Los Angeles Rams: 3 things to watch in the NFC West for Week 5

The San Francisco 49ers lost in Week 4 to a good Chargers team in their first outing since losing starter Jimmy Garoppolo for the balance of the 2018 season. Backup quarterback C.J. Beathard is now the clipboard holder taking the snaps and tasked with keeping the Niners out of the cellar.

That’s a tall order.

Week 5 will say a lot for the NFC West as all four teams are playing each other. With the Los Angeles Rams the clear cut favorite, it’s still anybody’s guess who fills out the remainder of the division as far as wins and losses go.

That said, and coming off of a second straight loss, the Cardinals may be the best medicine the 49ers could have hoped for in Week 5.

With the Garoppolo plan scuttled against the Kansas City Chiefs and injuries mounting up and down the depth chart, Beathard has a tough job, especially in October and after Week 5. The Niners have a road trip to play the Green Bay Packers in Week 6, then come back home for what should be the division leading Rams in Week 7. The only “bonus” in October is another go-around with the Cardinals who may still be winless come Week 8.

San Francisco has a tough row to hoe this month. But things could take a turn for the better with a win on Sunday.