49ers at Chargers NFL preseason score, takeaways: Trey Lance's two scores help San Francisco edge Los Angeles

Chase Daniel, set to open the 2021 regular season as Justin Herbert's backup, attempting to lead a preseason comeback here for the Chargers. L.A. trails by five. A couple of nice on-the-run throws has the Chargers inching toward 49ers territory with five to play.

Trey Lance's night is done with three minutes left in the third quarter. Nate Sudfeld takes over as the 49ers' QB. So San Francisco's top pick ends the day 8-of-14 for 102 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. A mixed bag thanks to some wild throws but TD bullets. Mostly positive, though, in our mind, considering Lance was added to bring play-making upside to this offense -- an offense that, by the way, has yet to feature Lance in the run game during the preseason.

Well, well, well. Trey Lance's rocket arm comes in handy once again. After a shaky start to the series in the third quarter, nearly throwing a second interception on an outside throw, the rookie fires a perfect down-the-middle strike to Travis Benjamin for the score. The 49ers are now up 14-10. Lance is 8-of-14 for 102 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT through about a quarter and a half of work in relief of Jimmy Garoppolo. Benjamin now up to two catches for 24 yards competing for one of San Francisco's reserve WR spots.

The 49ers were set to enter halftime looking darn near apathetic/helpless, with Trey Lance really struggling to find a rhythm and the Chargers maintaining an eight-point lead. Then Lance reminded everyone of the beautiful deep-ball touch he possesses, floating a perfect downfield shot to Trent Sherfield to bring San Francisco all the way into the red zone. Then he brought back the bullet pass on a laser of a slant to Mohamed Sanu for the touchdown with seconds to spare in the half. A heck of a rebound drive for the rookie, and it brings the score within two after Robbie Gould can't connect on the extra point. L.A. leads 10-8.

Is Easton Stick the best QB in a game featuring Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance? So far, perhaps! The NDSU product and Chargers No. 3 just capitalized on Lance's pick by leading L.A. to the first touchdown of the night. And he did it in style, eluding rushers on a scramble all the way to the sideline before throwing at the very last minute to a wide-open Josh Palmer. It's now 6-2 Chargers, who've been aided by San Francisco's QBs sailing passes high or too hard.

Both 49ers QBs now victimized by half-drops. Trey Lance double-pumps in the pocket on his second series, then delivers a shot over the middle to Mohamed Sanu, only to watch as the ball tips off Sanu's fingertips and into the hands of an awaiting defender. The Chargers get their second interception of the night and a chance to quickly overcome their 2-0 deficit. Lance could've thrown a more accurate ball on the Sanu target, but this one -- even more so than Garoppolo's INT -- is probably the fault of the receiver.

Points are on the board! Reserve pass rusher Jordan Willis comes off the edge to down Easton Stick in the end zone, logging a 49ers safety to put San Francisco up 2-0. Stick had just missed on a deep shot that had a bit too much air, then held the ball a second too long while waiting for an opening deep in his own territory. The Niners' defensive front is probably the star of the show so far.

Trey Lance can't get any points on the board on his first drive under center. The rookie goes just 1-of-3 for nine yards, throwing behind Deebo Samuel on a third-and-long. Samuel appears to touch the ball but can't haul it in, then discusses the failed attempt (or something related) with Jimmy Garoppolo on the sidelines. Jimmy's still got the early edge in this one, if you're looking for instant QB-competition updates.

We know one thing Easton Stick can do: Scramble. The guy has stayed alive in the face of 49ers pressure, but still, there's nothing doing for the Chargers' backup offense. And now, with just over 13 minutes left in the first half, Trey Lance is officially in at QB for San Francisco. Jimmy Garoppolo gets just one series (albeit a long one) tonight; the incumbent looked solid for much of his time but ended his evening with a pick. Let's see what the rookie can do!

Asante Samuel Jr. strikes! The rookie cornerback corrals a Jimmy Garoppolo pass that bounces off the hands of his intended target. Ball was high but catchable. So the 49ers watch a promising, methodical drive go to waste thanks to the pick. Garoppolo had several passes sail a bit on that opening series, but he was otherwise sharp with quick decisions and nimble feet. L.A. takes over.

Easton Stick uses his legs to extend a play and pick up a first, then can't connect on a third-and-long to keep the Chargers on the field. On the ensuing 49ers drive, Jimmy Garoppolo predictably gets the start under center. He's getting the ball out quickly and showing off his own legs! San Francisco pushing into scoring territory already.