Chargers vs 49ers: Previewing preseason Week 4 for San Francisco

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball to teammate Matt Breida #49 against the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Offensive & Defensive X-Factors for San Francisco

C.J. Beathard’s moment

This game will feature the most extensive run of action for Beathard this preseason, as the 49ers starters are likely to rest for the entire game. The first two games were fairly impressive for Beathard, but the Vikings game saw the rookie show some growing pains. With the game in his hands for a large portion of it, how does Beathard respond? It’ll be fascinating to see how he handles it.

Defensive line play

As mentioned previously, this is a game that really only matters when it comes to deciding who to keep for the final few roster spots. At defensive line, there are going to be some tough decisions to make. Considering the defensive line is maybe the 49ers most important position group, it heightens the meaning of process for who makes it and who doesn’t.

Solomon Thomas, Earl Mitchell, DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead, Tank Carradine, Elvis Dumervil, Aaron Lynch and D.J. Jones are all the locks to make the roster. The last spot is tough — Quinton Dial has been with the team for a number of years now and Sen’Derrick Marks was just signed last week. Alongside Ronald Blair and Chris Jones, who makes it out of those four? The game versus the Chargers might determine that.