Good morning.
Tom Krasovic of U-T San Diego writes that both the San Diego Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers are banged up heading into Saturday’s contest at Levi’s Stadium. However, the Chargers have more at stake with a chance to make the postseason.
Krasovic: “The Chargers need to find the emotional edge. The talent of these teams is equal, even accounting for Philip Rivers, who's far more advanced in the pocket than 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The atmosphere at the 49ers' new, yuppified stadium will be less charged than the rowdy crowds at Candelstick Park.The Chargers cannot allow the bland ambience to seep in. If they're not the more enthused, energetic, cleats-on-fire team Saturday, they'll regret it all winter.
In this ESPN Insider piece, draft guru Todd McShay has the Chargers selected Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman at No. 18 in his first mock draft.
ESPN NFL Insider Kevin Seifert writes that we are in the “steroid era” in the NFL with the explosion of the passing game, making it tough to compare eras when it comes to quarterbacks and pass catchers.
Mike Beuoy and Reuben Fischer-Baum of FiveThirtyEight.com calculate San Diego’s playoff odds at 12.7 percent.
ESPN NFL Nation 49ers beat writer Paul Gutierrez reports that San Francisco has 15 players on IR and 17 were listed on the injury report on Wednesday.
Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano breaks down the success of his defense stuffing the run near the goal line in this video.
Ricky Henne of Chargers.com takes a closer look at what receivers will step up with Keenan Allen out.
Kyle Posey of Bolts from the Blue wonders if offensive coordinator Frank Reich is holding San Diego’s offense back.
Darren Smith of The Mighty 1090 AM radio talks with Mark Fabiani, special consultant on the stadium issue for the Chargers, in this audio link.
