In a California showdown with both teams featuring promising young former North Dakota State stars, this game has so many storylines to watch for at the quarterback position. It’s time to continue our NFL odds series and make a 49ers-Chargers prediction and pick.
The 49ers have a battle for their starting QB job between Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. Their other quarterback who threw for 93 yards last week, Josh Rosen, was waived earlier this week though- I thought he had a chance to redeem himself after a difficult start to his NFL career, but he might have an opportunity to catch on with another organization.
Nonetheless, this has got to be one of the more intriguing preseason positional battles in all of football. In Week 1, both Lance and Rosen received a similar amount of snaps, with Lance ending up with a significantly higher QB rating for the game. On the Chargers said, their starter is set in Justin Herbert. But both veteran Chase Daniel and 2019 draft pick Easton Stick played well in last week, so it will be interesting to see whether Stick can triumph over the more-experience Daniel for the right to backup Herbert.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the 49ers-Chargers odds for Sunday's matchup.
NFL Odds: 49ers-Chargers Odds
San Francisco 49ers -5 1/2 (-110)
Los Angeles Chargers +5 1/2 (-110)
Over 34 points (-110)
Under 34 points (-110)
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Why The 49ers Could Cover
The rookie Trey Lance was all the talk last week in the 49ers 19-16 loss to Kansas City. Although Lance was sacked four times, he also threw for 128 yards and a touchdown. As the number three overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the 49ers clearly believe Lance is their quarterback of the future. Whether that happens now, later this season, or next year though is currently a huge question mark. That is because the 49ers other star quarterback is Jimmy Garoppolo, who is less than two years removed from leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance. Jimmy G got just three passing attempts last week, but his role will likely increase in this game given that Rosen is now off the roster. But even if Jimmy G plays a few more drives than last time, I still think Lance remains the featured quarterback for most of this game. If his Week 1 performance is any indication, Lanec should have no problem putting up stellar numbers again this week. The 49ers are expected to rebound this year after a hangover year in 2020. Lance shines again and the 49ers can win this game with ease.
Why The Chargers Could Cover
Chase Daniel, the career mostly-backup QB, as now with his sixth NFL team. He signed with the Chargers in 2021 after spending one season with the Lions. He'll serve as a great mentor to the young Justin Herbert, as Daniel has been around a plethora of NFL quarterbacks and has enough professional experience under his belt to help out one of the league's emerging stars. At this point in his career, Daniel is what he is. He's a decent backup QB who can step in for a few snaps here and there when needed, but is no more than a sub-par NFL QB at best.
But the Chargers other option for backup QB is Easton Stick, who led North Dakota on one of the greatest runs in college football history during his time in Bismarck. Stick went 49-3 at NDSU before being drafted by the Bolts in the fifth round of the 2019 draft. Daniel has the edge here over Stick because of the far gap in experience between the two QBs, but that doesn't mean Stick can't still shine in the preseason. Last week, Stick completed all seven of his pass attempts, throwing for 63 yards. He also was sacked twice. Since Daniel's role is rather set already, I think Stick will get increased playing time against the 49ers and show the coaching staff what is he is capable of, building off his Week 1 appearance. He won't be perfect on completion attempts again, but he has enough potential to hold his own and keep the Chargers within six points.
Final 49ers-Chargers Prediction & Pick
I know the 49ers quarterback situation is much more ideal than the Chargers in this matchup. But 5 1/2 points is a lot for a preseason game. Given that both teams kept their Week 1 games close, I think this game also a low scoring contest and the 49ers win by a few points. That being said, the Chargers will cover the spread, and Stick will remind us why he was so good at NDSU.
FINAL 49ers-Chargers PICK: Chargers + 5 1/2 (-110)
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