49ers Squander 21-point lead, Fall to Chargers

For the first time in his fourth season at the helm of the 49ers, coach Jim Harbaugh found himself coaching a game with little significance with San Francisco being eliminated from playoff contention after last week's loss to Seattle. Other than the dignity of the franchise and being guaranteed another winning season, there wasn't much to be won for the home team. As for San Diego on the other hand, the Chargers were in need of a win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. But from the first play on, it was San Francisco who was in the drivers seat and appeared to be the ones fighting for a playoff berth.

Three plays into the game, 49ers running back Frank Gore was off to the races and would put his team on the board with a 52-yard touchdown run, his longest of the season. San Francisco would have a chance to score on back to back drives to open the game but a fumble inside the 5-yard line by fullback Bruce Miller would put an end to that. Another 49er named Bruce would have better luck, however, as Rookie wide-out Bruce Ellington who entered the game with only one touchdown on the season, scored two in this game alone. Touchdowns by Ellington through the air and on the ground coupled with the first pick-six of safety Antoine Bethea's career helped the 49ers jump out to a 28-7 halftime lead. The 28-point outburst in the first half would match the largest point total for San Francisco since Week 6, and with another full half to be played, Niner fans were hoping it would continue until the final whistle. But just like the their lead, the 49ers offense would evaporate into thin air come the start of the third quarter like its done so often this season.

After San Diego made it a two possession game with a touchdown pass from QB Philip Rivers to his trusty tight-end Antonio Gates, the 49ers would have a 63-yard Vernon Davis touchdown wiped out by a pair of offensive penalties. The Chargers would take advantage on the very next play as 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was sacked and stripped of the ball which rolled into the end zone recovered by San Diego, pulling them within a touchdown. With all the momentum quickly shifting in San Diego's favor, the 49ers were in need of a big play. They would get just that two plays later on their ensuing drive. Though it would take Colin Kaepernick until Week 16 to log his first rushing touchdown of the season, he would make it a memorable one, proving he hasn't lost a beat one bit by setting a franchise record for the longest run by a 49ers QB as he found an opening and bolted for a 90-yard touchdown run. The highlight worthy play would also mark the second longest run from scrimmage in 49ers history.

Unfortunately for the Niners, it would be the last time they'd see the end zone with another full quarter to play as they were shutout in the fourth quarter. Despite intercepting Philip Rivers three times on the evening, they would be no match for the 5-time Pro Bowl QB in the fourth quarter who came through in the clutch. After connecting with Gates in the end zone for the second time of the game, Rivers orchestrated a drive worthy of a Hollywood script. Twice were the Chargers pinned with their backs against the wall late in the fourth quarter facing fourth and long with the San Diego QB converting both times, capped off with a game-tying touchdown pass to Malcolm Floyd with 32 seconds remaining in regulation. Kaepernick and company would do their best to try and give kicker Phil Dawson an opportunity to be the hero but with the clock against them, a 60-yard field goal attempt was the best they could get him which he missed.

With the game headed into sudden death overtime, it was the Niners who won the coin-toss and appeared to once again have fortune on their side. But a 20-yard pickup near midfield would end sour as second-year receiver Quinton Patton fumbled the ball. Several plays later, Chargers kicker Nick Novak would kick his team to victory with a game-winning 40-yard field goal, preserving his team's season and keeping their playoff hopes alive as San Francisco lost their fourth straight. It would be the second largest comeback in Chargers franchise history and just the second time ever that the 49ers blew a game when leading by 21 or more at the half. For Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers, the loss is a punch in the gut to a team that has prided themselves on defense over the last few years but couldn't hang onto a three touchdown lead at Home with numerous chances to win.

The 49ers out-rushed their opponent 355 yards to 98, setting a franchise record for yards rushed in a single-game, but it would be the QB position which made the difference in the end. Philip Rivers finished the game throwing for 354 yards, 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions as his team improved to 9-6 on the year, meanwhile the 49ers fell to 7-8 on a night that QB Colin Kaepernick threw for 114 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another 151 yards and a TD. Running back Frank Gore tallied 158 yards on the ground, needing only 38 yards to reach the 1,000 yard mark for the eighth time in his 10-year career. 

Week 17 Preview: Hosting the 11-4 Arizona Cardinals in the final game of the season for the 49ers, Jim Harbaugh's club will face a banged up Arizona team that has limped its way to the end of the regular season most notably at the Quarterback position. With both Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton sidelined with injuries, the Cardinals are down to their third-string QB -- Ryan Lindley. And considering he's still seeking his first career touchdown pass, I'd like to think the 49ers can end the year on a high note with a win to closeout the season. But I also wouldn't put it past San Francisco's offense to go missing again come the second half which could spell a fifth straight loss if they don't score enough points in the first half. At the end of the day, I'd be very surprised if Frank Gore doesn't finish the game with 1,000 yards on the season and the 49ers aren't at an even .500 record. 


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