CARSON — In their first game this season without franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers lost 29-27 to the Chargers on Sunday in a wild game that featured a series of second-half plot twists.
After squandering a 14-point lead, the 49ers rallied from a nine-point, third-quarter deficit, but finally succumbed when the Chargers ended the suspense with a late-game turnover.
Trailing 29-27 at their 31-yard line with just over two minutes left, the 49ers’ potential game-winning drive ended when quarterback C.J. Beathard was drilled by blitzing safety Derwin James and his pass fluttered into the arms of defensive end Isaac Rochell for an interception.