49ers-Seahawks recap: C.J. Beathard pressured on nearly 50 percent of dropbacks

We’ve already talked a bit about the poor offensive line play that led to C.J. Beathard getting sacked three times and hit 14 times against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, but there is still more to discuss. Notably, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback actually played somewhat passable football despite the constant onslaught of defensive pressure.

According to Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus, Beathard was pressured on 46.5 percent of his dropbacks (these numbers can be adjusted as they do further evaluation throughout the week, but they’re a pretty good starting point) while the Seahawks blitzed just three times all game.

Three times the Seahwaks sent more than the standard number of rushers after the quarterback, yet Beathard was judged to be under pressure nearly half the time he dropped back to throw a pass.

That said, over at PFF, they listed Beathard as having a performance of note on Sunday:

As the Jimmy Garoppolo era nears closer for San Fransisco, current starter C.J. Beathard played a relatively efficient game going against a defense that is superior in most areas matching up. He was under pressure often, going 8-of-17 for only 63 yards opposed to 14-of-21 for 138 yards when given time in the pocket. Facing an elite front seven, the 49ers struggled in protection as Beathard was hurried on 16 occasions and hit six times.

Beathard completed 22 of 38 passes for 201 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. His stats aren’t great, but under the pressure constantly going his way? I’ll take that kind of performance, or at least I wouldn’t have expected that kind of performance from him beforehand.

I said a couple weeks ago that Beathard looked like a reliable backup quarterback. I erred in that I didn’t make it clear that I’m not writing him off — he has a chance to be more than that, but I think his qualities and value as a backup need to be highlighted. Making it almost all the way through Sunday’s game without completely falling apart is a great sign.