SANTA CLARA — Perhaps issues are lastly turning round for the Los Angeles Chargers.
They dwell underneath a perpetual rain cloud in a drought-plagued state, tenants to the Tremendous Bowl champion Rams of their dwelling stadium, awaiting the following debacle that screams out “Chargers.”
However of their Week 9 street win over the Atlanta Falcons, the luckless Chargers bought fortunate en path to a 5-3 file that has them only a recreation again of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the AFC West.
Whereas transferring in for a game-winning area purpose on the Atlanta 22, working again Austin Ekeler misplaced a fumble on a third-and-3 play with solely 46 seconds remaining. Falcons defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham scooped up the reward and headed the opposite approach. After 19 yards, he dropped the ball, with Chargers lineman Matt Feiler pouncing on it.
Provided that reprieve, quarterback Justin Herbert hit Josh Palmer for 22 yards to get the Chargers again in area purpose vary.
In got here Cameron Dicker, who changed Taylor Bertolet (quad pressure), who had changed Dustin Hopkins (hamstring). Kicking mishaps have lengthy been part of Chargers lore. Dicker, who junked plans for attending a Carrie Underwood live performance when the Chargers known as, delivered from 37 yards out for the win.
“These are video games that perhaps a few years in the past go otherwise,” Herbert informed reporters. “It’s a battle for each win. For us to step up, cope with the punches and reply I believed was enormous for us.”
GAME ESSENTIALS: Chargers (5-3) at 49ers (4-4) at Levi’s Stadium, 5:20 p.m. (NBC) ODDS: 49ers (-6 1/2)
THREE REASONS FOR 49ERS OPTIMISM
The Deebo-McCaffrey pairing
Assuming Samuel is recovered from a hamstring pressure, it is going to be the primary intensive probability to see each on the sector on the similar time; McCaffrey was restricted to 22 snaps in his 49ers debut towards Kansas Metropolis whereas Samuel reverted extra to a receiver function. Having each at full power provides the 49ers a pair of position-less gamebreakers who may be cut up vast or within the slot, lined up within the backfield. They'll run jet sweeps, get downfield or run energy.
Heck, what if Shanahan used McCaffrey as a shotgun quarterback, play-faked inside to Elijah Mitchell then had the choice to maintain or pitch to Samuel?
This needs to be enjoyable, to not point out explosive.
Chargers can’t cease the run
Tyler Allgeier gained 99 yards on 10 carries for Atlanta, lacking by a single yard his probability to grow to be the fifth again to interrupt 100 yards on the Chargers’ porous run protection. James Robinson of Jacksonville (17-100-1 TD), Dameon Pierce of Houston (14-131-1), Nick Chubb of Cleveland (17-134-2) and Kenneth Walker III of Seattle (23-167-2) have all had their approach with the Chargers.
These 5 backs had lengthy runs of 44, 74, 41, 75 and 50 yards. The Chargers are giving up 5.7 yards per carry and 145.5 yards per recreation. If the 49ers run it 40 instances, they’d acquire 228 yards. Sounds doable no matter how the carries are distributed.
Protection bought its wakeup name
Patrick Mahomes might have been the neatest thing to occur to the 49ers protection this 12 months. The Chiefs quarterback took the 49ers aside on Oct. 23, and based mostly on the follow-up towards the Rams, it was a wanted chilly slap within the face.
The 49ers are No. 1 within the NFL in whole protection by way of yardage (285.9) and are the one group within the NFL giving up lower than 200 yards per recreation passing (199.2) and fewer than 100 speeding (86.6). They’ll be even higher if/when Arik Armstead returns from foot miseries.
Offensively, the Chargers shall be with out each of their high receivers, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
THREE REASONS FOR 49ERS PESSIMISM
Be careful for Austin Ekeler
It’s attainable the very best runner/receiver on the sector gained’t be McCaffrey or Samuel. In truth, each are trying up at Ekeler in crucial stat for offensive twin threats — touchdowns.
In his final 24 video games relationship again to final season, Ekeler has an NFL-best 30 touchdowns. He has 98 rushes for 427 yards and 6 scores this 12 months to go together with 60 receptions for 381 yards and 4 scores. Final season he had 911 yards speeding with 12 touchdowns and 647 yards receiving and eight scores.
Inconsistency could also be of their DNA
Completely different groups have completely different traits. And one fixed via the primary eight video games of the season is the 49ers in half of their video games merely haven’t performed wherever close to their degree of expertise would counsel.
The 49ers perceive they’re taking part in a group that's lacking edge rusher Joey Bosa, simply misplaced defensive deal with Austin Jackson and misplaced free agent nook J.C. Jackson for the 12 months. Left deal with Rashawn Slater went down early. The 49ers are prohibitive favorites regardless of going through a group with a successful file.
However the Chargers nonetheless have a quarterback with nice arm expertise in Herbert, in addition to defensive game-wreckers in edge rusher Khalil Mack and security Derwin James. Lose the turnover battle and it’s a ballgame.
The Jimmy G curler coaster
Talking of turnovers, 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t have any final week and accomplished 21 of 25 passes. There have been a few near-misses nonetheless, together with one on a deflected ball on the line of scrimmage by Jalen Ramsey.
A part of the Garoppolo expertise is watching him be so measured and exact after which having the large choose or fumble come out of nowhere as if turnovers are mendacity in wait.
PROBABLE DIFFERENCE MAKER: QB Justin Herbert
The third-year quarterback of Oregon could also be the very best pure passer within the NFL. Partially on account of accidents along with his receivers, and in addition due to a Week 2 rib harm, Herbert hasn’t had as many deep strikes this season. He’s thrown principally brief and fast, having been sacked solely 10 instances. However that 50-yard dime is at all times a flick of the wrist away and Herbert is nice sufficient to shred anyone on his greatest day.