CARSON -- The 49ers let one get away Sunday, dropping to 1-3 on the season with a 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in front of a red-clad crowd of 25,397 at StubHub Center.
Here is a look at this week’s 49ers grades.
Rushing Offense
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The injuries along the offensive line didn't help, as the 49ers managed just 76 rushing yards on 21 attempts. Matt Breida, who came into the game tied for the NFL lead in rushing, wasn't 100 percent. He was nursing a knee injury, and he still managed to be the 49ers’ leading rusher with 39 yards on nine carries. Alfred Morris didn't have much success, either, gaining 14 yards on four carries.
The 49ers never were able to get the running game going, with just five of their 22 first downs coming on the ground.
Grade: C-minus
Passing Offense
San Francisco 49ers
C.J. Beathard did a good job of keeping drives alive with third-down conversions. He completed 23 of 37 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. One of his TDs was an 82-yard catch-and-run from tight end George Kittle.
But Beathard's two interceptions were killers. Tight end Garrett Celek had a pass deflect off his hand, resulting in an interception and setting up a Chargers field goal. And the game-ending pick came when Beathard was hit as he threw.
Grade: C
Rushing Defense
The 49ers’ run defense had been one of the team’s strengths through three games. But Chargers running back Melvin Gordon had a big day, rushing for 104 yards on 15 carries.
Again, the 49ers missed way too many tackles, especially in the fourth quarter when they needed some stops and could ill-afford to give the Chargers extra yardage.
Grade: D
Passing Defense
The 49ers played without cornerback Richard Sherman and neither of their starting safeties. But the pass defense provided a big play early with free safety Antone Exum’s interception and 32-yard return for a touchdown. Philip Rivers rebounded to throw for 250 yards and three touchdowns.
Ahkello Witherspoon struggled again and was benched in the second half in favor of Greg Mabin, who played well in his limited role.
Grade: C-minus
Special Teams
One of the game's key sequences came late in the first half, when the 49ers’ punt team allowed Desmond King to break loose on a 56-yard return. That set up a Chargers field goal on the final play of the first half.
Bradley Pinion finished with a net average of 30.6 on punts, and the 49ers got nothing from their return game. Ol’ reliable Robbie Gould converted his two field-goal attempts.
Grade: C-minus
Overall
It’s not good enough that the 49ers weren't buried after the Chargers went on a 20-0 run in the second and third quarters. This was a game the 49ers easily could have won. But they let it get away.
Coach Kyle Shanahan should have run out the clock at the end of the first half. Two failed challenges also proved costly in the second half, as the 49ers couldn't stop the clock to give their offense one final chance.
Grade: C-minus