San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs the football against Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

49ers lean on running game, defense in comeback victory over Chargers

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 11/14/22

The San Francisco 49ers came from behind on Sunday Night Football to knock off the Los Angeles Chargers, 22-16, behind a strong second-half effort.

Trailing by six at halftime, the 49ers outscored the Chargers 12-0 the rest of the way, sneaking away with the six-point victory to improve to 5-4.

The Niners dominated on the ground, out-rushing the Chargers 157-51.

Elijah Mitchell led the way in his return from injury, carrying the ball 18 times for a game-high 89 yards. Meanwhile, Christian McCaffrey rushed for 38 yards off 14 attempts and scored the go-ahead two-yard score in the fourth quarter.

The first of many @CMC_22 touchdowns at @LevisStadium.

@SNFonNBC #LACvsSF pic.twitter.com/6GIfxmnvUP
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 14, 2022

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo managed the game well, finishing 19-of-28 for 240 yards while adding a rushing score of his own.

On the other side of the ball, after allowing ten first-half points, the 49ers' defense quieted Justin Herbert and the Chargers, posting goose eggs in the third and fourth quarters.

Edge rusher Nick Bosa finished with four tackles, including three for loss and a sack. Dre Greenlaw led the Niners with seven tackles, though he was ejected in the second half after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Herbert.

Dre Greenlaw was ejected for this hit on Justin Herbert
pic.twitter.com/0hHAgvCBfS
— OddsChecker (@OddsCheckerUS) November 14, 2022

San Francisco held the Chargers to just 238 yards of total offense. They kept Herbert to 196 yards passing while eliminating Austin Ekeler in the backfield, who finished with only 24 yards off six carries.

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