Cross-state rivals will meet in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL Preseason when the Los Angeles Chargers host the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday. Historically, these franchises have faced off 45 times in the preseason, with San Francisco holding a 26-19 advantage.

Justin Herbert and Brock Purdy sat out in Week 1 but are expected to see action on Thursday. The 49ers fell in their first exhibition game, losing 19-13 to Tennessee, while L.A. triumphed with a 27-7 victory over Houston, led by former 49ers quarterback Trey Lance.

Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. According to the latest odds, the 49ers are 1.5-point favorites, with an over/under of 39 points as per SportsLine consensus.

Before making any bets, it's essential to consider expert analysis. Jeff Hochman, a respected handicapper with a record of 99-88-3 (+686) over the past five NFL seasons, has focused on this matchup. He suggests betting on the Under for the combined points, predicting a lower-scoring game due to both teams missing key offensive players.

Key betting lines include:

• Spread: 49ers -1.5
• Over/Under: 39 points
• Money Line: 49ers -124, Chargers +105

Hochman's analysis indicates that with both teams likely to have backup quarterbacks and missing star players like Christian McCaffrey and Mike Evans, the trends suggest a lower scoring affair. Notably, three of the last four matchups between these teams have also seen under 39 total points scored.

For those looking for more detailed insights and picks, check out Hochman's recommendations at SportsLine.