49ers vs. Cardinals: 5 reasons San Francisco lost in Week 8

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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Defensive end Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals tackles quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Quarterback C.J. Beathard’s Indecisiveness

C.J. Beathard has played well enough for the 49ers to win a couple of games this season. But even at that ceiling, he’s not good enough to put the offense on his shoulders and actually win games.

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More often than not, however, Beathard is a liability.

During San Francisco’s Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Beathard tossed two interceptions and fumbled twice. That brought his season interception total to seven. Factor in two other picks against the Cardinals in Week 5, one can see how Kyle Shanahan wanted the quarterback to be more careful with the ball.

Beathard was too careful in Arizona.

Aside from a handful of throws and his 55-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, Beathard again displayed the poor pocket awareness and tendency to hold onto the ball for far too long.

The Cardinals sacked Beathard four times, and three of those could easily be on his shoulders.

Beathard has never done well under pressure, and the blitz has also bothered him. Pocket awareness wasn’t his strength at the collegiate level, and it’s pretty clear that trend has followed him into the NFL.

Next. 49ers vs. Cardinals: San Francisco grades & analysis from Week 8 loss. dark

On the night, Beathard went 14-of-27 for 190 yards and a touchdown. But the pass offense was largely absent and failed to deliver when the Niners needed it the most.

And San Francisco fell to 1-7 on the season as a result.