San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2018 ) L.A. Chargers 23, San Francisco 21

It's back to the drawing board at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers as they turn to C.J. Beathard when they visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. San Francisco is forced to rely on the 2017 third-round draft pick as Jimmy Garoppolo's season came to an end due to the torn ACL he suffered in last week's loss at Kansas City.

Beathard, who made five starts last year prior to the acquisition of Garoppolo, completed 123-of-224 passes for 1,430 yards with four touchdowns and six interceptions over seven games overall in 2017. Despite the change in quarterbacks, the Chargers will not be taking the 49ers lightly as they look to bounce back from a 35-23 road setback against the Los Angeles Rams. The Chargers, who are averaging over 27 points per game, can take solace in the fact that both of their losses have come against undefeated teams in the Chiefs and Rams. Philip Rivers has gotten off to a strong start this season, throwing eight touchdown passes and only one interception while averaging more than 300 yards per contest.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Chargers -10.5. O/U: 46

ABOUT THE 49ERS (1-2): San Francisco likely will rely heavily on Matt Breida, who enters Week 4 tied for the league lead with 274 rushing yards. The 23-year-old, who has been limited in practice due to a knee issue, has registered at least 100 yards from scrimmage in each of his last two contests. Rookie linebacker Fred Warner has recorded 10 or more tackles in each of his first three NFL games.

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (1-2): Rivers needs 222 passing yards to pass John Elway (51,475) for eighth place on the all-time list. Wide receiver Mike Williams caught a pair of scoring passes in the loss to the Rams, marking the first multi-touchdown performance of his career. The Chargers' backfield duo of Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler is the NFL's only pair of teammates at the running back position with at least 250 yards from scrimmage apiece this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Chargers DE Joey Bosa (foot) stated on Wednesday that he is unlikely to return until after the team's bye week, which follows its seventh game of the season.

2. To replace Garoppolo, who was placed on injured reserve, San Francisco promoted QB Nick Mullens from the practice squad.

3. The Chargers have won four straight meetings with the 49ers to take a 7-6 lead in the all-time series.

PREDICTION: Chargers 34, 49ers 13