49ers win all three phases to cruise to 41-17 preseason win over Chargers

Reports coming out of joint practices between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers this week suggested the Chargers had a clear edge, particularly against the 49ers defense. But when the teams faced off at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Thursday night, it was the 49ers who held the Chargers largely in check, while delivering highlights on offense and special teams to pull away for a 41-17 win.

Granted, most of the game featured backups after each team gave some starters a few snaps early in the first quarter. But the 49ers got the better of the Chargers from start to finish, holding them to four first downs through the first three quarters while outgaining the Chargers 321 to 229.

Brock Purdy started the game at quarterback for the 49ers and connected on 4-of-6 passes for 29 yards. Mac Jones took over after the first drive and helped the 49ers build a 17-point halftime advantage before Adrian Martinez took over in the second half to finish things off.

Big plays, stout defense lead 49ers to halftime advantage

The Chargers opened the game with a three-and-out -- the lone series of the game for Chargers starting quarterback Justin Herbert -- then the 49ers took over at their own 6-yard line. The opening possession lasted 12 plays and included three completions to wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling for 25 yards before the 49ers punted back to the Chargers.

Trey Lance entered the game at quarterback for the Chargers' second series, which lasted six plays before ending in another punt. Mac Jones took over at quarterback for the 49ers as they took over at their own 12-yard line.

Jones and the 49ers quickly moved to midfield with the help of a 21-yard completion to Stribling and a 13-yard completion to tight end Luke Farrell, which were followed by runs of eight and nine yards by running back Kaelon Black to the 33-yard line. Stribling dropped what would have been a touchdown catch on the next play, then the drive stalled and kicker Eddy Pineiro came on to connect from 48 yards to give the 49ers a 3-0 lead at the start of the second quarter.

Pineiro's field goal was followed by four consecutive punts, with the fourth coming out of the 49ers' end zone. The Chargers took over at the 49ers' 42-yard line after an 11-yard return by KeAndre Lambert-Smith, then Lance broke free for a 37-yard run on first down to set up a 1st-and-Goal at the 6. But the 49ers held firm on defense, forcing the Chargers to settle for a 21-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker to tie the game at 3.

Just over seven minutes remained in the first half as the 49ers started their next possession, which began at their own 35-yard line. It took less than a minute for the 49ers to march inside the Chargers' 5-yard line on a 24-yard completion to wide receiver Jordan Watkins followed by a 37-yard run by running back Sincere McCormick. The 49ers moved back five yards on a first-down illegal shift penalty, but McCormick followed with a run of two yards and a touchdown run of seven yards to give the 49ers a 10-3 lead.

A three-and-out followed the touchdown, then return man Jacob Cowing made a play that could cement his spot on the opening day roster. Cowing, who is among a number of players competing for a spot at wide receiver and punt returner, showed he may be the answer at the return spot by breaking off an 83-yard dash for a touchdown. The 49ers were flagged for a 15-yard celebration penalty after the score, but Pineiro came through on the point after attempt to stretch the lead to 17-3.

A turnover on downs on the next possession gave the 49ers the ball at their own 42-yard line with 1:02 left in the half. A four-yard completion to wide receiver Trenton Irwin followed by a 20-yard completion to wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge moved the ball to the Chargers' 34-yard line, but they were only able to move just seven more yards from there to set up a 45-yard attempt by Pineiro. Pineiro connected on the kick as time expired in the half, sending the 49ers into the locker room with a 20-3 lead.

The 49ers outgained the Chargers 208 to 128 in the half, with 118 of their yards coming in the air. The 49ers were stout against the run on defense, holding the Chargers' running backs to just five yards on eight carries. Jones finished the half with 89 yards on 6-of-13 passing, while Lance connected on 10-of-16 passes for 73 yards with 42 yards on two carries.

49ers overcome early error to put on the finishing touches in the second half

Adrian Martinez entered the game at quarterback to start the third quarter for the 49ers, while DJ Uiagalelei took over at quarterback for the Chargers. But it was on defense where the second half scoring began. After the teams exchanged punts to start the half, the 49ers began their second possession at their own 11-yard line. Two plays later, Martinez threw the ball into the hands of linebacker Junior Colson while under pressure, which led to a 16-yard pick-six to give the Chargers their first touchdown. Dicker missed the point after attempt wide left, leaving the score at 20-9.

Martinez overcame the interception to lead the 49ers on their longest drive of the game -- a 15-play, 75-yard, seven-minute drive that ended with a touchdown run by Khalil Herbert to open up a 27-9 lead. The drive appeared over when Martinez threw the ball out of the end zone on a 4th-and-Goal from the 3-yard line, but a defensive holding call gave the 49ers a new set of down. Running back Khalil Herbert finished things off on the next play with a 1-yard run to stretch the lead to 18 points with 3:46 remaining in the third quarter.

A turnover on downs on the next possession gave the 49ers possession inside Chargers' territory at the 30, and they took advantage with a seven-play drive that ended with a touchdown run by Martinez to extend the lead to 34-9. A handful of short gains over the first six plays of the drive put the 49ers in a 3rd-and-6 at the 9-yard line, then Martinez escaped pressure to run in with just under 14 minutes left in the game.

Things got worse for the Chargers on the kickoff as linebacker Nick Martin punched the ball free from return man Devonte Ross to give the 49ers the ball at the 20-yard line after a recovery by Hodge. Two plays later, the 49ers made the score 41-9 when Martinez threw a strike to wide receiver Jordan Watkins for a 17-yard touchdown.

Three punts followed the touchdown before the Chargers took over at their own 45-yard line on an interception by safety Devin Grant with just under five minutes remaining. The Chargers were able to turn the interception into a late 28-yard touchdown pass from Uiagalelei to tight end Jerand Bradley, which was followed by a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 41-17. The 49ers ran out the clock on the final possession to seal the win .

The 49ers evened their preseason record at 1-1 with the victory, while the Chargers fell to 1-1 with the loss.

Game Notes

Purdy was one of a handful of starters or possible starters to have been in the lineup on Thursday night. Others of note included wide receiver Deebo Samuel, right tackle Colton McKivitz, center Jake Brendel, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, and cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green. Rookies to get early action on Thursday included Stribling, Black, guard Carver Willis, defensive end Romello Height, and linebacker Jaden Dugger... The 49ers will conclude their preseason schedule next Thursday on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders. The game will kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and will be aired locally on KPIX TV in San Francisco and FOX 5 Vegas.