49ers fall to Chargers in Niner Noise's Week 4 game predictions

Niner Noise takes a look around the league in Week 4 and predicts a loss for the San Francisco 49ers on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers, as well as what happens in the remaining slate of games.

For better or worse, the 2018 season for the San Francisco 49ers took on a whole new meaning when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered his season-ending ACL tear on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3.

This means second-year quarterback C.J. Beathard is responsible for being at the helm of the offense — a position at which he largely struggled in 2017 until Garoppolo took over late and led the Niners to their five-game win streak to close out the season.

It would be one thing if Garoppolo’s injury was the lone significant setback the 49ers suffered this season. But it’s not. Running back Jerick McKinnon (ACL) is out for the year, although No. 2 running back Matt Breida‘s emergence has helped alleviate that. No. 1 cornerback Richard Sherman (calf) and safety Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder) are expected to be out for the team’s Week 4 road bout with the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

The Chargers, 1-2, have had to face off against top-flying offenses in the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams so far this season, and the 1-2 Niners figure to be something of an easier opponent.

With the problems the 49ers defense has had this season, it won’t be a shock to see Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers take full advantages of the various mismatches within the Niners secondary during the game.

And it isn’t as if the 49ers pass rush is doing what it needs to do to alleviate those woes.

49ers 16, Chargers 27

San Francisco needs to find a new normal this season, which will likely include low-scoring games from the offense. A suspect Niners defense presents a juicy opportunity for Rivers and Co.

Jets 10, Jaguars 21

Aside from his performance in Week 1, Jets rookie QB Sam Darnold hasn’t looked overly sharp the last two weeks. The Jaguars defense picks up where it left off last week.

FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 26: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots carries the ball after a catch during the first quarter of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Dolphins 24, Patriots 28

The Dolphins may be 3-0 and the Pats 1-2, but the last time Miami won in New England was back in 2008.

Texans 13, Colts 21

The Texans are an absolute hot mess right now, and head coach Bill O’Brien’s job is already on the line. He can’t blame the injury bug at all, which has saved him in years past.

Eagles 27, Titans 17

Tennessee’s offense has yet to figure out how to click this season. With a banged up quarterback, Marcus Mariota, still trying to jell with his new offensive system, life shouldn’t get much easier with an Eagles squad coming back to full strength.

Bills 13, Packers 28

Don’t expect Buffalo’s magical win over the Minnesota Vikings last week fool you.

Lions 24, Cowboys 17

It took a few games, but Lions head coach Matt Patricia seems to have found his team a groove with which they can use against a struggling Dallas offense. The Cowboys’ issues compound in Week 4 at home.

TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 24: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs out of the locker room during the end of halftime in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 24, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Buccaneers 27, Bears 21

Tampa Bay has one job — stop Bears EDGE Khalil Mack. As long as Bucs quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick continues his “Fitzmagic,” Tampa Bay has an excellent chance to go 3-1 to start the year. Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky needs to start looking like the No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick soon.

Bengals 24, Falcons 31

Outside of Week 1, the Falcons have been scoring points in droves. Would you trust Bengals QB Andy Dalton to keep up with Atlanta’s Matt Ryan? Didn’t think so.

Seahawks 23, Cardinals 10

It’s the Josh Rosen show in Arizona now. But that doesn’t change the fact the Cardinals can’t score points this season. It’s taxing their defense, which doesn’t bode well against the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson.

Browns 27, Raiders 18

If quarterback Baker Mayfield picks up where he left of against the Jets last week, Oakland’s suspect defense is in trouble. And the Browns have the benefit of a mini bye week, having played Week 3 on Thursday Night Football. That Cleveland defense is proving to be pretty good too.

Saints 38, Giants 24

The Saints defense hasn’t been able to stop anybody this season, which is weird after what happened last year. But Giants quarterback Eli Manning has looked more like his age than a reinvigorated signal-caller with added weapons around him. New Orleans QB should have yet another big game with wide receiver Michael Thomas.

Ravens 21, Steelers 28

Pittsburgh’s defense hasn’t looked good all year. But their offense finally started to click last week in prime time against the Buccaneers. That momentum carries over in this AFC North showdown.

Chiefs 33, Broncos 24

The Broncos are about to find out what the 49ers, Steelers and Chargers already know — Kansas City’s offense can only be stopped by natural disasters, anomalies and alien abductions. None of those options are likely on Monday Night Football.

Next. NFL power rankings: 49ers nosedive entering Week 4. dark

It’s crazy to think we’re already close to the quarter mark of 2018, which is a good indicator how teams will wind up faring over the course of the season.

49ers fall to Chargers in Niner Noise’s Week 4 game predictions

By Peter Panacy | Sep 28, 2018