Los Angeles Chargers vs 49ers Match Player Stats & Preview
Los Angeles Chargers vs 49ers match player stats from their last regular-season meeting tell a classic tale of two halves. The Chargers led at halftime, then went silent while the 49ers controlled the ball and scored 12 straight points to win.
The teams meet again on Thursday, December 17, 2026, so this page covers two things: a full stat breakdown of that last game (November 13, 2022) and a short preview of the rematch. Every number in the recap comes from the 2022 game, since the 2026 game hasn’t been played.
The Final Score: A Tale of Two Halves
The 49ers beat the Chargers 22-16, with the Chargers scoring 7 and 9 points in the first two quarters and nothing after halftime, while San Francisco scored 3, 7, 3 and 9.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 3 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 22 |
That’s a 16-10 Chargers lead at the break turning into a 12-0 49ers finish. Something clearly changed after halftime, and the box score explains much of it.
The Scorecard: Who Won Each Category?
| Category | Chargers | 49ers | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total net yards | 238 | 387 | 49ers |
| Time of possession | 23:01 | 36:59 | 49ers |
| Penalties | 1 for 5 yards | 5 for 52 yards | Chargers |
| Passing (completions/attempts) | 21/35 | 19/28 | Even |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 0 | 49ers |
San Francisco finished with 387 total net yards to the Chargers’ 238, and held the ball for nearly 37 minutes against 23 for Los Angeles. The Chargers were the more disciplined team, but they spent far too little time on the field.
Quarterback Stat Sheet
| Stat | Justin Herbert (LAC) | Jimmy Garoppolo (SF) |
|---|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 21/35 | 19/28 |
| Passing yards | 196 | 240 |
| Touchdowns | 1 | 0 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 0 |
| Yards per attempt | 5.6 | 8.6 |
| Passer rating | 73.0 | 94.3 |
| Rushing | 5 for 22 yards | 5 for 3 yards, 1 TD |
Herbert completed 21 of 35 passes for 196 yards with touchdown and interception, while Garoppolo went 19 of 28 for 240 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Neither passer put up gaudy numbers, but Garoppolo’s 8.6 yards per attempt versus Herbert’s 5.6 shows who was pushing the ball downfield more effectively.
Garoppolo also scored on a short rushing touchdown, and backup Chase Daniel entered for the Chargers and went 0 for 2.
Three Numbers That Decided It
1. Time of possession: 37 minutes vs 23
When offense holds the ball for 14 more minutes, the other offense gets fewer chances and the defense gets tired. That’s what happened to the Chargers after the break.
2. Total yardage: 387 vs 238
That’s a gap of 149 yards. Even with a first-half lead, the Chargers were being outgained, and the second half simply reflected it.
3. The ground game: 157 yards for the 49ers
San Francisco ran 41 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns, while Los Angeles managed 16 carries for 51 yards. That kind of rushing volume kept the clock moving, which feeds directly into the time-of-possession gap.
Player-by-Player Breakdown
San Francisco 49ers
Elijah Mitchell, RB: Mitchell carried 18 times for 89 yards, leading all rushers.
Christian McCaffrey, RB: McCaffrey rushed 14 times for 38 yards and a touchdown, and added four catches for 39 yards. That’s a rushing score plus a useful receiving day.
Deebo Samuel, WR: Samuel had four carries for 27 yards and two receptions for 24 yards.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR: Aiyuk led all receivers with six catches for 84 yards.
Other targets: Jauan Jennings caught four passes for 40 yards, Ray-Ray McCloud had catch for 33 yards, and George Kittle added for 21.
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert, QB: Threw for 196 yards and a touchdown, but his single interception and two sacks hurt. He also ran five times for 22 yards.
DeAndre Carter, WR: Carter caught four passes for 64 yards and the team’s touchdown, with a long catch of 33 yards.
Austin Ekeler, RB: Ekeler carried six times for 24 yards and led the team with seven catches for 39 yards. The Chargers leaned on him more as a receiver than a runner.
Joshua Palmer, WR: Palmer hauled in three passes for 44 yards.
Other targets: Gerald Everett had two catches for 23 yards, and Tre’ McKitty added three for 21.
What the Box Score Doesn’t Show
- Rosters have changed a lot since 2022. Treat this game as history, not a prediction, because many starters, coaches and schemes are different now.
- Halftime leads are fragile. A 16-10 lead feels safe until the other team holds the ball for most of the second half.
- Discipline didn’t save them. The Chargers committed far fewer penalties, which shows that good habits alone don’t win games when you can’t sustain drives.
- Quarterback numbers can mislead. Garoppolo had no touchdown passes, yet his efficiency and the rushing attack set up the win.
A Quick History Note
This rivalry has produced wilder games than the 2022 one. Back in December 2014, when the franchise was still in San Diego, the Chargers beat the 49ers 38-35 in overtime. That game had far more scoring than the 2022 grind, so a rematch can go either way.
The Rematch: Thursday, Dec. 17, 2026
The teams meet in Week 15, on Thursday Night Football, at the Chargers’ home stadium. The kickoff is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. PT (8:15 p.m. ET). Here’s how each team’s 2026 season looks so far.
| Team | 2026 results so far |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | Lost to Arizona 26-14, lost to Las Vegas 26-14, lost at Buffalo 24-16, lost at Seattle 30-23, lost to Denver 23-17 (0-5, with a game at Kansas City this Sunday) |
| San Francisco 49ers | Beat the Rams 27-7, beat Miami 35-13, beat Arizona 36-30, beat Denver 24-14, beat Seattle 32-29 (5-0) |
San Francisco is off to a perfect start while the Chargers are still searching for their first win, though the standings will look different by mid-December. Check injury reports and the latest standings before kickoff.
A small note: the two teams also met in the 2026 preseason, where the 49ers won 41-17 on August 20. Preseason lineups are heavily rotated, so those numbers say very little about the regular-season rematch.
What to Watch in the Rematch
- Can the Chargers control the clock? Time of possession flipped the 2022 game, so sustained drives matter.
- Can the 49ers’ run game dominate again? 157 rushing yards in 2022 was a major factor.
- Turnovers. A single interception cost the Chargers last time.
- Quarterback pressure. Sacks and hurries often explain “surprising” stat lines.
- Home-field factor. The Chargers will host, which could help if the early lead returns.
How to Read NFL Match Player Stats Like a Pro
- Look at efficiency. Yards per attempt and passer rating tell you more than raw yards.
- Check time of possession. It shows who controlled the game, not just who scored.
- Compare rushing attempts. Teams that run more usually dictate the pace.
- Check scoring by quarter. A late surge can hide a slow start, or the reverse.
- Cross-check sources. Stats can differ slightly between providers, so compare with the official NFL game center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the last Chargers vs 49ers regular-season game?
The 49ers won 22-16 on November 13, 2022.
Who had the best stats in that game?
Jimmy Garoppolo led all passers with 240 yards, Elijah Mitchell led all rushers with 89 yards, and Brandon Aiyuk led all receivers with 84 yards.
When do the Chargers and 49ers play next?
Thursday, December 17, 2026, on Thursday Night Football at the Chargers’ home stadium, according to the current NFL schedule.
Did the Chargers lead in the last game?
Yes. They led 16-10 at halftime but were outscored 12-0 in the second half.
Where can I find full official stats?
NFL.com’s game center, ESPN and Pro Football Reference all publish complete box scores.
Final Take
The lesson from the last meeting is simple: leading at halftime doesn’t matter if the other team controls the ball after it. The 49ers won the second half through possession, rushing volume and efficient passing, while the Chargers couldn’t keep their offense on the field. If those themes repeat on December 17, the Los Angeles Chargers vs 49ers match player stats will look familiar. If they don’t, expect a very different box score.
We’ll update this page with new numbers after the rematch.
Statistics are based on publicly reported box scores from the November 13, 2022 game and the current NFL schedule, and may vary slightly by provider.