49ers Bounce Back at SoFi: What We Learned from San Francisco’s Preseason Battle vs. Chargers
Stache and all, head coach Kyle Shanahan had his San Francisco 49ers ready to respond at SoFi Stadium. Following a challenging joint practice session with the Los Angeles Chargers earlier in the week, San Francisco flipped the script on Thursday night, showing a completely different level of juice and execution. From early first string defensive stands to a dominant 21-unanswered-point avalanche in the second half, the 49ers fired on nearly all cylinders.
Video Transcript
With Kyle Shanahan rocking the stash and all, he had his San Francisco 49ers ready to respond in SoFi Stadium.
Following a challenging joint practice session with the Los Angeles Chargers earlier in the week, San Francisco flipped the script on Thursday night, showing a completely different level of juice and execution.
From early first string defensive stands to a dominant twenty-one unanswered point, avalanche in the second half, the 49ers fired on nearly all cylinders.
Here's the key takeaways.
The 49ers starting defense wasted no time washing away the bad taste of Tuesday's joint practice.
Facing Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert on the opening drive, San Francisco defense shut them down and forced a crisp three and out.
Veteran Deebo Samuel surprised many by stepping back to the field for the opening punt, a clear signal from Shanahan testing special teams field positioning, taking the fair catch clearly.
When Los Angeles turned over the keys to former quarterback-- 49ers quarterback Trey Lance, the defense didn't flinch.
San Francisco's defensive front remained stout against the run, suffocating interior lanes and forcing another quick three and out.
Later in the second quarterb-- cornerback Jack Jones delivered a clu- clutch PBU in tight coverage in the red zone, forcing Los Angeles to settle for a twenty-one-yard Cameron Dicker field goal.
QB rotations, Purdy got the nod start under center for his preseason debut in the twenty twenty-six season.
Operating smoothly against Los Angeles' starting defense, Purdy commanded the huddle smoothly before making way for the backup rotations.
Mac Jones took over San Francisco's second drive and directed an efficient rhythm-based offense to secure a forty-eight-yard field goal by kicker Eddie Piniero.
And finally, Adrian Martinez navigated a wild roller coaster of a second half after throwing an early third-quarter pick six against DJ Uiagalelei's Charger unit.
Martinez showed remarkable mental toughness and orchestrated three consecutive touchdown drives, capitalizing on a Chargers fourth down penalty with a goal line rushing touchdown, converting a fourth and short on a clock-eating drive, and taking another keeper into the end zone himself.
The highlights of the night belonged to wideout Jacob Cowling.
Under three minutes remaining in the first half, Cowling fielded a JK Scott punt, caught a seam behind fast-- fantastic special teams blocking, and took it eighty-four yards to the house for a r-- touchdown return.
The 49ers special team unit wasn't done making plays, as they later recovered a muffed Chargers punt in the second half to set up short field position.
While preseason naturally brings a handful of penalties and messy reps, both coaching staffs acknowledge that August is the time to experiment.
San Francisco proved its depth can adjust, respond to adversity, and execute under the lights of SoFi, which they will need to do later on this season.
