This is the live blog for the 49ers (4-4) Week 10 game against the Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. I will provide updates and analysis from the press box throughout the match.
3:55 Inactive for the 49ers: Arik Armstead, Samson Ebukam, Ty Davis-Price, Curtis Robinson, Kemoko Turay, Nick Zakelj
4:00 The 49ers are looking for a decisive victory to open the second half. A win tonight will also help them catch up with the Seahawks who lost to Tampa Bay this morning.
4:05 Davis-Price returning to the bench makes sense. He was inactive the first week when Elijah Mitchell was healthy. The 49ers will go with Mitchell, Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason and Kyle Juszczyk in the backfield.
The loss of Samson Ebukam is a blow to San Francisco’s passing rush. I would expect to see Charles Omenihu start with rookie Drake Jackson as a backup.
5:02 Charles Omenihu lined up in place of Samson Ebukam with the starting defense during warm-ups.
There were no changes in high school. Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir lined up on the outside with Jimmie Ward in the slot. Tashaun Gipson and Talanoa Hufanga lined up as starting safeties.
5:15 The 49ers won the toss and postponed. The Chargers will have the ball first.
5:25 Drake Jackson is at right end and Charles Omenihu slides to defensive tackle when the 49ers are on Nickel/Dime staff.
5:27 Los Angeles with a quick strike to take the lead. Justin Herbert has all day to throw and connects on all five attempts on the first drive.
Talanoa Hufanga was caught looking inside and DeAndre Carter gets behind him for a 32-yard touchdown.
49ers 0 Chargers 7
5:39 San Francisco attempts to retaliate, rushing for 67 yards on 13 plays before the run ends at the Chargers 2.
The 49ers ran the ball on nine of 13 plays for 35 yards. Jimmy Garoppolo connected on three of four attempts for 34 yards. Robbie Gould connects from 20 yards for San Francisco’s first points of the night.
49ers 3 Chargers 7
5:48 The Chargers land a first down when Joshua Palmer breaks free on the left sideline. The 49ers were playing men’s coverage and Charvarius Ward had no chance of cutting through the congestion to follow Palmer.
In the next third, DeMeco Ryans calls for zone coverage and Justin Herbert throws incomplete to Palmer executing a takedown to the right side.
The 49ers will take over at their own 17.
5:53 Garoppolo with a strike to Brandon Aiyuk for a gain of 19 but the wide escapes the ball. The Chargers take over at the 49ers 32.
The 49ers can’t afford to make those mistakes.
5:57 Great job of the 49ers defense holding up in a sudden change situation.
Deommodore Lenoir with good coverage on Joshua Palmer who was going deep on third down.
Los Angeles is content with a field goal from 47 yards.
49ers 3 Chargers 10
6:00 Jordan Willis and Drake Jackson rotated opposite Nick Bosa so Charles Omenihu could slip inside.
6:05 The 49ers offense goes three and out.
So far, San Francisco has shown its offensive production against the Rams two weeks ago to be a mirage.
6:07 Jordan Willis was strong against the run. He opens possession for Los Angeles by dropping Isaiah Spiller for a loss of one.
6:08 The 49ers defense with a quick three and out. Tremendous work to force an incompleteness from Charvarius Ward on second down, then Jimmie Ward is in position to make the save on third down.
6:13 A quick three and one out for the 49ers offense, then the punt team gives up a block. The Chargers get the ball on the San Francisco 46. The 49ers are doing their best to give this game away.
6:15 Dr. Greenlaw was beaten, but Tre McKitty drops the pass. On the next play, Jimmie Ward was beaten for a gain of 33 yards. He’s not a cornerback.
6:20 After the Chargers get the first down at the 49ers 2, the San Francisco defense is able to take control and force a Chargers field goal.
Nick Bosa’s sack of Justin Herbert on second down was the big play.
49ers 3 Chargers 13
6:21 After the 49ers defense gave up a quick touchdown on the opening possession, their offense and special teams gave Los Angeles great field position with a fumble and blocked punt leading to six more points for the Chargers.
6:30 Jimmy Garoppolo with one of the best shots of his career. He gets pressured, moves to his right and drops a penny to Ray-Ray McCloud for a gain of 33.
The 49ers face the third and the goal of the one on the two-minute warning.
6:33 Jimmy Garoppolo ends the tee with a sneak. What a drive from Garoppolo there.
49ers 10 Chargers 13
6:52 With the Chargers moving the ball well, Justin Herbert takes off on a run and is hit in the head by Dr. Greenlaw.
The 49ers linebacker was called for a personal foul and disqualified from the game.
Herbert was taken off the field to be checked for a concussion and Chase Daniel ended the threat.
The Chargers settle for a basket as halftime draws to a close.
49ers 10 Chargers 16
6:57 The difference in this game was the six points the 49ers allowed on Aiyuk’s fumble and blocked punt.
7:14 Jimmy Garoppolo opens the second half with a completion to Christian McCaffrey for 21. From there, the 49ers hit the ball to the Chargers with big run after big run before being stopped on back-to-back plays at the eight from Los Angeles.
On third down, Garoppolo puts the ball a bit behind Aiyuk, and the receiver can’t hold the touchdown.
Robbie Gould comes in and throws a 26-yard field goal.
49ers 13 Chargers 16
7:23 The 49ers pressure Justin Herbert on third down, forcing an incomplete.
Tashaun Gipson limped off the field and was replaced by Tarvarius Moore.
The 49ers will take over at their own 20.
7:30 a.m. Khalil Mack ruins the 49ers’ offensive possession. After a pair of 14-yard nets, Kyle Shanahan dials up a bootleg and the setter comes free to sack Jimmy Garoppolo for a loss of ten.
After an incompleteness on second down, Garoppolo throws a quick screen to Deebo Samuel for 16 leading to a punt.
The 49ers offense can’t get out of its own way tonight. This is the story of their season.
7:37 The Chargers land a first down, but the 49ers defense gets the stoppage.
Jimmie Ward with a nice tackle on Austin Ekeler in the flat from the left after a short achievement on second down. Ward is unable to make the tackle on third down, but Talanoa Hufanga and Drake Jackson are able to scramble and make the save.
The Niners offense will take over on its own 22.
7:54 Facing third-and-ten Jimmy Garoppolo does a terrific job of getting the ball out quickly to beat a Chargers blitz and connect with Brandon Aiyuk for a 25 win.
Christian McCaffrey scores in the next play to give San Francisco their first lead of the game. Robbie Gould misses the extra point, which means the Chargers just need one FG to tie this game.
49ers 19 Chargers 16
7:59 The 49ers defense gets a quick three and out. Nick Bosa drops DeAndre Carter for a loss of six on a throw sweep, then forces a punt after stopping Tre McKitty for a gain of just seven.
San Francisco takes over when they turn 30. It’s time to chew a clock.
8:08 The 49ers offense lands a few first downs and eats a lot of time, but has to kick the ball. The chargers take over in turn. They have to go about 70 yards to tie the game.
Talanoa Hufanga offers his fourth interception of the year to seal the 49ers 22-16 victory.
