Welcome to our live blog of the San Francisco 49ers vs. the San Diego Chargers as we enter the final week of the 2013 NFL Preseason. The 49ers are 2-1 while the Chargers are 1-2 so far in these exhibition games. Can't watch the game? Follow this live blog for up to the minute scoring updates with stats and play-by-play of the action.
Colin Kaepernick continues to amaze in small doses this preseason. Never mind that the 49ers aren't in the Top 10 in scoring right now, when the regular season arrives, Kaepernick, if healthy, will remain on the field and have the 49ers shining. Kaepernick is 12/19 with 107 passing yards, one touchdown and no sacks. Aside from their quarterbacks, the 49ers don't have any players in triple digits. Vance McDonald leads with 90 receiving yards, while Jewel Hampton has rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Kaepernick maybe be one of the faces of the franchise, but the 49ers defense is really what carries the team. So far in the 2013 preseason, the 49ers have allowed, on average, 12.3 points (3rd), 201 total yards (1st), 109.7 passing yards (1st) and 91.7 rushing yards (8th) per game. Those numbers will scare any opponent, especially the Chargers.
Philip Rivers is one of the game's best quarterbacks. He might have taken a dip in popularity after the emergence of guys like Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson, but he has been durable and successful at the NFL level. Passing has always been their best weapon, but that might be in jeopardy tonight with this tough 49ers secondary.
Ladarius Green and Antonio Gates have been Charger quarterback's favorite targets. Green, a second year tight end out of Louisiana-Lafayette, has eight catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns, while Gates has seven catches and 75 yards. Rivers will need guys like Dan DePalma and Robert Meachem to continue producing. DePalma, a first-year, has seven catches for 70 yards in the preseason. Meachem has lacked any presence on the field as a Charger. He's far removed from the player who succeeded with Drew Brees in New Orlanes back in 2009.
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