Fireworks explode in the sky as football fans stand during the playing of the national anthem at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo played turnover-free for the fifth time this season, leading to their fifth win.
Garoppolo was 19-of-28 for 240 yards, and the 49ers’ armada of offensive talent eventually came through with play after play, leading to Christian McCaffrey’s touchdown for their first lead, with 7:54 to spare in an eventual 22-16 win.
Credit also goes to the 49ers’ defense for preserving that lead, never mind that the Chargers (5-4) valiantly fought all night without their top three wide receivers, their left tackle and their best defender, the latter being Joey Bosa, brother of 49ers’ defensive star Nick Bosa.
The 49ers (5-4) now sit a half-game out of the NFC West lead, behind the Seattle Seahawks (6-4).
Next up is an extended road trip to face the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night in Mexico City. But first, the 49ers will acclimate to high-altitude conditions in Colorado Springs, Colo. from Tuesday through Sunday. Their Mexico stay will last just one night, as they’ll fly out after that game, which could inflate their NFC West record to 4-0 with a win.
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San Francisco 49ers’ Charvarius Ward (7) celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers’ Michael Bandy (83) in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa (97) reacts after sacking Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) makes a reception while being tackled by Los Angeles Chargers’ Michael Davis (43) in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk (11) makes a reception and fumbles the ball when he’s hit by Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James Jr. (3) in the first quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk (11) is tackled after a catch by Los Angeles Chargers’ Kenneth Murray Jr. (9) in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) takes a selfie with fans before the start of their NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Los Angeles Chargers starting quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Los Angeles Chargers’ Asante Samuel Jr. (26) and Derwin James Jr. (3) tackle San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey (23) out of bounds in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk (11) makes a catch against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey (23) stiff arms Los Angeles Chargers’ Khalil Mack (52) in the first quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk (11) is tackled after making a catch by Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James Jr. (3) in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan walks the sideline while playing the Los Angeles Chargers in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey (23) runs against Los Angeles Chargers’ Kyle Van Noy (8) in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Charles Omenihu (94) gestures to the crowd in the fourth quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 22-16. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa (97) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Robbie Gould (9) kicks a field goal against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Elijah Mitchell (25) runs against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) leans in for a first down against the Los Angeles Chargers in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (45) celebrates a play against the Los Angeles Chargers late in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk (11) fumbles the ball against Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James Jr. (3) in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Tashaun Gipson Sr. (31) tackles Los Angeles Chargers’ Joshua Palmer (5) after a catch in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) congratulates San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) after their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 22-16. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Jane Tyska is an award-winning staff photojournalist, videojournalist, drone pilot and picture editor based out of Oakland, and has worked for the Bay Area News Group since 1997. She's there when news breaks and has been known to arrive on assignment by many modes of transport, including motorcycle and boat.
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