49ers vs. Packers: Niners face injured Rodgers on Monday Night Football
By Chris Wilson
49ers QB C.J. Beathard
When the NFL schedule-makers mapped out the 2018 season, they expected tonight’s game between the Packers and 49ers to be a meaningful NFC matchup worthy of the spotlight of Monday Night Football. Fans would gladly flock to see a showdown between two of the NFL’s most storied franchises — one led by a former MVP quarterback who still ranks among the league’s elite, and the other by an up-and-coming star QB.
Instead, football fans will have the pleasure of watching a hobbled Aaron Rodgers face backup quarterback C.J. Beathard. Given Monday Night Football’s recent problematic ratings, the NFL would gladly accept a scheduling do-over.
After playing like the rookie he was last season, Beathard impressed in his first start of 2018, although he was unable to lead the Niners to victory in Week 4. The following week, Beathard essentially lost the game for San Francisco, as his four turnovers gave the inferior Arizona Cardinals a two-score win in what should have been a blowout victory for the Niners, given their dominance in all other statistical aspects of the game.
Over his two-year career, Beathard has compiled one fantastic start, one mediocre start, and five bad starts, which directly correlate with his 1-6 career record. Beathard has shown improvement in his second NFL season, but if the second-day draft pick expects to finish the season as the 49ers’ starting quarterback — which would ensure him the team’s backup job in 2019 — he needs to play better in 2018, beginning tonight.
| Year | Tm | G | GS | QBrec | Cmp | Att | Cmp% | Yds | TD | TD% | Int | Int% | Lng | Y/A | AY/A | Y/C | Y/G | Rate | QBR | Sk | Yds | NY/A | ANY/A | Sk% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | SFO | 7 | 5 | 1-4 | 123 | 224 | 54.9 | 1430 | 4 | 1.8 | 6 | 2.7 | 83 | 6.4 | 5.5 | 11.6 | 204.3 | 69.2 | 32.6 | 19 | 141 | 5.30 | 4.52 | 7.8 |
| 2018 | SFO | 3 | 2 | 0-2 | 57 | 91 | 62.6 | 647 | 4 | 4.4 | 4 | 4.4 | 82 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 11.4 | 215.7 | 80.2 | 36.4 | 5 | 59 | 6.13 | 5.08 | 5.2 |
| Career | 10 | 7 | 1-6 | 180 | 315 | 57.1 | 2077 | 8 | 2.5 | 10 | 3.2 | 83 | 6.6 | 5.7 | 11.5 | 207.7 | 72.4 | 24 | 200 | 5.54 | 4.68 | 7.1 |
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
As opposed to last week, Beathard will face a superior opponent in Week 6, but not one without its problems, including Rodgers’ injured knee. Since there’s little pressure for the 49ers’ quarterback to leave Lambeau Field with a victory, perhaps Beathard will find his rhythm, play smart and give San Francsico an opportunity to win this game.
Or maybe his play will force 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan to intensify their quarterback search over the next few weeks. Provided San Francisco’s playmakers return to action in Week 6, Beathard’s NFL future will be in his hands.