It’s just a short flight north for the Los Angeles Chargers for Thursday as they conclude their first NFL preseason back as one of Los Angeles’ NFL teams with a trip to San Francisco. Both bring 1-2 records into the final dress rehearsal where starters will play very little if at all. The Chargers are underdogs for this week’s Preseason game against the 49ers. Here’s why.
Meanwhile, 49ers left tackle Joe Staley got nicked up in Sunday’s game but is expected to be ready for the 49ers’ regular-season opener. The 49ers have been sure to manage Staley throughout camp, granting him the occasional veteran’s day off to make sure he gets a little extra rest when he can. It’;s also a safe bet that Staley won’t appear in the preseason finale. John Theus replaced Staley on Sunday and played 50 snaps, the most of any offensive player against Minnesota. Theus is in a battle for a swing tackle spot with Garry Gilliam.
LA Chargers at San Francisco NFL Preseason Lines & Betting Pick
When: Thursday, Aug. 31, 10 PM ET Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara TV: Local only (NFL Network replay) Radio: KFWB 980 AM (LA) / KSAN 107.7 FM “The Bone” (San Francisco) Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Preseason Lines: 49ers -3 (38)Tuesday turn-up ✅@49ers on the horizon… Full gallery ➡️: https://t.co/OuA76Hzy18 pic.twitter.com/8o25ddtHbX
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) August 29, 2017
Weather Forecast
- Clear: 24°C/76°F
- Humidity: 51%
- Precipitation: 0%
- Wind: 5 mph WNW
- Cloud Cover: 0%
- Type of Stadium: Open
NFL Preseason Week 3 Results
The Bolts won at the Rams 21-19 last week. Philip Rivers capped the game’s opening drive with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin and Joey Bosa’s strip sack of Goff led to Melvin Ingram’s 76-yard fumble return for a score. The Chargers raced to a 21-0 first-quarter lead. Melvin Gordon rushed eight times for 36 yards and a touchdown. Gordon was bowling over the Rams’ undermanned defensive line, running with balance and power. Keenan Allen caught 5-of-5 targets for 45 yards. The Chargers held out star tight end Antonio Gates. San Francisco lost 32-31 at Minnesota on Sunday. After sputtering through the first two preseason games, Brian Hoyer passed for 176 yards and two touchdowns for the 49ers in the first half. Hoyer found Marquise Goodwin wide open for a 46-yard scoring strike and Carlos Hyde out of the backfield for a 24-yard touchdown connection. Raheem Mostert had an 87-yard score off a screen pass from C.J. Beathard on third-and- 22 in the third quarter and a short touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Pierre Garcon caught 6-of- 7 targets for 64 yards.Seahawks Are Betting Favorites vs. Raiders in NFL Preseason Week 4
Secondary Competition
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn has said the competition in the secondary will be front and center Thursday night as jobs are on the line at both cornerback and safety. Meanwhile, look for Korey Toomer and Nick Dzubnar to get a closer look as the team looks to settle on a replacement for Denzel Perryman, who will miss time early in the regular season with an ankle injury. Through three preseason games, the Chargers defense has forced five turnovers, taking two of those miscues in for scores. Creating turnovers has always been a focal point for new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. During his time serving as defensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks, Bradley’s defenses finished in the top five of the league in turnovers forced in 2011 and 2012.49ers Make Trade
San Francisco this week traded tight end Vance McDonald and a fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a fourth-round pick. The 49ers initially attempted to trade McDonald during the NFL draft but were unable to find a match. George Kittle, a fifth-round pick, is in position to play a lot as a rookie following the trade of McDonald. Kittle worked with the starting offense in the spring and continued throughout the preseason when he wasn’t dealing with minor injury issues. Kittle is the ideal fit to play the “move” tight end in coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Meanwhile, 49ers left tackle Joe Staley got nicked up in Sunday’s game but is expected to be ready for the 49ers’ regular-season opener. The 49ers have been sure to manage Staley throughout camp, granting him the occasional veteran’s day off to make sure he gets a little extra rest when he can. It’;s also a safe bet that Staley won’t appear in the preseason finale. John Theus replaced Staley on Sunday and played 50 snaps, the most of any offensive player against Minnesota. Theus is in a battle for a swing tackle spot with Garry Gilliam.
Team Series History
The Chargers have faced the 49ers more than any other team in the preseason, with San Francisco owning a 25-20 advantage. The all-time series is tied 7-7 in the regular season. Rivers has faced the 49ers three times in his career and is a perfect 3-0. In the three contests, Rivers is 81 of 118 for 963 yards and nine touchdowns to only three interceptions. The 49ers rookie Beathard, the grandson of former Chargers GM and current finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Bobby Beathard, will be one of four QBs under center for the home team.- Total Meetings: 14
- First Meeting: September 17th, 1972. Candlestick Park. San Francisco, California
- Last Meeting: December 20th, 2014. Levi’s Stadium. Santa Clara, California
- All-Time Series: Tied 7-7-0
- Largest Margin of Victory: San Francisco 48-10 (1988)
- Longest Win Streak: San Francisco 6 (1988-2000)
- Current Win Streak: Los Angeles (2002-2014)
Latest NFL Preseason Betting Trends
- Chargers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games.
- Chargers are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games.
- 49ers are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games overall.
- 49ers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games.
- San Francisco is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.
