Chargers vs. 49ers: NFL Week 2 Preseason Predictions

In Week 2 of the 2026 NFL Preseason, the Los Angeles Chargers hosted the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The teams faced off at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, marking their 46th overall meeting in preseason history. The 49ers had a slight historical edge with 26 victories compared to the Chargers' 19.

Expert Jeff Hochman shared his predictions for the matchup, noting that both teams would likely see key players in action. Justin Herbert and Brock Purdy, who sat out in Week 1, were expected to appear in this game. In their initial preseason games, the 49ers lost to Tennessee, with a score of 19-13, while the Chargers emerged victorious against Houston, finishing 27-7.

The kickoff was scheduled for 10 p.m. ET, and as per the latest betting odds, the 49ers were favored by 1.5 points, with an over/under set at 38.5 total points scored. Hochman, recognized as a leading sports handicapper since the 1990s, holds an impressive record of 99-88-3 (+686) over the past five NFL seasons. His insights suggested a lean towards the Under for the combined points, estimating that neither team would surpass the total, as evidenced by their backup quarterbacks playing predominantly in the preseason openers.

Hochman pointed out that in their recent encounters, including both preseason and regular season bouts, the total points often remained below 39. In the previous year, Los Angeles showed a strong trend of hitting the Under, with a record of 11-6-1 (64.7%). San Francisco, dealing with injuries, would likely be without several key offensive players, further supporting Hochman's prediction for a low-scoring game.