NFL preseason Week 2 scores: 49ers dominate Chargers, Raiders win

During the second week of the 2026 NFL preseason, the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Los Angeles Chargers, leading the game 41-9 in the fourth quarter. The game, which took place on August 20, 2026, featured two games, with the other match being the Raiders at the Texans. In Houston, the Raiders made a comeback to defeat the Texans 22-20.

Jacob Cowing celebrated after returning a punt for a touchdown, which happened earlier in the game. The Raiders, facing a 17-point deficit, executed a last-minute drive capped by a touchdown from quarterback Aidan O'Connell. Fernando Mendoza, the quarterback for the Texans, completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards but ended the night with a pick-six.

The 49ers had a commanding presence, especially in the fourth quarter. They took advantage of turnovers, including a fumble recovery that led to a touchdown pass from Adrian Martinez to Jordan Watkins. Martinez also showcased his abilities with a 9-yard rushing touchdown. The overall performance marked a high point for the 49ers this preseason as they registered one of their strongest scoring outputs.

On the other hand, the Chargers struggled significantly throughout the match. By the end of the third quarter, they had only managed three yards on 12 carries in their rushing game. Their offense could barely find rhythm, resulting in several punts which highlighted their inefficient second-half performance.

As they entered the fourth quarter, the Chargers tried to ignite some spark, starting their drive from the 45-yard line after an interception by Devin Grant. However, they could not capitalize on turnovers and continued to struggle against the 49ers' defense.

The second game saw the Raiders avoid disaster against the Texans. Despite trailing originally, they recovered and secured a lead thanks to effective plays from O'Connell. This combination of games illustrated the competitive nature of the preseason, with teams showing flashes of potential and areas needing improvement as they gear up for the regular season.