49ers vs. Chargers Total Prediction
Life without Jimmy Garoppolo begins for the 49ers on Sunday when they visit the L.A. Chargers at 4:25 p.m. ET. Without Garoppolo, can under bettors capitalize on the 49ers struggling offensively?
Game Snapshot
271 San Francisco 49ers at 272 Los Angeles Chargers
4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 30
StubHub Center, Carson, California
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Chargers are 10.5-point favorites to beat the 49ers. The total, meanwhile, sits at 46 points. As of this writing, 64% of the public betting tickets are on the Chargers to cover the point spread.
San Francisco 49ers Fantasy News & Notes
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports an MRI has confirmed Jimmy Garoppolo’s initial diagnosis of a torn left ACL. Garoppolo is also believed to have MCL damage, but that’s yet to be confirmed. That would threaten to delay his surgery. It’s the worst news the 49ers could have gotten this season. Garoppolo’s play was a little shakier than it was in 2017, but he was still performing at a high level with obvious room for improvement. His loss essentially pauses the 49ers’ rebuild. 2018 is going to have a hard time not feeling like a wasted year in San Francisco. 2017 third-rounder C.J. Beathard will finish the year under center. When he’s next in the huddle, Garoppolo will be 27 years old with just 10 career starts.
L.A. Chargers Fantasy News & Notes
Keenan Allen (knee) remained sidelined on Thursday. It’s possible the Chargers are just being cautious with their No. 1 receiver, but back-to-back DNPs are never a good sign, especially for a player with a history of knee issues. For what it’s worth, coach Anthony Lynn did indeed say the team is “being cautious.” Fantasy owners should consider their WR1 genuinely questionable for Sunday’s game with the 49ers. Mike Williams would be a plug-and-play WR3 were Allen to sit.
NFL Betting Trends
San Francisco
The over is 5-1 in the 49ers’ last six games overall.
Los Angeles
The under is 10-4 in the Chargers’ last 14 games overall.
Prediction
The 49ers certainly aren’t a playoff contender with C.J. Beathard under center but don’t just assume he can’t move the ball. Kyle Shanahan is an outstanding play-caller and Beathard did spend time a year go in this offense. Granted, he didn’t exactly light it up but he’s got more experience running the system now. The Chargers will score plenty of points. I’m assuming the 49ers can carry their weight to help push this one over.
NFL Week 4 Prediction: 49ers/Chargers over 46