49ers vs Chargers prediction: what pundits picked
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers · Week 15, 2026 · Thu, Dec 17 · Updated
Who do pundits pick in 49ers vs Chargers? The one pundit with a call on record so far takes the Chargers. Every call is graded once the game is final.
Who the room took
1 pundit · each counted once, by their latest call49ers at Chargers: how they come in
The 49ers are 7-1; the Chargers are 0-8 and have lost 8 straight. On win totals, 13 pundits put the 49ers at 10.1 wins on average, and 13 pundits put the Chargers at 8.1 wins on average.
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- Record
- 7-1 · 235 scored, 156 allowed
- Last games
- W 38-17 vs Raiders Week 9
- L 20-29 at Falcons Week 7
- W 23-17 vs Commanders Week 6
- Unit ranks
- offense 2nd, defense 9th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 12-5
- Win-total calls
- 13 pundits · average 10.1 · 3 to 14 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 5 of 8 49ers games
- Record
- 0-8 · lost 8 straight · 121 scored, 219 allowed
- Unit ranks
- offense 32nd, defense 26th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 11-6
- Win-total calls
- 13 pundits · average 8.1 · 2 to 12 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 6 of 8 Chargers games
49ers and Chargers players to watch
Each club’s starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit on our leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick (69 pundits clear that bar), made since the 2026 schedule came out. “No.” is their rank there.
49ers
- Brock PurdyStarting QB · QB
1,980 passing yards · 17 TD, 5 INT · 69.1% completions · 201 rushing yards · 8 games · 14th in the NFL in passing yards
Brock Purdy to stay with San Francisco 49ers
“QB Brock Purdy, 49ers ... the dozen players that most likely won't be traded” the article →
Brock Purdy to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Consider him a low-end QB1 in 2026 fantasy drafts.” the article →
- Christian McCaffreyRB1 · RB
457 rushing yards on 102 carries · 10 TD · 36 catches for 270 · 8 games · 19th in the NFL in rushing yards
Christian McCaffrey to outplay his draft cost (that mid first round pick)
“Pat has them ranked number seven overall... So I think we just need to get like twelve or thirteen games, fourteen games out of him to have him be worth that mid first round pick... that's why I'm willing to draft Christian McCaffrey in the middle of the first round.” the article →
Christian McCaffrey to make the roster
“So Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Youssek locked in. Kalyn Black locked in. Jordan James locked in.” the article →
- Mike EvansWR1 · WR
27 catches for 420 yards · 3 TD · 6 games · 33rd in the NFL in receiving yards
“Watkins is probably just a one-week rental, since Evans figures to be back by Week 11 at the latest” the article →
Mike Evans to outplay his draft cost (a locked and loaded top twenty four guy)
“I'm drafting him, and I think he's gonna boom. I think he's gonna boom in this offense” the article →
- George KittleTE1 · TE
38 catches for 483 yards · 5 TD · 8 games · 25th in the NFL in receiving yards
George Kittle to make the roster
“I got three tight ends here. George Kittle, who is no longer gonna be on Pup, so he has to make the roster.” the article →
George Kittle to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“He's back comfortably in the top-5 TE rankings.” the article →
- DeForest BucknerSack leader · DT
4 sacks · 12 solo tackles · 8 games · 30th in the NFL in sacks
DeForest Buckner to move — “may ship out before the deadline”
“Outside of Nelson, running back Jonathan Taylor and pass rusher DeForest Buckner are other possible trade chips Indy may ship out before the deadline.” the article →
DeForest Buckner to move to San Francisco 49ers
“If I'm the Niners, I go after DeForest Bruckner.” the article →
- Fred WarnerTackle leader · LB
0.5 sacks · 36 solo tackles · 8 games · 14th in the NFL in solo tackles
Fred Warner to make All-Pro
“my preseason All-Pro team ... Linebacker: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers” the article →
Fred Warner to make the roster
“We know that Fred Warner is gonna make the roster.” the article →
Chargers
- Justin HerbertStarting QB · QB
1,591 passing yards · 6 TD, 11 INT · 61.3% completions · 190 rushing yards · 8 games · 21st in the NFL in passing yards
Justin Herbert to stay with Los Angeles Chargers
“Of all the players on this list, Herbert is the player with the best chance of a trade. That would require Herbert to agree to waive his no-trade clause.” the article →
Justin Herbert to outplay his draft cost (an ADP of QB9 and is going in the back half of the seventh round)
“Justin Herbert has an ADP of QB9 and is going in the back half of the seventh round... the arrival of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel could help unlock the sort of big passing numbers that Herbert produced in his first three seasons.” the article →
- Omarion HamptonRB1 · RB
369 rushing yards on 102 carries · 3 TD · 11 catches for 63 · 8 games · 25th in the NFL in rushing yards
Omarion Hampton to be 1st on the depth chart
“Mitchell is No. 2 in the pecking order behind starter Omarion Hampton, and Vidal is No. 3” the article →
Omarion Hampton to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Hampton should be a rock-solid RB1 with massive upside in 2026.” the article →
- Ladd McConkeyWR1 · WR
17 catches for 286 yards · 1 TD · 6 games · 76th in the NFL in receiving yards
Ladd McConkey to move to Pittsburgh Steelers
“Trade 1 Steelers receive: Ladd McConkey, 2027 fifth-round pick Chargers receive: Roman Wilson, 2027 second-round pick” the article →
“McConkie's out, and I expect him to be out for the game. (Chargers vs. Raiders, Week 2)” the article →
- Oronde Gadsden IITE1 · TE
19 catches for 172 yards · 1 TD · 8 games · 135th in the NFL in receiving yards
Oronde Gadsden II to fall short of his draft cost (TE20, Overall RK150 | ECR vs. ADP: -20)
“I'll be avoiding Oronde Gadsden in drafts this season... Gadsden looks like he's locked in a tight end committee for 2026, which is something I don't have any interest in dealing with for fantasy purposes.” the article →
Oronde Gadsden II to be 3rd on the depth chart
“I would drop Ronde. I think he's gonna be tight end three in that rotation, man.” the article →
- Tuli TuipulotuSack leader · LB
3 sacks · 15 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games · 51st in the NFL in sacks
Tuli Tuipulotu to move — “potential trade chip”
“Khalil Mack is the Chargers' pass rusher everyone is talking about, but LA has another intriguing talent in Tuipulotu. (listed among 25 potential trade chips)” the article →
Tuli Tuipulotu to sign a new deal with Los Angeles Chargers
“I think his Chargers teammate Tuli Tuipulotu gets an extension from LA that keeps him around, but Mack is still a quality pass rusher and sets a physical edge.” the article →
- Daiyan HenleyTackle leader · LB
0.5 sacks · 21 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games · 140th in the NFL in solo tackles
Daiyan Henley to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Daiyan Henley projects to step back from his starting job with the Chargers and assume a rotational role behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad” the article →
Every call on 49ers at Chargers
1–1 of 1
Los Angeles Chargers to beat San Francisco 49ers
unfortunately, I gotta give the chargers the win here in week 15.