Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Close isn’t enough for 49ers entering Week 5

By Peter Panacy

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: D.J. Reed #32 of the San Francisco 49ers fumbles the ball during a kick return as he is tackled by Michael Davis #43 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: D.J. Reed #32 of the San Francisco 49ers fumbles the ball during a kick return as he is tackled by Michael Davis #43 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Kyle Shanahan talks with quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Kyle Shanahan talks with quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Previous: . San Francisco 49ers. 28. team. 42. . L, 29-27 @ Chargers

The 49ers had their chances on the road against the Chargers, especially after taking a quick 7-0 lead in Los Angles, thanks to defensive back Antone Exum‘s pick-six touchdown on the Chargers’ opening possession. That’s got to be one of the more frustrating aspects of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s season. There have been so many missed opportunities and self-inflicted mistakes from the Niners all year.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Injuries too. Left tackle Joe Staley went down with a leg injury and didn’t return, which doesn’t bode well for a completely revamped offensive line.

That O-line wasn’t able to get running back Matt Breida going for most of the contest, which meant C.J. Beathard had to rely largely on his arm to make plays. It worked, somewhat, although his efforts were largely negated by the lack of tackling abilities on the 49ers’ other side of the ball.

That’s been a massive problem for San Francisco all season, and it continued in Week 4.

Shanahan also went with some questionable play calling to close out the first half, electing to pass three times, consecutively, with 47 seconds left before the half and up 17-14. The 49ers were forced to punt, the Chargers managed a 56-yard return and eventually tacked on a field goal to tie the game.

Considering the two-point loss, this turned out to be a mistake — one of many from the injury-plagued Niners over the first quarter of 2018.