49ers meet their neighbor, another team headed in the wrong direction
Not even a 15-3, fourth-quarter lead proved the 49ers’ magic elixir to a losing streak that reached six Sunday in Arizona. But here come the Raiders, a fellow one-win wonder, in their debut visit to Levi’s Stadium tonight.
Yes, it’s 49ers (1-7) vs. Raiders (1-6), a neighborhood feud featuring teams with the NFL’s worst combined winning percentage (.133) in 785 prime-time, post-October games.
Their win total isn’t all they have in common. They’ve got once-acclaimed coaches under scrutiny, quarterbacks with cloudy futures and defenses that are far too generous.
So, from a 49ers-centric perspective, here’s how they can buck a six-game losing streak against their shorttimer neighbors:
QB3 OR QB #3 >> Compounding C.J. Beathard’s 0-5 record are injuries to his right wrist and thumb, so, if he doesn’t suit up in his No. 3 jersey, the 49ers will go to their third quarterback this season in Nick Mullens, who would be making his NFL debut (in a No. 4 jersey).
Mullens captured fans’ imagination in the exhibi-
tion season with dramatic finishes, two rushing touchdowns and a 72.1 completion percentage. He also had a pass intercepted in his first three exhibitions, but let’s not get negative on the baby-faced sniper, yet.
As for Beathard, he had trouble securing the football when healthy (three lost fumbles, seven interceptions), but he committed no turnovers while playing through his second-quarter wrist injury in Sunday’s 18-15 loss. His physical resiliency has won over teammates since his 1-4 rookie showing, and that’s why the 49ers likely won’t count him out until game time.
This isn’t a quarterback controversy as much as it should be an evaluation for who’s best fit to serve as the No. 2 backup in 2019, when the 49ers hope to get back on track with a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo.
MALCOLM IN MIDDLE >> The 49ers finally might have a full-time shift for Malcolm Smith, who left the Raiders and signed a lucrative deal with the 49ers last year. Smith took over at weak-side linebacker after halftime of Sunday’s loss when Reuben Foster (hamstring) could not return. Smith got switched to a role-playing, strong-side linebacker once healthy this season, having missed all of last season with a pectoral tear.
Foster’s hamstring strain, not to mention his lingering shoulder issue, could keep him out of the lineup for the first time since his two-game suspension to start the season.
The biggest challenge for Smith and rookie Fred Warner might be pass coverage, as the Raiders’ leading receivers are running back Jalen Richard and tight end Jared Cook. The 49ers haven’t covered backs and tight ends well this season. PASS RUSH WOES >> Neither the 49ers nor Raiders have a fearsome pass rush. Neither have Khalil Mack. But we digress.
For the 49ers’ offense, their banged-up line sorely missed center Weston Richburg (knee) last game, and while his status remains in doubt, left tackle Joe Staley and right guard Mike Person appeared on this week’s injury report with ankle injuries. The Raiders have a league-low seven sacks through seven games, but the 49ers have allowed 31 sacks (only the Cleveland Browns have more with 33).
For the 49ers’ defense, their anemic pass rush came out strong against the league’s worst pass-protecting team Sunday, totaling three sacks and a safety against Cardinals rookie Josh Rosen. But the 49ers couldn’t get to Rosen when it counted, stubbornly relying on a fourman pass rush while the Cardinals rallied with two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. DeForest Buckner nearly used the 49ers’ last prime-time platform
to deliver the biggest sack of his career, only to have that last-minute sack of the Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers wiped out by Richard Sherman’s penalty. SAFETY HELP >> Jimmie Ward fared well Sunday in his first game at free safety since last season, so the question now is who will line up next to him. Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt’s shoulder injury figures to keep him out along with backup Antone Exum (concussion).
Third-string option Tyvis Powell gave up those two Cardinals touchdown catches in Sunday’s loss. A potential new candidate is Marcell Harris, a sixth-round draft pick who could be coming off injured reserve this week after rehabilitating a hamstring injury.
And why might having two competent safeties be important? Because Derek Carr looked revitalized last game (three TD passes, season-best 136.6 passer rating). Oh, and also because rookie Tarvarius Moore may get his most action at cornerback, especially if Sherman (calf, heel) is sidelined.
FRESH CATCH >> With QB uncertainty, the 49ers figure to rely on their sixth-ranked rushing attack and a healthier Matt Breida. But what if Beathard or Mullens dared to throw to someone other than George Kittle? Pierre Garçon didn’t get traded before Tuesday’s deadline, and the 49ers hope he’ll return from a knee injury.
Even with Garçon out last game, Dante Pettis played only seven snaps and had only one target in his first offensive snaps since Week 3, so he needs to get more action. Mix in Marquise Goodwin’s down-field threat (four touchdowns on season) along with Trent Taylor or Richie James in the slot and the 49ers might actually get wide receivers to complement Kittle, whose big year should only get bigger.
And if none of those wide receivers come through, you can bet a certain Terrell Owens will be ready to suit up, at least after receiving his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring at halftime.