Chargers blanked in the second half in loss to physical 49ers
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) runs against Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr., middle, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is hit by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw, left, and cornerback Jimmie Ward (1) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. Greenlaw was disqualified after the play. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler, left, runs against San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DeAndre Carter, right, is tackled by San Francisco 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (31) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DeAndre Carter, left, runs against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, left, is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers safety Nasir Adderley (24) and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (69) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DeAndre Carter (1) runs against San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs against Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kyle Van Noy (8) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III (3) runs against Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Troy Reeder (42) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) tackles Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is hit by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (1) and linebacker Fred Warner (54) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan watches from the sideline during the first half of his team’s NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is hit by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. Greenlaw was disqualified after the play. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Chase Daniel, right, is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Jordan Willis (75) and defensive end Nick Bosa during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs against Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Air Force band members walk on the field during an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Chargers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) lines up against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (1) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs against Los Angeles Chargers safety Alohi Gilman (32) and safety Derwin James Jr. (3) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia (93) is helped off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) reacts after Christian McCaffrey scored a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) runs against Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, bottom, scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, middle, is tackled between Los Angeles Chargers safety Alohi Gilman, left, and cornerback Michael Davis (43) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs against Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (9) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) celebrates after making a tackle against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, right, tackles Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DeAndre Carter (1) for a loss during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (51) celebrate during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Christian Covington (95) is helped off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
SANTA CLARA — The Chargers dropped a bruising 22-16 decision to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, a game in which they were prepared to take a punch or two or three or four in the mouth. But that knowledge of what was likely to come didn’t make it any easier on the field.
Christian McCaffrey’s two-yard run with 7:54 left in the game gave San Francisco its first lead of the game. Robbie Gould’s extra point sailed wide right, however, and the 49ers led 19-16, after a punishing 14-play, 77-yard drive that chewed up nearly seven minutes in the fourth quarter.
Gould then kicked a 20-yard field goal to make it 22-16 with 58 seconds remaining.
The 49ers (5-4) held the Chargers (5-4) scoreless in the second half.
The Chargers ended their four-game streak of trailing by double digits by the end of the first quarter, taking a 7-3 lead over the 49ers on the strength of a seven-play, 75-yard drive that produced a Justin Herbert-to-DeAndre Carter 32-yard scoring pass only 3:25 into the game.
Two gaffes by the 49ers could have helped the Chargers build a larger halftime lead than their modest 16-10 advantage. A fumble led to Cameron Dicker’s 47-yard field goal and a deflected punt later set up Dicker’s 25-yard field goal that gave the Chargers a 13-3 lead in the second quarter.
Dicker then kicked a 40-yard field goal on the final play of the first half as a promising drive in the closing minutes stalled after Justin Herbert took a shot to the head from San Francisco’s Dre Greenlaw at the end of a scramble for a first down. Greenlaw was penalized and ejected.
Herbert was sidelined for the final three plays of the half while he was checked out for a possible head injury. Chase Daniel replaced him and threw two incomplete passes and was sacked for a one-yard loss, setting up the third of Dicker’s three field goals in the second quarter.
Chargers’ depth put to the test with slew of injuries
A 16-10 lead was all well and good for the Chargers, but there was a sense of what could have been if they had scored touchdowns instead of settling for Dicker’s three field goals. The Chargers limited the 49ers to Gould’s 20-yard field goal and Jimmy Garoppolo’s 1-yard run.
Herbert was cleared to return to the game to start the second half. He began the game playing behind a patchwork offensive line, with rookie Jamaree Salyer continuing to start in place of an injured Rashawn Slater at left tackle and Foster Sarell filling in for injured right tackle Trey Pipkins III.
The Chargers’ defensive line wasn’t in great shape either, after Austin Johnson suffered a season-ending knee injury in last week’s victory over the Atlanta Falcons and Otito Obgonnia hurting his knee in the first half and needed a ride on the cart to get to the locker room.
