San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard is working hard this week to prepare for his second NFL start. His first came on Sunday when his team was routed 40-10 by the Dallas Cowboys. The situation won't be any easier this weekend when the 49ers head on the road to face the Philadelphia Eagles, who at 6-1 own the NFL's best record.
The 49ers will hold three full practices this week with the first starting at 1:25 p.m. PT on Wednesday. Beathard joined the "Murph & Mac" show on KNBR Wednesday morning and shared his thoughts on preparing for the 49ers' trip to Philadelphia.
"It's exciting and I think they are one of the best teams, if not the best team, in the NFL right now," Beathard said. "Record-wise, they definitely are but they're a really good team. We've got a lot of respect for them. We've got nothing to lose and we're going to go in there and fight hard and play our best. Hopefully, we come out with a win. I think it's a great opportunity for us to build and get better as a team and get our first win."
Lincoln Financial Field is known as a very unwelcoming stadium for visiting teams – to say it nicely. "Murph & Mac" co-host Paul McCaffrey described the Philadelphia fanbase as "lunatics." While Beathard saw his first extensive playing time during a road game against the Washington Redskins, his first NFL start came in the safe confines of Levi's Stadium.
Beathard was asked to share his thoughts on playing in a very hostile environment.
"I just heard it's going to be a loud stadium," Beathard said. "That's really the biggest thing for me. I don't really care what they say or do. Just the noise, I know it's going to be loud and we're going to have to prepare and practice with some noise in practice this week."
The Eagles opened the week as heavy favorites over the winless 49ers. The two teams kick off at 10:00 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.
You can listen to the entire interview with Beathard below.
