The Chargers may have dominated the 49ers during Tuesday’s joint practice, but that was far from the case when both teams took the field Thursday night.
After building up the excitement to watch Justin Herbert inside SoFi Stadium during the month of August, all we got was a quick three-and-out before the starters bowed out. From there, things did not get much more exciting.
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The Chargers looked undisciplined, and unmotivated, for most of the night. The offense was plagued with numerous procedural penalties, half of which erased some of the team’s best plays of the game. Running the ball seemed like the world’s tallest task against the Niners, as well. At one point, the Chargers running backs had three net rushing yards on 10 total carries in the third quarter. All night, defenders were shooting through gaps before any back could manage to cut north and south.
It wasn’t much different for the defense who all but vanished in the third quarter, as well. Allowing 40+ points in the preseason should be a difficult task, but it looked far too easy for the 49ers.
The Bolts ultimately fell 41-17 in a game that they’ll have to watch and stomach in order to see just how the entire operation fell apart. That also includes special teams which allowed an 83-yard punt return for a score.
The Chargers are back in SoFi Stadium as the away team against the Rams next Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PST.
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First Quarter
The Chargers won the toss and chose to receive. Justin Herbert and Co. was up first.
On first down, Omarion Hampton received a sweep to the right but tight end David Njoku was beat to the outside and it resulted in a one-yard loss. The next play, Herbert found another tight end in Charlie Kolar for a gain of nine to bring up third-and-two. Herbert faked a handoff on third down before firing left to Ladd McConkey but he was covered well and the ball fell incomplete.
The 49ers offense led by Brock Purdy saw a bit more success on their opening drive. Purdy found rookie De’Zhaun Stribling several times for first down receptions and rookie back Kaelon Black ran hard enough to move the chains early, as well. The Chargers defense clamped down a bit near midfield and ultimately forced a punt that bounced into the end zone.
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Unfortunately, when Jim Harbaugh said that the starters would only have one series in the game, that was the truth. Despite going a quick three-and-out to begin the game, Herbert was taken out for Trey Lance who managed to move the chains once with a short throw to running back Keaton Mitchell. Overallthe offense went 26 yards in six plays before punting back to San Francisco.
Second Quarter
After going 56 yards in 10 plays to close out the first quarter, the Niners began the second period with a successful 48-yard field goal by Eddy Piniero.
Both teams combined for four punts through the early portion of the quarter. The Chargers were the first to finally break the short stalemate as Lance broke off a 37-yard run to get the offense to the Niners six-yard line. Unfortunately that’s where the excitement ended as Lance could only muster a two-yard completion to Scott Matlock over the next three plays before Cameron Dicker came on to tie the game 3-3 with a 21-yard kick.
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The Niners offense got their biggest play of the day with a 37-yard run by Sincere McCormick. After an illegal shift penalty, McCormick bowled over three Chargers defenders and into the end zone from seven yards out to give the Niners a 10-3 lead.
Los Angeles went three-and-out once again on their next drive before allowing an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown by wideout Jacob Cowing. That special teams score pushed their lead to 17-3 with a little over three minutes remaining in the half.
Just before the break, quarterback Mac Jones brought the Niners into field goal range with a 20-yard pass over the middle to receiver KhaDarel Hodge. A seven yard completion to Cowing three plays later set them up at the LA 27 where Piniero was good from 45 yards out as time expired.
Third Quarter
The Chargers started strong out of halftime as they forced a three-and-out after Adrian Martinez took over for quarterback for the 49ers.
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D.J. Uiagalelei took over for Lance to start the second half and he wasted no time in finding Oronde Gadsden II for a 16-yard gain to move the chains. However, that play was followed by a pair of incompletions and a run for a one-yard loss which led to another punt.
On the second play of the ensuing Niners drive, Martinez was pressured by Nadame Tucker who burst untouched through the line. The pressure forced Martinez to get the ball out quick but he ended up throwing it right into the arms of linebacker Junior Colson who returned it untouched for a touchdown.
Martinez and the 49ers offense finally shook off their slow start to the half to put together a lengthy 14-play,74-yard touchdown drive aided by a defensive holding flag in the end zone by the Chargers. Following what looked like a turnover on downs in the red zone by the Bolts defense, Avery Smith was flagged and the Niners scored on the very next play on a two-yard run by Khalil Herbert.
Fourth Quarter
Martinez ran it in himself to cap off a 30-yard drive after the Niners forced a turnover on downs inside Chargers territory. A Devonte Ross fumble on the ensuing kickoff once again set up San Francisco with great field position and Martinez found wideout Jordan Watkins for a 17-yard score two plays later.
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The Chargers punted two more times before making their first splash play in some time with an interception off Martinez by rookie defensive back Devin Grant.
Just before regulation ticked away, Uiagalelei found UDFA tight end Jerand Bradley wide open up the left sideline for a big gain. However, the 49ers never touched him down and he managed to find his feet and trot into the end zone for a score. Tight end Evan Svoboda caught a two-point conversion to make the final score of 41-17.
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