Sunday, Sep 30, 2018 05:25 PM
10 Takeaways: Chargers 29, 49ers 27 in Week 4
Joe Fann
SENIOR REPORTER
Here's what you need to know from Sunday.
1. C.J. Beathard gave the 49ers everything on Sunday. He threw for 292 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Both picks arguably weren't his fault. The first certainly wasn't. San Francisco was in the red zone and a pass bounced off the hands of Garrett Celek hands and into the arms of Chargers defensive back Trevor Williams. The second came on San Francisco's final drive when Beathard got hit in the pocket. The ball popped loose and Chargers defensive lineman Isaac Rochell caught it before it hit the ground.
The touchdowns went to Kendrick Bourne and
George Kittle. Bourne caught his on a quick slant from 2-yards out.
Kittle found himself wide open downfield for what turned into an 82-yard touchdown catch. The tight end showcased his speed as he ran away from the Chargers secondary on his way into the end zone. Overall, the 49ers couldn't have asked for any more out of Beathard.
He was very impressive.
"He gave us a chance to win," Kyle Shanahan said postgame.
4. The secondary looked much improved, limiting Rivers to 250 yards through the air and Keenan Allen to just 63 receiving yards. That success was carried over to third down where the 49ers held the Chargers to just 4-of-14.
Greg Mabin subbed into the game for Jimmie Ward and played well in his first extended action of the season.
6.
Beathard showed off the toughness that earned him the respect of his teammates. The second-year quarterback took a few big hits. On one third-down scramble, Beathard lunged for the first-down marker before taking a shoulder to the sternum. Beathard got the wind knocked out of him but never missed a snap.
8.
Kittle finished the game with six receptions for a career high 125 yards, highlighted by the 82-yard score. The tight end is currently on pace for 1,264 yards in 2018.
He'll continue to be a go-to option for Beathard.