49ers Vs. Chargers: What You Need To Know About Thursday Night's NFL Game

With the end of the 2010-11' NFL season quickly approaching, this Thursday Night's game will be extremely exciting to watch, between the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers, with playoff implications on the line.

The San Diego Chargers are only one game behind Kansas City in the AFC West, and the 49ers are also only one game behind in their division, trailing the Seattle Seahawks and St.Louis Rams.

Week 15 is full of exciting matchups, be sure to tune into the first game Thursday Night in what will be a battle between two teams that need to win if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The following slides give a preview of what to expect when San Francisco travels to San Diego, to take on Philip Rivers and the Chargers.

The Quarterback Matchup

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers drops back to pass against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gro

# 17 Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

2010 Stats

290-439, 66.1 CMP%, 3868 yards, 26 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 103.1 QB rating

The Philip Rivers led Chargers passing offense, is the 2nd most productive in the National Football league averaging 286.2 YPG.  This week he will go up against the 20th overall ranked passing defense of the San Francisco 49ers.  In the last five games Philip Rivers has thrown a total of 11 touchdowns and four interceptions against the Texans, Broncos, Colts, Raiders, and Chiefs.

#11 Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

2010 Stats

160-269, 59.5 CMP%, 1809 yards, 12 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a 80.6 QB rating

After not playing for the last five weeks, Alex Smith had an amazing performance in Week 14 throwing 17-27 for 255 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 130.9 QB rating.  Smith faces a tough challenge this Thursday against the first overall passing defense of the San Diego Chargers who limit their opponents to an average of 173.4 YPG.

Playmakers at Wide Receiver

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 14: Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park on November 14, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

#15 Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers

2010 Stats

42 receptions for 555 yards and five touchdowns

Even though the San Francisco passing attack was dominant last week against the Seahawks, Crabtree played poorly only making a single catch for one yard.

#84 Josh Morgan, San Francisco 49ers

2010 Stats

32 receptions for 494 yards and two touchdowns

Morgan had one of his most productive performances of the season, making three catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.

#80 Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers

2010 Stats

35 receptions for 660 yards and six touchdowns

In the blowout win against Kansas City last Sunday, Floyd came up big with two touchdowns after not scoring the previous two weeks.

#12 Patrick Crayton, San Diego Chargers

2010 Stats

28 receptions for 514 yards for one touchdown

Crayton has been explosive the past two games, making a total of six receptions for 175 yards and one touchdown.

Effectiveness Of The Running Game

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 12: Running back Mike Tolbert #35 of the San Diego Chargers leaves the field after the game with the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. the Chargers won 31-0. (Photo by Stephen Dun

#35 FB Mike Tolbert, San Diego Chargers

2010 Stats

Rushing: 161 rushing attempts for 691 yards and 10 touchdowns

Receiving: 25 receptions for 216 yards

#24 RB Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

2010 Stats

Rushing: 103 attempts for 447 yards and three touchdowns

Receiving: 16 receptions for 98 yards

The 13th overall rushing offense of the San Diego Chargers, averaging 113.4 YPG, will be going up against the ninth overall rushing defense of the 49ers who hold their opponents to an average of 100.1 YPG.

#21 RB Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

2010 Stats

Rushing: 203 rushing attempts for 853 yards for three touchdowns

Receiving: 46 receptions for 452 yards and two touchdowns

#20 RB Brian Westbrook, San Francisco 49ers

2010 Stats

Rushing: 46 rushing attempts for 199 yards and one touchdown

Receiving: 11 receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown

Frank Gore and Brian Westbrook will have a tough time on Thursday night against the 4th overall ranked rushing defense in the NFL.  The 49ers rank 18th overall in rushing offense with a average of 108.5 yards per game.

Kicker Accuracy

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 03: Nate Kaeding #10 of the San Diego Chargers kicks the ball from Mike Scifres #5 during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Qualcomm Stadium on October 3, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

#10 Nate Kaeding, San Diego Chargers

2010 Stats

15-19 FGM/FGA(78.9 PCT), 31-31 XPM/XPA, 76 total points

Nate Kaeding has been solid from a distance this season, going 7-for-10 from beyond 40 yards.

#3 Jeff Reed, San Francisco 49ers

2010 Stats

22-29 FGM/FGA(75.9 PCT), 24-24 XPM/XPA, 90 total points

Jeff Reed has been perfect since arriving in San Francisco, from Pittsburgh, making every kick he has attempted so far.

Injury Update

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 29: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers is introduced against the Jacksonville Jaguars during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on November 29, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers

#52 LB Patrick Willis: Questionable, Hand (did not practice on Tuesday)

#20 RB Brian Westbrook: Probable (non-injury related)

#51 LB Takeo Spikes: Questionable, Hand (limited participant in Tuesday's practice)

San Diego Chargers

#12 WR Patrick Crayton: Out, Wrist (will not play on Thursday)

#11 WR Legedu Naanee: Probable, Hamstring (participated in practice on Tuesday)

#80 WR Malcom Floyd: Questionable, Hamstring (limited in Tuesday's practice, and missed Wednesday)

#85 TE Antonio Gates: Doubtful, Foot/Ankle