49ers vs. Chargers: What to expect of C.J. Beathard in Week 4

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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the warm up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

With C.J. Beathard now the cemented starter at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, Niner Noise breaks down what to expect in his first start of 2018 in Week 4 versus the Los Angeles Chargers.

OK, so the mourning period is over for the San Francisco 49ers. Jimmy Garoppolo is no longer the Niners’ starting quarterback for 2018 after suffering his season-ending ACL tear, meaning this is now second-year pro C.J. Beathard‘s show from here onward.

“Onward” being the key word.

The 49ers visit the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4, who boast the same 1-2 record as the Niners but also possess a dangerous passing attack with veteran quarterback Philip Rivers under center.

To counter, head coach Kyle Shanahan needs to ensure Beathard and the offense responds effectively enough to negate the scoring prowess Rivers and Co. can produce. If this was in the context of last year, San Francisco wouldn’t have much of a chance at all.

Beathard was certainly a part of the Niners’ early struggles in 2017. Both his 54.9 completion percentage and 69.2 passer rating his rookie season ranked 31st among 32 qualifiers last year.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of confidence for the former Iowa Hawkeye.

The good news, however, is Beathard possesses that full year’s worth of development. And one might make the argument the Niners offense is significantly improved over what the quarterback had to deal with when he was essentially thrown into the fire last season.

Will that be enough to help San Francisco reach for its second win of 2018?

It’s hard to say. But with that as a backdrop, what should we expect from Beathard in Week 4 as he and the 49ers look to upset the Chargers?