Chargers vs. 49ers: Complete Week 16 Preview for San Diego
The San Diego Chargers have already been to Levi's Stadium once already for a preseason game. It didn't mean anything back in August, but here in December, it could determine if the Bolts make the postseason.
As Ricky Henne of Chargers.com writes, San Diego has three viable paths to the playoffs, assuming the team wins its final two games on the road against San Francisco and Kansas City. All three scenarios require losses in the AFC North, which currently has three members in the playoff picture: Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
According to Chargers.com, Antonio Gates and the rest of the team are focused on doing everything possible to continue playing into January:
"Every game is a must win at this point, and to us, the playoffs start this week. We want to have our opportunity to make it to the postseason. We have to take care of business come this Saturday and we’ll see how it goes. We are still in the hunt. I think that’s the most important part. We still have the opportunity.
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San Francisco ran out of opportunities this season.
The 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention via a 17-7 defeat to Seattle over the weekend, bringing an end to what has been a disappointing year for Jim Harbaugh's squad. In four seasons, he has guided the Niners to a 43-18-1 mark in the regular season, two NFC West titles, an NFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance not too long ago.
And yet, his future in San Francisco remains in doubt, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.
That said, general manager Trent Baalke hasn't given up on this season, setting a goal of 9-7 for his club despite the postseason being out of reach. The 49ers have home games against San Diego and division rival Arizona remaining in 2014.
Chargers at 49ers is one of two games slated for Saturday; Philadelphia at Washington is the other. San Diego's game will be the later of the two at 8:25 p.m. ET on CBS.
Here's what you need to know for Week 16, Chargers fans.
Chargers Week 15 Recap
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Playing against an ill Peyton Manning was as good a time as any to dig out a victory over the Broncos, but the Chargers failed to capitalize on his shortcomings, and Denver escaped with the AFC West title by way of a 22-10 win.
John Pagano's defensive unit held the league's fourth-ranked offense to three field goals in the first half, all of which came inside San Diego's 10-yard line, but the Bolts could muster only three points in five drives as Denver took a 9-3 edge into halftime. Nick Novak had an opportunity to trim the deficit to three in the third quarter, but he boinked a 37-yard field goal off the left goalpost, and the Broncos took advantage with a seven-play, 73-yard touchdown drive.
San Diego answered with a scoring drive of its own to open the fourth quarter—Philip Rivers hit Antonio Gates on a five-yard pattern to bring the Chargers within 16-10 with just over 10 minutes to play. Connor Barth capped Denver's next drive with a 49-yard field goal and added one of 44 yards after Rivers was intercepted by Aqib Talib—one of two interceptions he threw in fourth quarter.
The Chargers ventured into the red zone on five occasions, but a series of mental lapses prevented them from doing much of anything offensively. Rivers got San Diego down to Denver's 15-yard line in the second quarter, completing five straight passes for 51 yards, but offensive pass interference on Gates and a personal foul from D.J. Fluker on the ensuing play pushed the Bolt back to the 36, and Novak was unable to connect on a 46-yard field goal.
Novak's miss from 37 yards wasted another trip, and Rivers floundered the team's last attempt, throwing an interception in the end zone just before the two-minute warning. Keenan Allen injured his ankle in the first half and did not return for the second, and Ryan Mathews sat out the entire game with an ankle injury of his own. San Diego's running backs totaled 53 yards in his absence.
News and Notes
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Butler placed on IR with elbow injury
Mike McCoy confirmed on Monday that linebacker Donald Butler had suffered a dislocated elbow in Sunday's loss to Denver, and the team later announced his move to injured reserve.
Butler suffered the injury late in the second quarter while attempting to bring down running back C.J. Anderson near the goal line. 2014 has been a year of disappointment for Butler, who was rewarded with a lucrative new deal in the offseason.
Pagano used Butler primarily for his base defense alongside Kavell Conner at inside linebacker, but his absence should promote a mixture of Manti Te'o and Andrew Gachkar, both of whom are playing exceptionally well this season. Gachkar ranks second on the team with eight tackles for loss, and Te'o has done a little bit of everything the past two games (nine tackles, one tackle for loss, two passes defensed and one interception).
Allen out with ankle, shoulder injuries
On Tuesday, the team announced that leading receiver Keenan Allen will not be available for San Diego's crucial game against the 49ers. He suffered a broken collarbone and an ankle injury on back-to-back plays during last week's loss. If the Chargers are eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend, Allen could likely wind up finishing the year on season-ending IR, according to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com
Allen has only caught four touchdowns this season, but his 77 receptions are 29 more than the next closest receiver on the roster. The loss is especially big for Philip Rivers, who has targeted Allen 121 times.
Rivers laboring through a significant back injury, still a go for Saturday
Rivers missed his first practice since 2007 on Wednesday, and a day later, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted that the 11-year veteran is dealing with "a back injury bigger than most people realize," according to a league source. Rivers has played the role of iron man well throughout his career, but recent injuries to his chest, ribs and now back may be the reason for his mediocre play the last couple of games.
After Rivers returned to the practice field on Thursday, McCoy told reporters his quarterback had an outstanding day and would be ready to roll come Saturday.
Injury Report
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| Player | Position | Injury | Status |
| Keenan Allen | WR | Ankle, Shoulder | Out |
| Ryan Carrethers | DT | Elbow | Probable |
| Ladarius Green | TE | Concussion, Ankle | Questionable |
| Corey Liuget | DE | Ankle | Questionable |
| Ryan Mathews | RB | Ankle | Questionable |
| Philip Rivers | QB | Chest, Back | Questionable |
*Courtesy of CBS Sports and Chargers.com.
It's not looking good for Mathews this week. He sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday while still nursing a sore ankle; that pattern led to him missing last Sunday. Even if he miraculously suits up against the 49ers, his workload should be light.
With Allen out, the Chargers will need production from Malcom Floyd and Eddie Royal, who were held to three catches against the Broncos on Sunday. Seyi Ajirotutu replaced Allen in the second half last week and should be in line for more snaps on offense. San Diego could also look to activate Dontrelle Inman.
Carrethers missed the last four games with a dislocated elbow but looks on pace to return on Saturday after a full week of practice. Liuget was questionable with the same ankle injury last game but toughed it out for his 14th start of the season. He missed practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday.
Having Green back would be a big lift for the offense with its No. 1 receiver down, but a limited practice session on Thursday is no guarantee for the tight end.
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X-Factor and Matchups to Watch
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Chargers front seven vs. Colin Kaepernick
With any mobile quarterback, the need to seal off running lanes will be especially vital in San Diego's effort to rattle Kaepernick. John Pagano used a similar method in Week 2 against Seattle, bringing pressure up the middle in an attempt to keep Russell Wilson in the pocket and not allow him to escape for big chunks of yardage. Kaepernick has been sacked 49 times this season, second most in the league, and the fourth-year quarterback has been prone to mistakes this year with 10 interceptions and seven fumbles.
Chargers rushing attack vs. interior of 49ers defense
San Francisco has been particularly thin at inside linebacker with Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman limited by injuries, but it only got worse when the news of Chris Borland's injury came out this week. The rookie standout, who leads the team with 107 tackles, suffered an ankle injury against Seattle and is likely done for the season, according to reports. His running mate Michael Wilhoite was limited in practice Thursday with a hip injury.
San Diego has struggled to get the run game going, but with two of the opponent's top three leading tacklers possibly being out, the Chargers should look to exploit San Francisco's weakness up the middle.
Chargers offense vs. 49ers defense
San Francisco's scoring output has been horrific with only 17.9 points per game, but the defense is holding opponents to 20.4 points, third-best in the NFL. San Diego is right around there defensively, keeping teams to 21 points. The concept is a simple one for San Diego: Put up more points than the 49ers. Executing that game plan, however, won't come easy.
Not only is San Francisco a good defensive team, but the Chargers offense has only managed to produce 17 points in the past two games. Add in the fact that San Diego will be down its No. 1 receiver and top rusher and playing with a hurt quarterback, and the prospects look bleak on offense.
X-Factor: Corey Liuget
Liuget's preseason performance against San Francisco was jaw-dropping in the short amount of time he had. He owned Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati that day and hassled Kaepernick every chance he got. Having built that confidence earlier, Liuget should do well against the 49ers and reacquaint himself with Kaepernick.
Prediction
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A 49ers team with nothing to lose is an opponent not to be taken lightly. San Francisco's playoff aspirations may have ended, but the season isn't over for Jim Harbaugh's squad.
Injuries at key positions, however, make Saturday's meeting an uphill battle for the home team. Frank Gore suffered a concussion last week against the Seahawks and was limited in practice on Thursday. His backup, Carlos Hyde, was also held out with an ankle injury.
San Diego's back is up against the wall here in Week 16. As it is, the Chargers will require help to reach the postseason even if they win their final two games. If they lose, chances are the regular-season finale will be nothing more than an end to 2014 for the Bolts.
The Chargers will win this game behind a top-notch outing from the defense, and Philip Rivers will get it done offensively with a couple of touchdown passes to lead San Diego past the 49ers in a low-scoring game.
Prediction: Chargers 17, 49ers 7
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