49ers vs. Eagles: Full Week 8 preview for San Francisco

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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 22: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a four-yard touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Quarterback comparison

In his first start as the 49ers’ No. 1 quarterback, C.J. Beathard had a bumpy outing.

As previously mentioned, it has been spotty in terms of performance. With about a game and a half under his belt, Beathard is 41-for-74 passing (55.4 percent) for 480 yards with one touchdown and one interception. On the ground, he has six rushes for 44 yards and one touchdown.

Beathard also has two fumbles, and has been sacked seven times. One thing he needs to work on is the delivery of the ball — the rookie is holding onto it for too long in the pocket. Granted, the offensive play has been less than stellar. Still, Beathard has work to do.

There’s no way around it, quarterback Carson Wentz is playing like a top signal-caller.

Early on, it looks like the trade up and selection of quarterback Carson Wentz at No. 2 in the 2016 NFL Draft is paying dividends for the Eagles. Through seven games, Wentz has placed himself in the conversation for MVP.

Carson Wentz MVP resume

NFL ranks
1️⃣17 TDs
1️⃣133 QB rating 3rd dn
1️⃣10 yds/pass 3rd dn
1️⃣8 TDs 3rd dn
1️⃣12 TDs redzone#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/ghmFLRXYBF
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 26, 2017

Carson Wentz is the only QB over the last 15 seasons with 3 straight games of 3+ TD passing TD and 6+ rushes. True dual threat utility.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 27, 2017

The hype is real for the second-year player out of North Dakota State, who leads the league in touchdown passes.

Wentz’s progression in his ability to make reads and beat blitzes has been of the most glaring aspects of his improved game. With a very good offense surrounding him, the sky seems to be the limit for Wentz.