was much closer than expected to be, CJ Beathard held his own for the most part, along with the offense. The 49ers defense was another story, as they continued to struggle with the fundamental aspects of the game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan also made some questionable calls during the game. In particular, the decision to not run the clock down with the run game as halftime approached. Instead, relying on passing which resulted in incomplete passes and a turnover to the Chargers with less than a minute to go. This gave the Chargers the opportunity to tie the game up via a field goal going into halftime.
San Francisco 49ers
Offense
The Niners offense had a total of 288 passing yards and 76 rushing yards for a combined total of 364 yards. Quarterback CJ Beathard completed 23-37 for 298 yards, two TDs, and two interceptions. The Niners came firing out of the gates. However, the spark seemed to go out somewhat as the game progressed.
Beathard played quite well throughout the game. He looked to have improved from last season, however on occasion, still showed flashes of his former rookie self. His passing accuracy has increased, dropping some dimes to his receivers. But, he also threw several suspect balls which the Chargers defense batted away or nearly intercepted.
Beathard continued to show the toughness he was renowned for last season. He took several big hits throughout the game. The biggest coming in the fourth quarter from a shoulder he received to his torso. Beathard went down hard with his head impacting with the turf. Backup QB Nick Mullens started to warm up however thankfully was not required. Beathard was winded during the play but received no injuries.
Beathard led the San Francisco 49ers offense to a huge 21-play drive, spanning over ten minutes of game time for a total of 72 yards. This was to be the Niners’ longest overall drive of plays since the 1993 season. The Chargers defense held the 49ers in the red zone, however, forcing special teams out onto the field for a field goal.
TE George Kittle continued to be the go-to receiver for the 49ers, with a total of six receptions for 125 yards. WR Pierre Garcon also saw increased snaps this week with four receptions for 52 yards. The 49ers receivers improved this week, limiting dropped balls.
Touchdowns
During the Niners’ second drive of the game, Beathard threw to WR Kendrick Bourne TD at the end of a 56-yard drive.
The 49ers’ only other TD came from a throw to a wide open Kittle in the third quarter for an 82-yard TD.
Defense
The San Francisco 49ers defense started off brilliantly. They produced a 30-yard pick-6 return from S Antone Exum in the first minute of the game. LB Reuben Foster came out of the gates firing, applying the pressure to Chargers QB Philip Rivers and making tackles all over the place like he is known for.
From there, the 49ers defense went downhill badly. Rivers dominated them in just about every aspect of the game. The Niners run defense started off strong but was soon substituted with a huge volume of missed tackles. Chargers RB Melvin Gordon tore the defense apart, breaking tackles all game.
The Niners were also ineffective at pass coverage with the Chargers receivers making some big gains in yardage. Foster missed his assignment on TE Antonio Gates during man coverage, resulting in an easy TD for the Chargers.
With CB Richard Sherman inactive due to injury, defensive coach Robert Saleh started to play with the combination in the secondary during the 3rd quarter. CB Jimmie Ward was pulled and replaced by Greg Mabin. Ward returned later in the 3rd replacing Ahkello Witherspoon. Sherman’s presence was clearly missed.
DT Sheldon Day and DE Arik Armstead made the only 49ers sack of the day during the 3rd quarter.
Injuries
WR Dante Pettis suffered a knee injury early in the first quarter and did return. LT Joe Staley also sustained a knee injury in the second quarter and did not return. C Weston Richburg was sidelined for a short period of time with another knee injury. However, he did return later in the game.
RT Mike McGlinchey also went off after receiving an injury to his knee but returned in the third quarter. WR Marquise Goodwin sustained a hamstring injury. RB Matt Breida received a shoulder injury, and DE Solomon Thomas also injured his shoulder.
LA Chargers
Offense
The Chargers offense had a total of 242 passing yards and 126 rushing yards for a combined total of 368 yards. Philip Rivers completed 25-39 for 250 yards, 3 TDs, and one interception. Rivers was slow to start; however, it didn’t take him long to get that engine firing.
Rivers improved as the game continued, with the Chargers scoring during five straight possessions. He dominated the 49ers backfield, executing throws with well-placed balls to his receivers.
Kicker Caleb Sturgis had a shocker with the boot. He missed a 54-yard FG in the first quarter and two extra point attempts during the game.
The Chargers were able to tie the game 17-17 just prior to the end of the second quarter. Courtesy of a massive 56-yard punt return from CB Desmond King which put them into field goal range.
The top receiver for the day was WR Keenan Allen with seven receptions for 63 yards. While RB Melvin Gordon took the rushing honors with a total of 15 carries for 104 yards and one TD.
Touchdowns
Rivers threw a TD pass to a wide-open Antonio Gates in the first quarter. However, Sturgis missed the extra point.
RB Austin Ekeler received a 22-yard TD in the second quarter, with a two-point conversion.
The Chargers’ final TD came from RB Melvin Gordon in the third quarter, with Sturgis again missing the extra point.
Defense
The Chargers defense had a lot of time on the field during the first quarter and early in the second quarter, with Rivers taking a while to warm up and the San Francisco 49ers having some long drives.
To have a good chance at winning this game, the Chargers would have to close out the Niners’ run game. Which going into this week, was second in the league. They did just that, shutting down the 49ers’ run game and limiting RB Matt Breida to nine carries for only 39 yards.
The defense was also strong in limiting the 49ers to a field goal, after spending an exhausting ten minutes on the field while the Niners continued their longest drive of the game.
Rookie S Derwin James impressed and was the standout player on defense. He batted two passes away from Beathard and had one sack early in the third quarter, resulting in a 4th and 18 for the 49ers. James also put a big hit on Beathard, with DE Isaac Rochell receiving an interception after Beathard put it right into his hands.
Penalties did cost the defense, however, with several big decisions including roughing the passer going against them. This resulted in the Niners receiving huge yardage down the field. They were lucky not have conceded any points as a result of these penalties.
CB Trevor Williams made the teams biggest play on defense with an 86-yard return after a deflection from 49ers TE Garret Celek hands.
Injuries
The Chargers got off light with injuries. WR Travis Benjamin re-injured his foot while LT Russell Okung also received a groin injury.
At the completion of Week 4, the LA Chargers go to 2-2 while the San Francisco 49ers remain at 1-3.
Photo Credit
Featured Image courtesy of KC_PHOTO1
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