Chargers vs. 49ers: Live San Francisco Score and Analysis

The San Francisco 49ers were no longer be looking at a postseason return in Week 16. But this prime-time contest versus the San Diego Chargers offered up an opportunity for the 49ers to thwart the Chargers' prospects for a postseason berth.

Entering the contest with an 8-6 record, San Diego stood on the outside, looking in. The Chargers held the No. 8 seed in the AFC before Week 16.

The previously 7-7 49ers had already been eliminated. What has been a turbulent 2014 season for San Francisco will get even more bumpy with the likely departure of head coach Jim Harbaugh at the end of the year.

But the 49ers still had a game to play and could not focus on what the future of this franchise will eventually do at its helm.

A San Francisco victory had to be done following a plethora of injuries suffered by the 49ers in Week 15. Stellar linebacker Chris Borland found his way onto the injured reserve list after injuring his ankle last week, per NFL.com's Dan Hanzus.

The 49ers' tackling leader was one of many injuries San Francisco would have to overcome. No. 2 running back Carlos Hyde was out, and right tackle Anthony Davis was questionable but ended up starting the game.

This contest may have meant little more than pride for the 49ers. But they hoped to play the spoiler role to the best ability possible. San Diego figured to be desperate at this point. 

San Francisco got off to a hot start. Running back Frank Gore was able to rip off a 52-yard run into the end zone to give the 49ers an early lead.

After an interception from cornerback Perrish Cox, San Francisco was able to march back down the field where Kaepernick hooked up with rookie wideout Bruce Ellington for an eight-yard touchdown pass. On the subsequent defensive stand, safety Antoine Bethea picked off Rivers and returned it all the way for another touchdown.

But the Chargers were able to answer back on their subsequent drive. Rivers found wide receiver Eddie Royal for a 15-yard touchdown reception that put San Diego on the board.

San Francisco responded at the end of the first half. Ellington posted his second touchdown of the game. This time it was a one-yard rush around to the right and into the end zone.

It was the Chargers who scored first in the second half. Tight end Antonio Gates continues his exemplary career with a one-yard touchdown reception. San Diego followed up with another score—a strange play in which Kaepernick was stripped of the ball and Corey Liuget recovered it in the end zone.

Kaepernick made up for his fumble on the following play. A 90-yard rush from the 49ers' signal-caller put the 49ers back on top by two scores.

Yet the Chargers answered back with Gates' second touchdown reception of the night.

San Diego's comeback was complete with 29 seconds remaining in regulation. Rivers found widout Malcom Floyd for a game-tying touchdown reception, signifying the 49ers' fourth-quarter struggles. They had led 28-7 previously.

This score sent the game into overtime after kicker Phil Dawson's 60-yard try came up short.

Things started off promising for the 49ers in the overtime period. San Francisco won the toss, and second-year pro Quinton Patton had a nice return. But a costly fumble was recovered by San Diego, which led to a game-winning field goal by kicker Nick Novak.

San Francisco's rough season just got a little more rough after this loss.

FINAL: Chargers 38, 49ers 35 (OT)

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.

Peter Panacy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers. Be sure to check out his entire archive on 49ers news, insight and analysis.

Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.