SANTA CLARA — This is the live blog for the fourth quarter of the 49ers’ Week 16 game against the Chargers. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box.
8:04 Joe Staley is flagged for illegal formation on third down. That’s the third illegal formation penalty called on the Niners.
8:05 Eddie Royal makes a fair catch at the Chargers’ 11-yard line.
8:05 Chris Culliver is flagged for pass interference on the first play of the drive. 12-yard penalty.
8:06 Next play, Dontae Johnson gives up an 18-yard catch to Royal.
8:07 Rivers throws pass No.4 to the Niners’ defense but Michael Wilhoite drops it. Third-and-9 from the Chargers’ 42.
8:08 Donald Brown beats Nick Moody down the left sideline but drops the first-down pass. The Chargers’ punt is a touchback.
8:14 The Niners use a timeout to avoid a delay penalty on first-and-10 from the 49.
8:15 Brandon Lloyd has a groin injury and is questionable. Bubba Ventrone has a groin injury and is out. And Bruce Ellington has a hamstring injury and is out. He was fun while he lasted.
8:18 Kaepernick avoids a sack and scrambles for three yards on third-and-9 from midfield. Kaepernick still hasn’t thrown a TD pass in the fourth quarter this season.
8:19 Royal makes a fair catch at the Chargers’ 15.
8:24 Dontae Johnson gives up a 21-yard catch to Antonio Gates on third-and-4.
8:29 No one covers Gates, and Rivers hits him for a 21-yard touchdown pass. 35-28 Niners with 5:15 left.
8:32 Cox returns the kickoff to the Chargers’ 45. Funny, I expected the Chargers to show up.
8:36 Roman calls a QB sweep to the left on third-and-5. Kaepernick loses a yard and runs out of bounds, stopping the clock. Good gracious. And he STILL hasn’t thrown a TD pass in the fourth quarter this season.
8:38 Andy Lee punts the ball into the end zone for a touchback.
8:39 Corey Lemonier is flagged for offside on the first play of the drive. Why is Corey Lemonier on the field?
8:40 Cox gives up a 10-yard catch to Floyd on second-and-5.
8::41 Next play, Rivers dumps the ball to Ronnie Brown. Dontae Johnson misses a tackle and Brown gains 9 yards. Next play, he runs behind his left guard for 11 yards. First-and-10 at the Niners’ 45 after the two-minute warning.
8:42 Who is that man wearing No.99? Can’t be Aldon Smith. Must be an impostor.
8:45 Wilhoite gives up an 8-yard catch to Gates on second-and-10. Aldon Smith is injured. Now he’s on the bench.
8:46 Rivers scrambles, Skuta hits him from behind and forces a fumble. The Chargers recover. Loss of five yards. Fourth-and-7.
8:48 Bethea gives up a 17-yard catch to Royal on fourth down. The officials are reviewing the catch.
8:49 They confirm their ruling.
8:52 On fourth-and-10, Cox gives up a 17-yard catch to Inman. INMAN. First-and-goal from the 9.
8:53 Dial sacks Rivers for a loss of 2 on first-and-goal. The Chargers take their third timeout.
8:55 Rivers goes after the Niners’ weakest link — Marcus Cromarte — on second-and-goal. Easy touchdown. Tie game. 29 seconds left.
8:56 Yes, the defense was terrible. But the Niners had 28 points at halftime, scored just 7 in the second half and 0 in the fourth quarter. Once again, Roman got out-adjusted at halftime. The offense has to put the game away when it has a chance.
8:59 Aldon Smith has a head injury and his return is questionable.
8:59 Kaepernick scrambles for 20 yards on third-and-4 from the 34. Nine seconds left. First-and-10 at the 46.
9:01 Kaepernick completes a 4-yard pass to Boldin. Here’s Phil Dawson to attempt a 60-yard field goal.
9:01 He misses wide right and way short. Overtime.
I want 200 from Gore and a 4th q TD from anyone!!!!!
28 offensive points has nothing to do with that dimwit Roman…It’s “fools gold” fellas.
The second half yes, but I thought his play calling was good in the first half. Can’t wait for him to be gone.
Another penalty. Neutral zone. Yep this o-line is awesome.
It’s great that we scored in the 3rd quarter, but I’d like to see a sustained drive resulting in a TD in the 4th quarter.
Dial up those blitzes Fangio.
Where is the pass rush?
We’re getting pressure, but we just can’t seem to sack him.
Need a sack.
Dahl is hilarious!!!
Blaine!!!
KAepernick is feeling the heat, looking over his shoulder!!’
I want a pick 6 from Dahl. I’ll wait……………….
You must have infinite patience.
Apparently saving face is what motivates many of the 49ers (not playing in the playoffs or winning Super Bowls).
Well..the season is over..What are they supposed to do josh? All they can do is try to end the season on a high note
He couldn’t see the play clock he mentioned the goal post
When you don’t know of your coach is returning. It has a huge affect on players….. ‘Dan Fouts.
I’m sorry, I just can’t abide by a QB that has to have the sideline call the timeout to avoid a delay of penalty. I understand that things happen, but he should be aware enough to at least call the TO himself. Is it the red bull syndrome I mentioned a day or so ago?
It’s the kAepernick syndrome
Like I said. He smokes with roman at halftime. I really think he’s high out there.
Comment of the year!!! Bingers in the locker room!
They need to roll Kaep out some more.
Dude just can’t sit in the pocket and step and throw it
Can you imagine if Tom Brady was given Greg Romans playbook? It would be like giving a high school kid instructions on how to ride a tricycle.
LOL.
Crab,
Do you think Harbaugh next employer will say Jim we want you but you need to leave Roman noodles behind.?
He’ll know if the front office starts shooting paintballs at Roman if he comes within 1000 yards of the facility.
That will happen
I can believe that.
This last drive just reminds me of the whole season.
1st down ball should have been caught. Dropped.
2nd down run up the middle for 1 yard
3rd down pocket collapses, qb panics takes off for 3 yards.
Changes are a coming.
Nice…. Fouts was a ball boy for SF back in the day and is a 9er fan. I can dig that. Said he’s torn in this game though.
Is anyone else think this looks a lot like our annual pre season game with SD? Numbers and names I don’t know, penalties all night
How did Gates get that wide open?
Dahl!!!
We’ll be lucky if we win this game.
Or unlucky
Boy what a huge difference in the pass defense when Reid is out. He is a difference maker for sure.
Our opponents have discovered one consistent thing about the 49ers – the inevitable collapse in the 2nd half.
I’m really okay with us losing this game. I’d rather have a better pick in the draft. 7-9 would certainly give us a decent pick. Maybe we can get a speedy wideout with some hands!
Yeah, I won’t be upset. But when you’re in a slump you need something to help break you out of it. I was hoping that we might be able to do it this game. I hope this isn’t trans-seasonal.
Nice return, but why is Cox returning punts. Is Ellington out?
I apologize for so many wisecracks lately….I’m just venting….I had high expectations, even after the all the key injuries….Don’t hate me fellas/Mary.
The great John Wooden had the “Pyramid of Success” and now we have Greg Romans “Pyramid of SUCKccess”
That’s Alford.
Grant, when you get a chance can you comment on how full the stadium is? Thanks.
Lol Grant
Shoot. No need. We’ve all been that way this season. Your cred is good. Brotha
No problem, I didn’t even notice.
MD/Cubus – thanks
You mean Suck@$$, right Crab?
Did the refs forget to throw the flag on that return?
Don’t worry Kap can still tie the game with a INT
Can we at least get a field goal?
What happened to Ellington in the 2nd half?
He went up in smoke with roman and Kaps annual halftime joint
0 for 5 on 3rd downs in the 2nd half.
Why did he run out of bounds? What an idiot!
What a dumb AZZ call!
Why run out of bounds
Bad call, bad execution, why did you go out of bounds, numbskull
Hey we have that 95 yard scramble! Isn’t that worth it?
Why is Roman such a pitiful playcaller? Why does Harbaugh have no killer instinct?
Just like NO’s game last year. Kaep doesn’t stop the clock. Unbelievable.
I mean, Kaep stops the clock.
And he goes out of bounds!
Soooooo stupid.
CK did not slide in-bound:(
We are afraid to throw the ball.
Conservative calls using the clock instead of trying to keep the ball.
Look who is throwing the ball! Dude couldn’t even stay in bounds
Replay shows a player holding a joint for ck. Therefore he ran out of bounds for it. I don’t care. He’s stoned every second half of this year. Smh
That’s pretty funny. This bud’s for you!
Let’s go d
Lol no crowd there to boost the defense. How’s that working out for ya Jed?
They’re eating veggie dogs, chicken Tikka masala, and a pulled pork sandwich…….all nasty and over priced
0 sacks this game
he (kap) runs out of bounds what an idiot
Remarkably low pressure on Rivers considering the state of the Chargers’ O line.
The Chargers are like cockroaches…..Hard to kill.
Playoff lives.
I like our chance to lose this one. It is the 4th quarter. We’re right on schedule.
No way. Big defensive play ends it
Jerrod-Eddie seems to be having a good game.
J-Eddie was held.
MD is that an alexcuse?
A gap blitz! !!!
This is why Harbaugh needs to go. When is the last time the Niners had a 2 TD lead when the game ended?
Harbaugh wants to grind. Just put your gddmn foot on their throats and end it! But no!!!!! Another game with a 1 score differential on the last drive of the game.
Bounce, Harbaugh.
Lol zero timeouts
Skuta
If we lose this game after having such a big lead and given another poor 2nd half showing, I think it will only harden the resolve of the FO to make big changes this offseason.
Wow
Kaep doesn’t make that throw but he can run!
Great ! let’s form a track team
Hey G-Ro, see how you have ALL your receivers run 10 yards past the sticks on 4th-and-6?
No? Thought not.
Anybody remember that one guy…
Oh what’s his name???
Number 10 I think?
What the heck was Johnson doing?
One more play
Skuta is owning Gates right now! S
Omg cox. .make that tackle
If cox makes that tackle, game over!
Where’s Tank?
What’s wrong with Aldon?
Cockroaches…….Spray some Raid on these bi#*hes!
If kaep stays in bounds this game is over
Why is #7 smiling so much on the sidelines???
Because he’s stoned. An that’s what stoners do.
Way to get there Dahl!!!
Let’s get a good return cox
That’s why u stay in bounds for crying out loud
Wow. Wished we had a second year pro back there to defend the end zone.
Ellington will find a way
I’m glad I’m currently in SF. I wouldn’t be able to handle the howls of laughter from my Seattle neighbors.
Throw a bomb to Lloyd
Defense got overwhelmed but those guys are not starters. Kaep is a starter and didn’t help the cause by running out of bounds like an idiot. Would be nice to have timeouts but if yeah we burned them on the delay of game.
Man at least one timeout would be nice right now
We just need to use our timeouts wisely……….. Ugh!!!!!!
Kaepernick going out really helped SD there.
Yep. But you got to give SD credit for converting 2 4th down situations.
I We need 10 more yards
Send moss deep!
60 yard attempt
Dawson can make this
In Denver!
DR. Phil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!…..F ME
If we win this game it will be a miracle like the 68, or was it 69, Mets.
69 amazin mets
Smh. Smh. Oh kaep……you get 3 downs in the cfl. And they let u smoke weed in the first half!
No OT needed with Montana/Young/JT O’Sullivan :)
Is O’Sullivan still available?
Ellington must be out, if Patton and Cox are fielding kickoffs.
Well isn’t that just emblematic of our entire season.
Patton…….Nooooooo!!!!!
Ellington goes out. The team falls apart.
#11 kills us again :)
NO CRAB #7 KILLS US AGAIN….FACE IT…He’s gone… to take a page from Bayarea’s book….If Kaeps here next season, I’m not!
Wow I am in Maui and watching the San Francisco Buffoons play,
The defense was gassed. Why not give it to gore? He knows how to stay in bounds. Bad fumble on patton. Positive is Ellington. If he can stay healthy.
I look forward to your departure Oregon. Be safe.
CK = Stink