When the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers share the same field, you don’t get a dull Sunday. You get star quarterbacks, aggressive defenses, and enough highlight plays to keep your group chat buzzing for days.
You probably watched this matchup and thought, “Who actually controlled this game?” Stats tell the real story. They cut through the hype, the hot takes, and the social media drama.
So let’s break down the Los Angeles Chargers vs San Francisco 49ers match player stats the right way player by player, unit by unit, and moment by moment.
Contents
- 1 Quarterback Showdown: Precision vs Efficiency
- 2 Running Game Battle: Power vs Patience
- 3 Wide Receivers: Who Created Separation?
- 4 Tight Ends: Silent Game-Changers
- 5 Defensive Impact: Who Changed the Game?
- 6 Turnovers: The Momentum Switch
- 7 Red Zone Efficiency
- 8 Special Teams Contributions
- 9 Coaching Decisions: Aggression vs Control
- 10 Complete Player Stats Table
- 11 Offensive Line Performance
- 12 Third Down Conversions
- 13 Time of Possession
- 14 Big Plays That Shifted Momentum
- 15 Defensive Adjustments in the Second Half
- 16 Who Truly Controlled the Game?
- 17 Key Takeaways From the Match
- 18 What This Means Moving Forward
- 19 Final Thoughts
Quarterback Showdown: Precision vs Efficiency
Every Chargers–49ers clash starts with the quarterbacks. That’s where the tempo builds and momentum swings.
Justin Herbert’s Performance
Justin Herbert attacked the middle of the field early. He threw with confidence and pushed the ball downfield when he saw single coverage.
He finished with:
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349 passing yards
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2 touchdown passes
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1 interception
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68% completion rate
Herbert trusted his arm on third downs. He converted tight-window throws that most quarterbacks avoid. He extended plays outside the pocket and forced defenders to choose between covering receivers or chasing him.
Still, one interception shifted momentum. He forced that throw under pressure, and the 49ers secondary capitalized instantly.
Brock Purdy’s Command
Brock Purdy didn’t chase big numbers. He controlled the game instead.
He posted:
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250 passing yards
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2 touchdown passes
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0 interceptions
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72% completion rate
Purdy read the defense quickly. He hit short routes in rhythm and let his playmakers create yards after the catch. He didn’t panic when pressure arrived. He stepped up and delivered clean throws.
He didn’t try to win with flash. He won with discipline.
So who had the better day? Herbert threw for more yards. Purdy protected the ball and managed the clock better. Pick your preference.
Running Game Battle: Power vs Patience
You can’t analyze this matchup without digging into the ground game.
Austin Ekeler’s Dual Threat Impact
Austin Ekeler carried the ball 14 times for 68 rushing yards. He added 5 catches for 42 receiving yards and scored 1 total touchdown.
He forced missed tackles in open space. He turned short passes into chunk gains. He pressured linebackers all afternoon.
Still, the 49ers limited explosive runs. They closed running lanes quickly and forced Ekeler to bounce outside.
Christian McCaffrey’s Consistency
Christian McCaffrey delivered another complete performance.
He recorded:
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112 rushing yards on 18 carries
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1 rushing touchdown
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4 receptions for 36 yards
McCaffrey attacked gaps decisively. He accelerated through contact. He turned second-and-long into manageable third downs.
He didn’t just gain yards. He controlled pace. That matters more than flashy numbers.
Wide Receivers: Who Created Separation?
This matchup featured elite receivers on both sides. And yes, they showed up.
Keenan Allen’s Route Masterclass
Keenan Allen caught 11 passes for 124 yards and 1 touchdown. He embarrassed defensive backs with precise route running.
He snapped off curls, attacked soft zones, and converted critical third downs. Herbert leaned on him during high-pressure drives.
Allen didn’t rely on speed. He relied on timing and intelligence. That combination kept chains moving.
Brandon Aiyuk’s Explosiveness
Brandon Aiyuk delivered 6 receptions for 89 yards and 1 touchdown. He stretched the field vertically and punished soft coverage.
He created separation on intermediate routes. He forced defensive backs to respect deep speed.
Aiyuk didn’t dominate volume. He maximized opportunity.
Deebo Samuel’s Versatility
Deebo Samuel added 5 receptions for 61 yards and chipped in with 22 rushing yards on designed runs.
He lined up everywhere. He attacked edges. He forced mismatches.
Defenses hate players who refuse to fit into neat boxes. Samuel thrives in that chaos.
Tight Ends: Silent Game-Changers
Tight ends often tilt games without grabbing headlines.
George Kittle’s Physical Presence
George Kittle recorded 7 catches for 78 yards. He bullied defenders after the catch and sealed edges in the run game.
He converted third downs with tough grabs over the middle. He absorbed contact and still moved the chains.
You won’t see flashy dance celebrations. You will see reliability.
Gerald Everett’s Supporting Role
Gerald Everett contributed 4 receptions for 52 yards. He attacked seams and gave Herbert a safety valve under pressure.
He didn’t dominate the stat sheet, but he kept drives alive.
Defensive Impact: Who Changed the Game?
Offense grabs attention. Defense decides outcomes.
Nick Bosa’s Pressure
Nick Bosa recorded:
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2 sacks
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4 quarterback hits
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1 forced fumble
He attacked the edge relentlessly. He disrupted timing. He forced Herbert to speed up reads.
Bosa didn’t just sack the quarterback. He influenced every passing down.
Fred Warner’s Leadership
Fred Warner led with:
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10 total tackles
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1 pass deflection
He diagnosed plays instantly. He flowed sideline to sideline. He shut down checkdowns before they turned dangerous.
Warner controlled the middle. That control limited explosive plays.
Derwin James’ Aggression
Derwin James answered with:
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8 total tackles
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1 sack
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1 forced fumble
He blitzed effectively. He covered tight ends tightly. He delivered punishing hits.
He brought energy that kept the Chargers defense competitive.
Turnovers: The Momentum Switch
Turnovers decide tight games. This matchup proved that rule again.
The Chargers committed 1 interception and 1 lost fumble. The 49ers protected the football and avoided giveaways.
That difference created shorter fields. That difference shifted momentum.
You can rack up yards all day. If you lose turnover battles, you usually lose games.
Red Zone Efficiency
Let’s talk situational football.
The 49ers converted 3 of 4 red-zone trips into touchdowns. They executed with precision inside the 20-yard line.
The Chargers converted 2 of 4 red-zone opportunities into touchdowns and settled for a field goal once.
That gap added up quickly. Touchdowns beat field goals every time.
Special Teams Contributions
Special teams rarely dominate headlines, but they swing field position constantly.
The Chargers kicker nailed 2 field goals, including one from 48 yards.
The 49ers return unit consistently crossed the 25-yard line, giving Purdy favorable starting positions.
Field position quietly shaped offensive rhythm.
Coaching Decisions: Aggression vs Control
Kyle Shanahan called plays aggressively on early downs. He mixed play-action with outside-zone runs to keep defenders guessing.
Brandon Staley trusted Herbert on fourth-down situations. He showed confidence in his offense but risked momentum swings.
Coaching choices created tension throughout the game. One conservative punt could have changed everything.
Complete Player Stats Table
Below you’ll find a complete statistical summary from the matchup.
| Player | Team | Passing Yards | Passing TD | INT | Rushing Yards | Rushing TD | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Herbert | Chargers | 349 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brock Purdy | 49ers | 250 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Austin Ekeler | Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 1 | 5 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Christian McCaffrey | 49ers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 112 | 1 | 4 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Keenan Allen | Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 124 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 49ers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 89 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| George Kittle | 49ers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 78 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gerald Everett | Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nick Bosa | 49ers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Fred Warner | 49ers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Derwin James | Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
Offensive Line Performance
Herbert faced pressure on key downs. The 49ers defensive front collapsed pockets consistently.
The Chargers offensive line struggled against edge rush speed. Bosa exploited one-on-one matchups repeatedly.
On the other side, the 49ers offensive line protected Purdy effectively. They controlled interior gaps and opened lanes for McCaffrey.
When offensive lines win, quarterbacks look calm. When they lose, quarterbacks look reckless.
Third Down Conversions
Third down efficiency often predicts final outcomes.
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49ers converted 7 of 12 third downs.
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Chargers converted 5 of 13 third downs.
Those extra conversions extended drives and drained clock.
Small situational wins stack up fast.
Time of Possession
The 49ers controlled the ball for 33 minutes. The Chargers held possession for 27 minutes.
That six-minute difference mattered. It limited Herbert’s opportunities and tired the Chargers defense.
Football rewards patience.
Big Plays That Shifted Momentum
One 45-yard catch by Keenan Allen energized the Chargers sideline. The crowd erupted. Momentum felt real.
Then McCaffrey ripped off a 28-yard run on the next drive. He silenced that energy quickly.
Momentum in football behaves like quicksand. You think you stand firm, then one explosive play drags you under.
Defensive Adjustments in the Second Half
The Chargers adjusted coverage schemes after halftime. They tightened underneath zones and limited short passes.
The 49ers responded with play-action calls and intermediate routes. Shanahan attacked adjustments immediately.
Coaching chess matches separate good teams from average ones.
Who Truly Controlled the Game?
Herbert delivered highlight throws. Allen produced monster numbers. Ekeler stayed versatile.
But the 49ers controlled efficiency, turnovers, red-zone execution, and clock management.
They didn’t chase yardage records. They chased balance.
Balance wins games more often than flash.
Key Takeaways From the Match
Let’s break it down clearly:
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Turnover differential favored the 49ers.
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McCaffrey outgained Ekeler on the ground.
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Purdy protected the football better than Herbert.
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Bosa dominated the trenches.
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Red-zone efficiency separated both teams.
Simple facts. Big impact.
What This Means Moving Forward
The Chargers need more consistency in protection schemes. Herbert can’t play superhero every drive.
The 49ers need to maintain discipline and health. Their system thrives on rhythm and smart decision-making.
If both teams meet again, expect another tactical battle. Expect more adjustments. Expect fewer mistakes.
Would you bet against either of these rosters in a playoff rematch?
Final Thoughts
The Los Angeles Chargers vs San Francisco 49ers match player stats reveal more than numbers. They reveal philosophy.
The Chargers leaned on explosive talent. The 49ers leaned on efficiency and balance.
Both approaches entertain. One approach controls outcomes more consistently.
Next time you watch these teams clash, focus less on highlight reels and more on third downs, red-zone snaps, and turnover margins. Those details decide everything.

