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Final Score
San Diego Chargers 0-7-14-14-3 — 38
San Francisco 49ers 14-14-7-0-0 — 35
The San Diego Chargers came back from a 21-point deficit against the San Francisco 49ers in an overtime shootout. The 10 touchdowns in the games came from quarterback passes, rushing carries and interceptions.
The game, which ended in overtime, was won by a 40-yard Nick Novak field goal.
Colin Kaepernick finished the game with one touchdown and 114 yards passing and 151 yards rushing, 90 of which came on a touchdown run. Frank Gore added 158 yards and a touchdown. Ellington added two more touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing, on 8 receiving yards and 12 rushing yards. Antoine Bethea scored his first career pick-six.
Philip Rivers threw for 356 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Antonio Gates had 92 yards and two touchdown receptions. Eddie Royal caught nine passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. Branden Oliver led the team’s rushing with 53 yards on 13 carries. Dontrelle Inman had the first seven receptions of his career for 79 yards.
The game also had a total of 17 penalties for 130 yards.
With the win, the Chargers keep their playoff hopes alive, but still need help from other teams to make it in.
Gore Got the 49ers on the Board First
Frank Gore scored on a 52-yard run, his longest in the last four seasons, on the opening drive to put San Francisco up early.
The 49ers Fumbled in the Red Zone
Bruce Miller’s fumble was recovered by Corey Liuget deep in the 49er red zone.
Ellington Scored for the 49ers
Bruce Ellington scored to make it a two-possession game early in the second. The pass came from eight yards out. The drive was started by Perrish Cox itercepting Philip Rivers.
The 49ers Scored a Pick-Six
Rivers threw his second interception of the night, this time to Antoine Bethea. Bethea returned it for a touchdown to put San Francisco up by three scores. It was Bethea’s first-career touchdown off of an interception.
Royal Put the Chargers on the Board
Eddie Royal caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Rivers for San Diego’s first score of the night.
The 49ers Scored Another in the First Half
Ellington scored his second of the night on a one-yard run. The drive was kept alive by two third-down penalties against San Diego in the red zone.
San Francisco Looked Like the Playoff Contender
The 49ers look like a team that should be in a position to make the playoffs, not the Chargers. San Diego can’t get things going on offense or defense, and are trowing the game away on penalties. If they don’t make a Washington-like change in the second half, they’ll be throwing away their playoff hopes, too.
Gates Scored for San Diego
The Chargers cut into the 49er’s lead with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Rivers to Antonio Gates. The drive was kept alive by a fourth-down conversion.
The Chargers Scored on a Kaepernick Fumble
San Diego recovered a Kaepernick fumble in the end zone, cutting the 49ers’ lead to one score. Liuget was credited with the touchdown.
Kaepernick Used His Legs to Increase Lead
Kaepernick ran for a 90-yard touchdown to get the two-touchdown lead back for San Francisco. This is his first rushing touchdown of the season and the longest of his career.
Gates Scored Again
Gates scored his second touchdown of the night on a 29-yard reception from Rivers to pull the Chargers within one score.
Rivers to Gates again! Philip Rivers finds Antonio Gates for the 2nd time tonight, 49ers lead Chargers, 35-28. http://t.co/3jyu2AoN0p
Chargers Tie the Game
San Diego tied the game with 30 seconds left on an 11-yard touchdown to Malcom Floyd.
Sixty Minutes Aren’t Enough
Tied at 35 at the end of regulation, the teams will head to overtime.
Patton Fumbled Away San Francisco’s First OT Possession
Eric Weddle forced Quinton Patton to fumble on the 49ers first possession of overtime, making the game sudden death.
FUMBLE!!
Chargers recover and just need a FG to win.
Novak Won it in Overtime
Nick Novak’s 40-yard field goal won the game for the Chargers, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
The San Francisco 49ers (7-7) have been eliminated from playoff contention. The San Diego Chargers (8-6) need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The 49ers’ season has been plagued by turmoil between their head coach and general manager, as well as poor quarterback performance. While Jim Harbaugh’s next job is still unknown, there’s no doubt he won’t be on the San Francisco sideline next season.
The Chargers, on the other hand, are looking to make the playoffs for the second straight season. While they need a lot of help from other teams to work their way in, it all starts with a road win on Saturday.
Keep it here for live updates and highlights throughout the game.
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Chargers vs. 49ers: Score, Stats & Highlights