Early in the season, it appeared Saturday’s matchup between the 49ers and Chargers would be a big game for both teams.
The 49ers were among the favorites in the NFC, and a late-season game against the Chargers – who started fast this season – looked juicy. In fact, the game was moved from its afternoon slot to night (5:25 p.m.) in anticipation of something special.
It remains an important game for San Diego (8-6), which must win this game and next week’s (plus get some help) to reach the postseason.
But for the 49ers – a team crippled by injuries, disappointing performances and the black cloud of head coach Jim Harbaugh being an apparent lame duck – this is just another step toward getting this awful season over.
As Dave Blezow of the New York Post wrote this week about this matchup: “The Niners have lost three in a row … and have scored 23 points in those games. Colin Kaepernick has had 121, 174 and 141 yards passing. This team already has quit on Jim Harbaugh.”
Oddsmakers still have the 49ers posted as 2½-point favorites, but that seems a mirage based on how San Francisco has spiraled into the tank in recent weeks.
Kaepernick has been inconsistent and ineffective, the passing game hasn’t challenged defenses with the deep ball, the offensive line has continued to allow Kaepernick to be pressured and sacked and the defense goes into this game for the first time without defensive end Ray McDonald, released this week after a series of off-field incidents.
In addition, the Niners defense also is expected to be without its top two cornerbacks in Tramaine Brock and Chris Culliver and standout rookie inside linebacker Chris Borland. Plus, rookie outside linebacker Aaron Lynch may not play because of a dislocated thumb, and the Niners are down to a hobbling Quinton Dial (battling through a knee injury) at nose tackle following season-ending injuries to Ian Williams and Glenn Dorsey.
That’s not a good situation for San Francisco, which will face a still-dangerous passing attack from the Chargers (No. 12 in the league). Quarterback Philip Rivers is fighting through an injury that forced him to miss a practice this week, and top receiver Keenan Allen (the former Cal standout) is now out for the season. But Rivers has had success vs. the 49ers before, passing for 273 yards and three TDs in their last meeting in 2010.
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A key matchup: 49ers backup linebacker Nick Moody – who struggled in his debut last week vs. Seattle after Borland was hurt – vs. Chargers tight end Antonio Gates. This could be a mismatch that causes the Niners problems all game long.
