San Francisco 49ers still can’t tackle, lose to Los Angeles Chargers 29-27

The San Francisco 49ers lose to the Chargers 29-27 despite CJ Beathard’s gutsy play at quarterback, but break out the tackling dummies!

The San Francisco 49ers placed an emphasis on proper tackling technique all week as they prepared for their matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. With 43 missed tackles through the first three weeks of the season, the Niners were the worst tackling team in the NFL.

Coach Kyle Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch spoke about the need to correct their team’s bad habit of lunging at the opponent’s feet, trying to arm tackle or hitting opposing players without wrapping them up and driving through them.

The first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers started out promising, as Niners linebacker Antone Exum intercepted Philip Rivers on the third play of the game and returned it for a touchdown. The 49ers defense appeared to be tackling better as well ,on the first few series of the game.

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But as the game wore on, the old bad habits resurfaced as the Chargers were able to continually extend drives or gain better field position due to missed tackles.

Rivers, who has started 196 consecutive games for the Chargers, will eventually make you pay for your mistakes.

With 49er quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo out with a torn ACL, C.J. Beathard got his first start of the season. Beathard has matured since his rookie season last year, when he looked like a deer in the headlights while going 1-4.

Against the Chargers, Beathard was composed on the field, making good decisions, and accurate throws. He was also able to scramble for yardage when the pass protection broke down.

When Beathard found Kendrick Bourne in the end zone for a two-yard touchdown pass, the 49ers were up 14-0 in the first quarter. The Chargers cut the lead to 14-6 when Rivers threw a touchdown pass to a wide-open Antonio Gates after Reuben Foster and Ahkello Witherspoon got confused about their defensive assignments.

The second quarter was highlighted by a ten minute, 21-play drive by the 49ers that resulted in a field goal. However, the Chargers came right back with a touchdown pass from Rivers to running back Austin Ekeler. After Los Angeles added a field goal, the Chargers and 49ers ended the first half tied at 17-17.

The 49ers tackling woes really started in the third quarter. Desmond King gained 21 yards on a punt return due to missed tackles. Chargers running back Melvin Gordon was hit behind the line of scrimmage, but turned the play into a 13-yard gain due to missed tackles.

Gordon scored two plays later on a pass from Rivers, giving the Chargers a 23-17 lead.

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers were inside the Chargers ten-yard line when Beathard’s pass bounced off tight end Garrett Celek and was intercepted by Trevor Williams. Williams returned the ball 86 yards, and the Chargers subsequently kicked a field goal to go up 26-17.

Beathard was able to hit George Kittle on an 82-yard touchdown play that cut the Charger lead to 26-24 after three quarters. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Robbie Gould knocked through a field goal to give the 49ers a 27-26 lead.

But the tackling bugaboo came up again when Melvin Gordon was able to add an additional 20 yards to bring the Chargers down to the 49ers four-yard line. A few plays later, the Chargers kicked the go-ahead field goal.

The 49ers made it easier for Chargers kicker Caleb Sturgis, who had been struggling the entire game (two missed extra points and a missed field goal).

With time winding down, Beathard threw his second interception of the game and the Chargers were able to hold on for the 29-27 win.

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For the game, Beathard completed 23 of 37 passes for 298 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. If he can get a little more support from his defense, the San Francisco 49ers can win a few of these close games.