Niner Noise
FanSided

Chargers vs. 49ers: The good, bad & ugly from Niners’ 2018 preseason finale

By Peter Panacy

Uchenna Nwosu #58 of the Los Angeles Chargers sacks C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Uchenna Nwosu #58 of the Los Angeles Chargers sacks C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 30: Detrez Newsome #38 of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by Antone Exum #38 of the San Francisco 49ers during their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 30: Detrez Newsome #38 of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by Antone Exum #38 of the San Francisco 49ers during their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The Ugly

Well, the game play was sure ugly, wasn’t it. But that’s to be expected out of most preseason Week 4 games.

The 49ers lost a couple of turnovers during the game, including one fumble by running back Jeremy McNichols, and the Chargers managed to put up points off both turnovers. So if you’re keeping score (you really shouldn’t be), you can say that was a deciding factor.

And it won’t help McNichols’ already-slim chances of making the roster either.

More from Niner Noise

Special Teams Coverage

Again, it’s a preseason narrative. The vast majority of 49ers players on the field for Los Angeles’ final kick return won’t be around next month.

Still, giving up a 63-yard kickoff return to Chargers return man Detrez Newsome, which ultimately led to L.A. being in game-winning field-goal position late in the fourth quarter.

That won’t help any of those players on the coverage unit vying for a spot on the roster or practice squad.

Overall Game Play

Gosh, it’s just tough to watch these kinds of exhibition bouts. Unless your a direct fan or family member of one of the players all but certain to get cut, there’s really no point to diving into the details behind how ugly the game looked.

That’s OK, though. The preseason is now over.

San Francisco, as is the case with the remaining 31 teams, will have until 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 1 to trim rosters from 90 players down to 53.

Next. Chargers vs. 49ers: Preseason Week 4 grades & analysis. dark

The 49ers then open up their 2018 regular-season campaign on the road against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 9.