49ers vs. Chargers: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

The NFL preseason is nearly over, but it can't end until the San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers straighten a few things out on Thursday at Qualcomm Stadium.

Given what's gone on in their first three preseason games, the 49ers will settle for anything they can get. They've just had a rough go of things, particularly on offense. Thanks in large part to the struggles of Alex Smith (sound familiar?), the team's prospects for the 2011 season look bleak.

The Chargers, on the other hand, are looking pretty good as we speed towards the regular season. Philip Rivers is pretty well established as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and the Chargers also have an improved defense to boast about.

Before we get to the regular season, though, let's take a look at what these two teams have in store for us.

Where: Qualcomm Stadium

When: Thursday, 10:00 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS5 in San Francisco and KFMB in San Diego, streaming on-line at NFL.com (must purchase preseason package for $4.99). Replay on NFL Network Saturday at 2:00 a.m. ET.

Listen: KNBR and Sirius 92 for San Francisco, XHFG 107.3 FM and Sirius 88 for San Diego.

49ers' Key Addition

Have to go with wide receiver Braylon Edwards here. He had a tumultuous offseason, but he's going to be a reliable target in San Francisco's passing attack. In fact, it wouldn't be at all surprising if he supplants Michael Crabtree as the team's top wide receiver. Edwards may have his shortcomings, but he's nowhere near as unpredictable as Crabtree. 

Chargers' Key Addition

I really like the signing of safety Bob Sanders. His health has been a mess ever since he took home Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2007, but Sanders has not lost the instincts and the competitive fire that made him a star in the first place. If he stays healthy, San Diego's defense is going to be scary.

49ers' Biggest Loss

I have a feeling they're going to miss veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes, who will just so happen to be on the other side of the field on Thursday night. While he is well past his prime, Spikes is coming off a season in which he recorded 109 tackles and even three interceptions. Tough to lose a veteran presence who can also still produce at a high level.

Chargers' Biggest Loss

They're going to miss Darren Sproles. The diminutive running back was an invaluable asset during his time with the Chargers, and he is still one of the most versatile players in the league, as he can run the ball, catch it, and return it. Guys like that are hard to come by.

What They're Saying

Stephania Bell of ESPN.com shared some thoughts on Frank Gore's health on Tuesday. While she concedes that Gore is certainly injury-prone, she points out that Gore's body of work shows no real cause for concern.

"If you subtract 2010 (in which he played in 11 games, his fewest in a single season), he has played in 91 percent of games within a five-year span. That's an A-minus. Far above average," writes Bell.

Like that, all of Gore's fantasy owners just breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that the Chargers have more than their fair share of issues when it comes to the running game. Specifically, the team is hoping for more big runs this season.

"Breakaway runs are what make the average and end-of-game totals higher, no matter how many one-yard and negative rushes there are," argues Acee.

Remember when LaDainian Tomlinson played for the Chargers? Those were the days. 

49ers Player to Watch

How about Colin Kaepernick? To my knowledge, Harbaugh has not yet announced his plans for his quarterbacks against the Chargers, but I'm willing to bet that he will give his rookie extended playing time with Smith sitting out entirely. It's been a rough preseason for Kaepernick, but perhaps he can go into the regular season on a high note. That would certainly come in handy if and when Smith falters as the starter.

Chargers' Player to Watch

Second-year running back Ryan Mathews might not be in for that many carries against the 49ers, but he's worth watching anyway. In Acee's piece about the Chargers' running game, he referred to Mathews as the guy who needs to be responsible for breaking big runs. Mike Tolbert is the tough yards guy, Mathews is the big yards guy.

49ers' Key Position Battle

There's a pretty good battle going on between Jonathan Goodwin and Adam Snyder for the right to be the 49ers' starting center. Goodwin is the veteran with the Pro Bowl appearance, and Snyder is the guy who never played center in the NFL before this year. It would seem like an easy choice, but Goodwin is making it a hard one by struggling to assume control of the starting gig.

Chargers' Key Position Battle

It's not necessarily a position battle, but watch to see if wide receiver Bryan Walters can further convince the Chargers to keep him around. He came into the preseason totally unheralded, yet has caught the team's attention with good work on special teams and with a five-catch, 61-yard performance against the Arizona Cardinals that was highlighted by a touchdown grab. He's not a star, but he could prove to be a keeper.

Key Storyline

With most of the starters on both teams taking a rest, the focus on the field will be on the players who are merely trying to earn roster spots.

But when it comes to off-the-field matters, expect there to be a lot of talking about 49ers running back Frank Gore. According to Pro Football Talk, he is prepared to ink a three-year extension with the team, thus putting his contract dispute to bed.

As for the Chargers, it's all about their outlook for the 2011 season. They underachieved in 2010, but they have all the pieces they need to win the AFC West this year. If all goes well, they may be capable of much more.

Prediction

Chargers, 17-10