Niner Noise
FanSided

Turnovers, C.J. Beathard’s struggles & other takeaways from 49ers’ Week 7 loss to Rams

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers dives for a first down against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers dives for a first down against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Time for the 49ers to Focus on 2019

San Francisco’s Week 7 loss to Los Angeles revealed a lot of things. Most importantly, perhaps, it showed the 49ers are nowhere close to competing with a team like the Rams even when L.A.’s offense isn’t quite firing on all cylinders.

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The Rams gained only 331 yards of total offense, by the way.

Injuries have played a huge role in the Niners’ disappointing 2018 campaign, for sure. One can only guess what would have happened if quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and/or running back Jerick McKinnon not suffered season-ending ACL injuries. But they did, the 49ers are bad and the focus now needs to be on 2019.

Week 7 gave San Francisco a chance to measure up against arguably the best team in the NFL. The 49ers are years behind in so many categories: depth, star power, skill players, etc.

This means players like cornerbacks Tarvarius Moore and Ahkello Witherspoon need to be on the field. Both are third-round NFL Draft picks; high investments in which the Niners need to see can be future high-level contributors.

It was surprising to see the 49ers start depth corner Greg Mabin over Moore with the veteran, Jimmie Ward, out with a hamstring injury.

Mabin probably isn’t a part of the team’s defensive future. Ward, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, certainly isn’t. Each snap those two receive over Moore and/or Witherspoon is doing the Niners a long-term disservice.

Next. 49ers' Week 7 preview versus the undefeated Rams. dark

Find the pieces essential to 2019. Or at least reveal those pieces aren’t going to cut it down the road.