SANTA CLARA — This is the live blog for the first quarter of the 49ers’ Week 16 game against the Chargers. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box.
5:21 The Chargers call tails. It’s tails, and they defer.
5:27 Bruce Ellington returns the kickoff 21 yards to the Niners’ 24.
5:29 Frank Gore follows Mike Iupati through the stongside C gap on a Power Bob Trey O run. Gore breaks four tackles, stiff arms Eric Weddle and scores a 52-yard touchdown. Gore showed up. 7-0 Niners.
5:33 Chris Davis returns the kickoff to the Chargers’ 23.
5:34 Perrish Cox almost intercepts Philip Rivers’ pass on third-and-five, and the Chargers go three-and-out. Ellington returns the punt to the Niners’ 29.
5:43 Gore gains 16 yards on another Power Bob Trey O run to the right. Next play, Greg Roman calls an inside handoff for Bruce Miller who fumbles near the goal line. Anquan Boldin grabs the ball and fumbles it again, and the Chargers recover at their 5-yard line.
5:49 The Chargers convert back-to-back third-and-short with runs up the middle. The Niners’ run defense ain’t so hot without Chris Borland.
5:53 The Niners put eight defenders in the box on first-and-10 from the Chargers’ 40. So Philip Rivers throws deep and the pass hits Perrish Cox between the numbers. Superb accuracy. Niners’ ball at their 33.
6:00 Kaepernick play fakes and hits a wide open Anquan Boldin in the end zone. Then Boldin throws the defensive back into a photographer, then Boldin punches the defensive back, then Boldin headbutts him. Joe Staley is flagged for holding, negating the touchdown.
6:02 Eric Reid has a head injury and his return is questionable. Not the first head injury of his career.
6:04 Kaepernick checks down to Alfonso Smith who gains four yards on first-and-20 from the 31, and the first quarter ends.
Gore!!!!
Frank F’n Gore!!
Great call so far Mid!!! Gore beastin off the bat
Frankie “legs are gone” Gore.
Gore showed up
—————-
Gore and Justin Smith are the only two players that I can say without any doubt 100% show up every single week.
Anyone hear phillip rivers talking smack about the 49ers and kap on 95.7 in the am show? Not sure if it was him or just a bit but there you go Phillipe, gore ran down your defense’s throat.
Nice block by patton
That should help Gore’s yards after contact stat.
And why wouldn’t they want Frank back?
Que the 49ers blow out and the inevitable torrent of endless questions about where has this team been. Is it because the players are auditioning for their next head coach?
Yep. Makes me sick too
Great hustle from Patton on that gore run too
This team is playing for pride and their coach.
Should have done that weeks ago.
Uh huh, so what were they playing for during those 7 losses? Why didn’t they play for pride in their coach then?
Don’t know but they’re Ballin tonight
SD is playing for something and has a decent defense. I’d like to see Kap play well this game
We NEED a returner. Trade awY for Jackson. Duel threat.
Where has this been all year? Is Roman auditioning?
is it me or does the stadium crowd suck. Must of had too much white wine
Have from day 1. It’s NOT 49er football in that stadium. It’s look at me I’m at a new stadium
No he wasn’t leading.. It was a horrible throw and panic.
Had he lead him, he would have been rocked.
Yep. But he was trying anyways.
Nice touch on that throw, no hold and that’s 6
Excuse me. A big play not 6
I think we’ll be all right as long as Kap doesn’t throw…….
Gore is done. .
Gore injured???
No, I was being sarcastic
And that is how this season has gone. Geez
Let me guess that fumble was Kaps fault. Lol
Yeah he put too much in the handoff.
Perfect hit…dang
Crud
this is why we are out of the playoffs
Stupid play call by Roman there
Why? He would have scored.
Never seen it before. Why is he changing things? Lol
Why would you make that statement? Roman didn’t cause the fumble and it looked as though he was going to score. That’s a GC statement if I ever heard one
I think Jack is being sarcastic
Uhg.. Borland makes that tackle
Exactly!
Dang, moody
It is the 1st quarter. problems don’t come until the second half
Lol sad but true
Both offensive lines are getting good push tonight.
That’s why I’m not a fan of wilhoite starting
There ya go cox
No bite
Cox
WTG Cox.
Excellent play by Cox!
Now let’s get a T.D. drive.
Cox is playing for a contract.
What the hell was that Joe Montana commercial??
Sign Cox if possible and Brock plays like last year next year with Johnson secondary will be solid.
You get Gore thru the line and he just kills it.
Baalke would be a fool to not bring back Gore at the right price.
Until we know that Hyde can be a front line RB and we have depth behind him, there’s no reason to let Frank go. He can still do it, either as the #1 or #2 RB
The right price. ……is key
Certainly no more than $3 million.
Seems to me the few games that Davis has played the line has been more solid. Is this true?
Yep
Nice play by Kaep, but holding, dammit.
Dang
Kaepernick feels the pressure and makes a small adjustment by stepping up, rather then taking off, while keeping his vision down field and then makes a beautiful throw to a wide open receiver.
Can he only do that when the game doesn’t matter because that was gorgeous but it hasn’t existed since the Dallas game.
Niners running game the last 2 weeks has been very good. Gore and Hyde going down last week in the 2nd half really hurts.
Yeah. I still think we would have won the Seattle game if Gore and Hyde had made it through.
Makes you wonder where was the running game all yeat.
Gore needs 196 yards to reach 1000 for the season. I think he can do it.
Wow! Where was this offense all season.
?