© Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The 49ers viewed Week 7 as the beginning of a seven-game stretch featuring five primetime games, but the NFL had other ideas. San Francisco’s home matchup with the undefeated Los Angeles Rams in Week 7 was flexed out of the Sunday Night slot. The 49ers’ Sunday night game at Seattle in Week 13 has the same possibility.
The 49ers have their first chance to prove they belong on center stage Monday night when they visit Lambeau Field, one of the sport’s hallowed venues, against Aaron Rodgers, one of the sport’s all-time great quarterbacks. The 49ers aren’t expected to win, but if they do, they’ll need the following players to step up.
C.J. Beathard
Beathard could be featured on this list every week. He played very well in Week 4, his first start of 2018, even if a couple unfortunate turnovers clouded his day. Week 5 went differently. Despite compiling career-highs in yards (349), completions (34), and attempts (54), he struggled to take care of the ball.
The 49ers dominated in every category except for the most important one: turnover differential. And they got crushed, 5-0. Beathard was responsible for four of them, two interceptions and two fumbles. Five giveaways will almost never result in a win, even against the Cardinals, the NFL’s only winless team entering Week 5 with rookie quarterback Josh Rosen making his second career start.
If the 49ers make the same mistakes, Monday’s matchup with Green Bay could turn ugly.
Beathard needs to limit the errors. Last week, he didn’t step up in the pocket quickly enough when pressure mounted, and he struggled to survey his progressions. His receivers need to gain more separation, and his linemen need to supply him with pass protection (they allowed four sacks last week), but Beathard has to improve.
Ahkello Witherspoon
One of the game’s marquee matchups features Richard Sherman vs. Packers receiver Davante Adams, who has 37 catches for 425 yards and four touchdowns through five games. But it’s highly likely the Packers will consistently move Adams away from Sherman’s left side, where he has been firmly entrenched throughout his career.
The victim of that would be Ahkello Witherspoon. The second-year cornerback has struggled mightily this season after coming on strong in his rookie year, lending optimism for his second season. His worst performance of 2018 came in Week 2, as the Lions exploited Witherspoon, who was periodically subbed out for Jimmie Ward throughout the second half. Greg Mabin has recently gotten reps, too.
The next two weeks didn’t improve much for Witherspoon, but he rebounded nicely in Week 5. The Cardinals scored a 75-yard touchdown on their first play of the game, targeting Witherspoon’s side, but he was not at fault. Free safety Adrian Colbert overcompensated too much and allowed receiver Christian Kirk to run free before hauling in the long touchdown.
Kyle Shanahan said earlier this week that Witherspoon had a great week at practice. He will need that to translate to Monday when he matches up with Adams, who is blossoming into a top-tier NFL receiver. Packers receiver Geronimo Allison, who has emerged as another option for Rodgers, is a game-time decision with a hamstring injury.
Reuben Foster
The 49ers coaching staff is searching for ways to fortify its pass rush. Through five games, the 49ers have just nine sacks, ranked 28th in the league.
One idea defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has entertained: blitzing Reuben Foster more frequently. Whenever he did throughout the past two games, positive results typically followed.
Robert Saleh has cut Reuben Foster loose on blitzes the past two games. Seems to be working. pic.twitter.com/DCu432ZcgX
— Brad Almquist (@bradalmquist13) October 8, 2018
Foster struggled in Week 3, missing six tackles in his 2018 debut after serving his two-game suspension to start the season. There was some obvious rust. He has steadily improved throughout the past two weeks.
One of his chief responsibilities Monday night is helping limit Packers tight end and living mismatch Jimmy Graham. Foster will also be key in containing the Packers’ running game and pressuring Rodgers, whose knee is not at 100 percent.
Richie James
Richie James, one of the 49ers’ 2018 seventh-round picks, made his NFL debut last week. He caught one ball for seven yards. He is likely to see more passes thrown his way in Week 6, with starting slot receiver Trent Taylor expected to sit with a back injury. Pierre Garcon is also questionable with shoulder and knee injuries. Dante Pettis will not play, as he continues to recovers from a knee injury suffered in Week 4.
All of the attrition opens a door for James, one of the preseason darlings, leading the 49ers in receiving through the four exhibitions. He was tremendous after the catch. But he was also doing most of his damage against second and third-string players.
He will need to step up and give Beathard an open target, one of San Francisco’s struggles last week.
Adrian Colbert
Colbert is another hyped second-year player who has regressed through five games. When Colbert missed Week 4 with a hamstring injury, rookie D.J. Reed got the start. The following week, Shanahan spoke as if the starting competition was somewhat open, inferring Colbert’s grasp on the job has loosened a bit. Arizona’s first touchdown last Sunday exposed awful coverage from Colbert, but he didn’t allow much else throughout the rest of the game.
One of Rodgers’ unique strengths is baiting the opposition into jumping offsides, creating free plays, then taking deep shots. Colbert will have to be sound in coverage to ensure nothing beats him over the top. He also must close down on Packers slot receiver Randall Cobb, who is also questionable with a hamstring injury, and Graham over the middle to erase big gains after the catch.
The 49ers have forced just three turnovers and one interception this season, an Antone Exum pick-six against the Chargers. Colbert is partly responsible for those struggles.