Chargers vs 49ers Preseason Picks and Predictions: A Trey Lance-Easton Stick Showcase

It’s the final week of the NFL preseason, which means meaningful football is only a couple of weeks away. But for players trying to make the final 53 on Aug. 29, this is one of their few opportunities left to show something.

The big storyline as the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers take the field at Levi’s Stadium on Friday night will be about how former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance just hasn’t shown enough in his few opportunities.

After being demoted to third-string duties earlier this week, Lance is expected to play, paving the way for a North Dakota State quarterback duel between him and Chargers backup Easton Stick… neither of whom has been a world-beater this preseason.

Find out where my best bets lie in our NFL preseason picks and predictions for Chargers vs. 49ers on Friday, August 25.

Chargers vs 49ers odds

Chargers vs 49ers predictions

After making his preseason debut last week against the Broncos, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is expected to play again, as are the vast majority of San Francisco’s starters.

Purdy went 4 of 5 for 65 yards and led a field goal drive in the win. It was his first action since tearing the UCL in his right elbow in last year's NFC Championship. Despite the action, Kyle Shanahan said he’ll see the field again.

“No, the starters will play next week,” Shanahan said when asked if Purdy was done for the preseason.

Still, it’s hard to imagine Purdy and the starters will be out there for more than a drive or two.

As for the Los Angeles Chargers, don’t expect to see any of their stars. There’s no way with their injury luck that guys like Justin Herbert, Derwin James Jr., Rashawn Slater, or Joey Bosa will even sniff the field.

That sets this up for a backup bowl between two former Bison with multiple FCS Championship rings where points could be far and few between (can’t you hear that Under 37.5 calling your name).

The 49ers will be platooning Trey Lance and fellow NFL Draft bust Sam Darnold once again, and Brandon Allen could even see the field. 

That trio has combined to throw for 496 yards with three touchdowns (one of which should have been intercepted) and two picks this preseason while leading a combined five scoring drives.

Behind a thin second and third offensive line unit — that includes three undrafted rookies, three undrafted second-year players, and two recent Day 3 draft picks — 49ers passers could be under duress all game.

The Chargers will be deploying a front seven with depth and athleticism led by Day 2 rookies Daiyan Henley and Tuli Tuipulotu, both of whom have made splashy plays this preseason.

The Shanahan family’s bread and butter has always been running the football, and the 49ers will surely lean on their ground game (which will help churn that clock).

San Francisco's backup backs have been unspectacular this preseason with Jordan Mason, Tyrion Davis-Price, and Jeremy McNichols averaging just 3.5 yards per carry after rushing for a combined 128 yards in two games.

On the flip side, the Chargers have mainly played Easton Stick this preseason — he played the entirety of the second preseason game — after sprinkling in TCU hero and seventh-round rookie Max Duggan in the opener.

Chargers fans are probably feeling a little worried at the thought of Herbert going down because Stick hasn’t shown much (35 of 62 for 342 yards with one TD and two INTs).

Outside of some strong reps from third-year undrafted offensive tackle Foster Sarell and fifth-round rookie Jordan McFadden, the Chargers backup offensive line room shouldn’t inspire much confidence.

While the 49ers will play starters on defense, Nick Bosa is still holding out. Luckily for the Under, they have arguably the deepest front seven in football and Javon Hargrave, Arik Armstead, and Fred Warner will cause all kinds of trouble for Stick.

When the stars come out, defensive coordinator Steve Wilks will still have plenty to play with in former Top-100 picks Drake Jackson, Clelin Ferrell, Javon Kinlaw, Marlon Davidson, and Breeland Speaks.

Even the 49ers' second and third-string secondary players have seen real NFL playing time. Second-year corner Samuel Womack and rookie third-round safety Ji’Ayir Brown have both had especially nice moments this preseason.

With Lance coming off his demotion, and missing practice Wednesday as trade rumors swirl, he and Stick are poised to have a stomach-churning reunion. 

My best bet: Under 37.5 (-110 at bet365)

Chargers vs 49ers spread and Over/Under analysis

In their second preseason game, the Chargers closed as 3-point home dogs at most books before falling 22-17 to the New Orleans Saints. This came after winning 34-17 over the Los Angeles Rams as +2.5 “road” dogs in Week 1.

As for the 49ers, covering was never in doubt against the Denver Broncos in Week 2, but the win came on rookie Jake Moody's last-second 32-yard field goal (and so did the Over, which hit me like a knife to the stomach). 

It was a bounce back for the Niners after getting trounced 34-7 by the Las Vegas Raiders as -3.5-point road favorites in Week 1.

Now, with their starters playing, the 49ers are heavily favored at home against the Chargers, opening around -5.5 to -6, but with the starter news from Shanahan (and Brandon Staley coming from the Sean McVay tree of never really playing starters in the preseason), the Red and Gold are now -7.5.

On what’s expected to be a sunny and warm Friday evening with some wind, the total opened between 36.5 and 37.5 at most books. It’s now 37.5 pretty much everywhere.

If the 49ers are going to cover the spread, points will need to be scored and that pressure will likely fall on Lance, who Shanahan and GM John Lynch could be planning to play a lot as a way to showcase his trade value.

While there have been some good moments with Lance, throwing him out behind the backup offensive line with a stable of running backs who have done next to nothing won’t help his cause. 

Rookie receiver Ronnie Bell could be the key to Lance finding his rhythm, which would support the 49ers covering and hitting the Over, but that’s a lot to ask from a seventh-round pick.

Chargers vs 49ers betting trend to know

The 49ers have scored less than 20 points in five of their last eight preseason games. Find more NFL betting trends for Chargers vs. 49ers.

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