NFL Week 16 Schedule & Predictions: San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers [VOTE]
The San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers will play each other on Saturday Night Football at 8:25 p.m. EST.
The Chargers are still alive in the playoff race, barely. Although the 49ers have been eliminated from postseason play, they would love to defeat their interstate rivals at home.
Let's see who has the edge in this game:
San Diego Chargers (8-6)
The last two weeks the Chargers have lost at home to the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos. Playoff hopes are fading but not completely destroying in San Diego. The Chargers are 8-6, tied with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in the AFC.
For the Chargers to make the playoffs, they would have to win out and need losses by the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. It's not an impossibility, but the Chargers need some luck on their side if they're going to make the playoffs.
Quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this season, but he has struggled in his last two games. Rivers will be facing an elite defense come Saturday night, so he will have to bring his A game. Rivers is well known for his quality play in December.
Running back Ryan Mathews is battling an ankle injury, and Keenan Allen has already been ruled out.
The Chargers have had an underrated defensive unit all season long. This defense ranks ninth overall, ninth against the pass and 13th against the rush. It would be really disappointing for a Chargers team with a such great defensive squad to miss out on the postseason.
If the Chargers miss the playoffs this season, it would be the fourth time in the last five years they fail to qualify for the postseason.
The Chargers will finish their season against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17.
San Francisco 49ers (7-7)
The 49ers have been the most disappointing team in the league this season. Despite having the No. 3 ranked defense in the league, the 49ers have been eliminated from the playoffs after a loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week. The 49ers had previously made it to the last three consecutive NFC Championship games.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh is likely on his way out by possible trade or choosing to go to Michigan. Whether or not he returns, the 49ers still have a home game to play Saturday night.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick isn't showing any signs of improvements, and he continues to throw inaccurate passes. Kaepernick has just one touchdown and four interceptions in his last three games, which all resulted in losses. Only once this entire season has Kaepernick thrown for more than 300 yards in a game.
Amazingly, Kaepernick hasn't thrown a single fourth quarter touchdown this entire season.
Frank Gore may be past his prime, but he's still getting important yardage between the tackles. This 49ers team has talent players on offense such as Michael Crabtree, Carlos Hyde, Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis. They just haven't been able to translate that talent into victories on the field.
The 49ers will finish their season against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17.
Schedule, Where to Watch
The San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers will play each other on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 8:25 p.m. on CBS. The game will be played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. You can view a live game stream here.
Predictions
Both teams have been pretty disappointing over the last month, but the Chargers are still in it. If the Chargers can defeat the 49ers and improve to 9-6, that will put a lot of pressure on the Ravens and Steelers to win their games. In the end, the Chargers just need this game more.
Chargers win 27-20
Who do you think will? Feel free to vote in our NFL fan poll below
For up-to-date sports news, scores, and more, follow Latin Post Sports on Twitter