49ers vs. Chargers: Game Analysis & Key Player Insights
Joe Raineri and Craig Mish preview tonight's clash between the 49ers and Chargers, spotlighting key players and past injuries that shaped game tactics.
Video Transcript
Well, then the late game is gonna be the 49ers at the Chargers, and the Chargers, I don't know what it is, can't seem to keep anybody healthy on their offensive line.
But that's nothing new with Justin Herbert.
But we did learn that the 49ers and Brock Purdy and some of the other starters there on the offense, will be giving it a go, which is why the Chargers, opened up as a slight favorite.
Now that line flipped to the 49ers.
Mm-hmm.
I think Harbaugh said, "Expect Herbert and the starters for maybe one or two series," and that's that.
So, you know, if I'm these two head coaches with the history of injuries that they've had to endure over the last couple of seasons, I am, This is great, Herbert, go out there, Brock Purdy, go, go out, and then get off the field as soon as possible and let nobody else get hurt.
I, they just can't keep anybody healthy here.
Seems like Harbaugh's indicating that Herbert goes and plays one series and comes out of the game.
That's, that's what it seems- Yep like they wanna do.
Remember, these teams have joint practices and they play a lot against each other.
Right.
We just don't see the video, and you get, like, these unpolished reports as to what's really going on.
It's impossible to know.
You know, so from the Chargers' perspective, who I would never bet on an NFL pre-season game, they do have Trey Lance, who's Mr. Pre-season- Yep playing tonight.
And so, he's expected to play, I believe, the f- through the end of the first quarter all the way through the half.
And I, I kinda, you know, do like the Chargers a little first half in this game, although I don't trust anybody beyond that.
The story for the 49ers, as you mentioned, Joe, is that it seems like Shanahan, no matter who they have, is able to carve out this incredible offense every year.
But that- Right but going into this year, this, this is the biggest question year yet under Shanahan.
Can he make chicken salad out of what appears to be the other word, chicken you know what?
Because George Kittle- Mm-hmm has not played in the pre-season.
Mike Evans, who they acquired, has been hurt.
Deebo is back, but he has not played yet.
And Christian McCaffrey's not played in the pre-season.
I mean, I could keep going.
So I guess- Yeah here is the question.
Is this kid who is playing for San Francisco, DeSean Stribling, who everyone's, is talking about as maybe the most impactful wide receiver rookie, in, in camp and maybe in the pre-season, who's gonna play tonight a lot, by the way, is he legit?
Like, th- it's maybe more of a fantasy question than maybe even a reality question, but he has been probably the biggest, riser in fantasy and the most talked-about name at wide receiver in any training camp, Joe.
Like, th- this- Yep this guy supposedly has been the guy.
So for me, if I'm gonna devote five minutes into the game tonight, he would be, you know, certainly the one to watch.
I, I would say this.
Now, I am unfortunately, or fortunately for me, I am locked into Major League Baseball's broadcast this weekend doing the Marlins Friday, Saturday, Sunday, so it's very unlikely that I'm gonna be watching a ton of NFL pre-season.
But like we- like I crapped on NFL pre-season one last week, Joe, I'm not gonna do that this week.
I do think that five or 10 minutes of watching time I would not make fun of anybody for watching.
'Cause yes, you're gonna get some of the players that you know playing this week.
Now, next week I will go back to crapping on it again, but this week- Right no, I do think some starters will play.
I mean, Joe, Mendoza tonight.
Yeah.
That's worth maybe five mi- five, 10 minutes of your time.
And then let's say- I agree you have a fantasy draft coming up.
You know, I, I don't My son has it.
You know, his, his friends put it together for tomorrow, and I was like, "You guys are crazy.
There's some- you're gonna be drafting Guys are gonna get hurt.
You shouldn't do it.
Just wait."
They didn't listen to me, so they're drafting tomorrow.
But I, I think most fantasy drafts are next week, you know, at the end of next weekend.
So- Yep I, I think for, for those reasons it's interesting to watch.
Do you, do you still play fantasy, Joe?
Do you have any teams at all anymore?
I, I- Did you play last year?
I do.
Yep, I do.
We, you know, got the same, group that, that I've been with, over the years.
And, uh- Great.
Okay it's more bragging rights than anything else.
Uh- Sure but y- most of the time during football season is in survivor pools and those types of things- Love it, yeah where, which gets absolutely, out of control.
So yeah, and you know, y- you used to only have to go to places l- like Las Vegas.
It was the only place you could get those kinds of football contests anymore.
It used to be.
But, that's all changed over the years here.
Right.
And a lot of what is gonna be decided this weekend, you know, don't forget, this is where backup quarterbacks get chosen.
Who's backing up Aaron Rodgers?
Well, Will- Second and third guy Honan, we saw what Drew Lock's doing.
Yep, well, you're gonna see Will Howard against the Jets, over the weekend.
And speaking of the Jets, who's Geno Smith's backup?
Anybody?
I have no idea.
I still don't know who- Yeah the quarterback for Atlanta is gonna be 'cause Tua's been- Me either remarkably terrible.
Penix is still hurt.
So Cooper Rush.
There are a lot of questions that have to be answered over the next couple of weeks and-
