Golden Nuggets: Rare Saturday night appearance for the 49ers

Good morning everyone. In a rare Saturday night Football appearance, the 49ers will host the San Diego Chargers in a game that, for the first time since 2010, means nothing in the NFC playoff race. The 49ers were officially eliminated with their loss last week and I have to admit, I am struggling with getting a ton of enthusiasm for this game. I find it weird, because for the better part of my viewing history, the 49ers were bad and I never had any trouble getting psyched up to watch a sub .500 team play. Now we are seeing the last games for Jim Harbaugh, and probably the last games for Frank Gore and Justin Smith, and I really don't care if they win or lose. I don't understand it myself.

Unlike the 49ers, the Chargers are in the thick of the AFC Wildcard race along with several other teams. Normally, I would say that even at 7-7, the 49ers are easily the more talented football team. But this season, that obvious talent  just doesn't want to show up. Crippling injuries and playing for a coach that everyone knows is gone certainly plays into that. But even so, I find it hard to fathom how the 49ers have been so bad the past month plus.

Welp, after four years, we've gotten to that point in the season that I almost forgot existed. Where all the fans of bad teams honestly ask themselves if a relatively meaningless win is better than improved draft position. I had forgotten how much I hate those choices. To the links...

Kaepernick is auditioning for Harbaugh's successor in 2015 (Gin)

Michigan man? Harbaugh reportedly ‘torn’ about next move (Branch)

Jim Harbaugh weighing his options (Schefter)

49ers' Reid fined for unnecessary roughness (Maiocco)

49ers injury report: Borland will not play (Gin)

Injury Report: Carlos Hyde Out, Frank Gore Questionable for San Diego (49ers)

Frank Gore transcript: RB candidly discusses future, frustrating ’14, best teammates … (Branch)

Greg Roman veers off script, criticizes a 49ers player (Barrows)

Lost season? Key 49ers spent considerable time on sideline (Maiocco)

PFF Preview: Chargers @ 49ers, Week 16 (PFF)