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49ers vs. Packers: Analyzing quarterback C.J. Beathard’s performance in Week 6

By Peter Panacy

GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 15: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers participates in warmups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 15: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers participates in warmups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – OCTOBER 15: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers sacks C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – OCTOBER 15: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers sacks C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Negative Takeaways from C.J. Beathard in Week 6

As noted, not everything from C.J. Beathard was perfect against the Packers.

Perhaps the most notable blemish on Beathard’s performance was the fourth-quarter interception picked off by Packers cornerback Kevin King, who had underneath leverage on wide receiver Marquise Goodwin:

Two things of note on this play — first, Beathard had a couple of checkdown options available despite facing the blitz, and either likely would have picked up the first down, thereby moving the chains and setting the 49ers up nicely for what could have been a game-winning field goal.

Second, Beathard’s pass was slightly underthrown. Instead of leading Goodwin, which would have been the dagger, Beathard’s toss is just shy of the point where only Goodwin could have caught it.

Earlier, with just under three minutes remaining in regulation, Packers EDGE Clay Matthews beat rookie right tackle Mike McGlinchey and was able to sack Beathard on a key third-down play. While McGlinchey will inevitably be credited for giving up the sack, it wasn’t exactly a bang-bang play. Beathard had time to evade the pressure and attempt to extend the play.

In this case, at least the sack kept the clock rolling and made the Packers’ comeback prospects a bit more difficult. But attempting to convert that third-down try would have been far more valuable.

Beathard’s pocket presence isn’t quite where it needs to be. Better than his rookie season, yes. But it’s still not one of his strengths.