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SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Diego Chargers (8-6) travel to the Bay Area to face the San Francisco 49ers (7-7) in a nationally televised contest at 8:25 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium. Here are three things we’ll be watching for on Saturday. 1. Get off to a fast start: The Chargers have not scored a point in the opening quarter of the past two games, both losses. Wrestling control of the game by getting some points on the opening drive on offense is important for San Diego on the road this weekend. The Chargers are 4-1 this season in games when they led at the end of the first quarter. 2. Run the ball with authority: The Chargers have not rushed for more than 100 yards as an offense in the past three games, and they are 1-2 in those contests. San Francisco’s defense has given up an average of 131 rushing yards a contest in the team’s past three games -- all losses. San Diego can’t expect Philip Rivers to sling the ball 40 times with an ailing back and chest in order to move the football. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich has to figure out a way to generate a consistent run game in order to protect Rivers. That is especially true without receiver Keenan Allen available. 3. Make Kaepernick play from within the pocket: Opposing defenses this season have done a good job of keeping San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick from breaking containment, making him complete passes from inside the pocket. Kaepernick has an 84.1 passer rating and has not thrown a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. He has yet to post a rushing touchdown after finishing with four last season. The Chargers have to stay disciplined in their rush lanes defensively, and not allow Kaepernick to gain confidence by making plays with his feet.
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