San Francisco 49ers v. LA Chargers Live Game Day Open Thread

The San Francisco 49ers look to rebound from a devastating loss last week – come talk about the game and all things Niners football here.

Heading into the season, the San Francisco 49ers were riding the momentum of a five-game win streak to close out last year. And they certainly had a lot of positive things to build on.

They signed their franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a then-record $137.5 million dollar deal. They had one of the brightest young linebackers in the game in Reuben Foster, and lured former arch-nemesis Richard Sherman south, to join them.

They also signed running back Jerick McKinnon away from the Minnesota Vikings, and together with holdover Matt Breida, seemed to be the perfect one-two punch out of the backfield for HC Kyle Shanahan’s system.

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And if you saw what Shanahan did with Atlanta’s offense with a top tier quarterback in Matt Ryan, solid wide receivers, and a lethal running back duo in Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman, that feeling of excitement only got stronger.

The offseason free agent additions, along with draft picks like tackle Mike McGlinchey, linebacker Fred Warner, and receiver Dante Pettis, all seemed to point to bigger, better things on the immediate horizon for this 49ers franchise.

And although the suffered a loss to the Vikings in their opening game, and Garoppolo didn’t look particularly sharp in what was his first loss as a starter, the team rebounded well – for most of the game – in holding off the Lions to even their record in week two.

With Foster coming back from suspension to start alongside Warner in week three, the team – although still dinged up in certain spots – was coming together, and you just felt like things were about to happen.

Unfortunately, things did happen – and not for the good.

Squaring off against the juggernaut that is Kansas City in week three, the 49ers defense allowed Patrick Mahomes to light them up, as the Chiefs scored on their first five possessions to take 25-point lead into halftime.

And it only got uglier from there, as the 49ers then lost Jimmy Garoppolo to a season-ending ACL tear he sustained while scrambling for yards, and cornerback Richard Sherman for multiple weeks with a calf injury. And this, after already losing McKinnon for the year before the season even began.

Suddenly, that bright, shining buzz around San Francisco has dimmed, as the team has to chart a way forward with C.J. Beathard under center.

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Beathard struggled mightily in Shanahan’s system last year, posting a 1-4 record as the starter. He threw for just under a 55 percent completion rate, with four touchdowns against six interceptions. Beathard was pretty dreadful in his five games last year, and it’s somewhat surprising, he even made the cut this year, after seeming to have been outplayed by 2017 UDFA Nick Mullens through the preseason.

And now, they get to face the LA Chargers, who can light it up – but can also be inconsistent as well. It will be made somewhat easier, given that Joey Bosa will not be playing today, and won’t be there to rattle Beathard’s cage. Joining Bosa on the will not play list is tackle Joe Barksdale, and linebacker Kyzir White.

Receivers Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin were both listed as questionable, but are expected to play, and will push a 49ers secondary that was torched by Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Sammy Watkins last week – and will not have Sherman today.

For San Francisco, obviously Garoppolo and Sherman are out. Also out of today’s action is guard Joshua Garnett. Safety Adrian Colbert is questionable, and will be a game time decision. And running backs Alfred Morris and Breida, are also both questionable, but are expected to play.

The 49ers are reeling with the injuries sustained, and will be hard pressed to contain one of the more explosive offenses in the league. But, if there’s a time for this team to rally, this is it.

What are the biggest storylines of the week to you? What concerns you the most? And what gives you a sense of optimism? How do you see this game playing out?

This is your virtual soapbox. Your place to talk about the game and all things 49ers football. So step on up, and call your shot. Speak out, and be heard!