National Football League

NFL Preseason: Top moments from 49ers vs. Chargers and Giants vs. Browns

Updated Aug. 22, 2021 11:08 p.m. ET

Following Saturday's 10-game slate of preseason action in the NFL, Sunday features a pair of NFC vs. AFC battles.

First, the New York Giants visited the Cleveland Browns to kick off the day's proceedings.

The Browns were able to defend their home turf and pull out a 17-13 win over the Giants after spending the previous week together in joint practices.

Later, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers went head-to-head in an all-California rivalry at SoFi Stadium.

And Northern California came out on top, as Trey Lance tossed two touchdown passes to lead the 49ers to a 15-10 win.

Here are the top moments from Sunday:

San Francisco 49ers 15, Los Angeles Chargers 10

Eventful start for Jimmy G

Jimmy Garoppolo might not be known as a mobile quarterback, but he was able to show off his speed and elusiveness early in the first quarter.

His 10-yard scramble picked up a first down for the 49ers, but the good vibes didn't last long, with Garoppolo throwing an interception soon after.

Chargers rookie Asante Samuel Jr. was the man on the other end of the interception, looking much like his father Asante Samuel, who recorded 51 interceptions in his career.

Points on the board

The first points of the game didn't come by way of touchdown or field goal from either team, but instead a safety.

49ers defensive end Jordan Willis was able to get around the Chargers' offensive line to record a sack and get the 49ers on the board with a two-point lead.

Defense to offense

The 49ers made a quarterback switch to Trey Lance in the second quarter, but the results weren't much different from Garoppolo.

Lance threw an interception, marking two turnovers in the first half from the 49ers' quarterbacks.

And while the Chargers weren't able to capitalize on their first takeaway, they made sure to turn their second one into points.

Coming out party

Justin Herbert's job as the starting quarterback for the Chargers is not in jeopardy, but the team might have a quality backup on its hands.

Easton Stick had a productive first half for the Chargers that included a touchdown pass and then a beautifully placed 39-yard bomb to Jalen Guyton.

Bouncing back

Lance got off to a shaky start with an interception on his first drive, but he was able to rebound nicely to bring the 49ers within striking distance before halftime.

First, he connected with Trent Sherfield for a 41-yard gain through the air.

He then finished the drive with a touchdown pass to Mohamed Sanu.

Positive momentum

Lance was able to find his footing before the half and that positive momentum carried over into the second half.

He ended the second quarter with a touchdown drive and opened the third quarter with one, this time to Travis Benjamin.

And for the first time since the first quarter, the 49ers had the lead.

That proved to be all of the scoring that the 49ers needed to hold on for a 15-10 win over the Chargers.

Cleveland Browns 17, New York Giants 13

Barkley update

Giants superstar running back Saquon Barkley won't take the field on Sunday, and NFL Network's Ian Rapaport gave an update on his status after missing last season with a torn ACL.

And all signs point toward Barkley being back in the fold before the season begins.

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Opening up a Case

Now to the games. And yes, this is a Case Keenum reference.

The veteran QB started for the Browns on Sunday, and on Cleveland's opening drive, Keenum took the Browns 81 yards over the course of 10 plays, finishing with a 7-yard touchdown pass to KhaDarel Hodge on fourth-and-goal.

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Patience is key

One thing that's become evident so far? Both teams are really into taking their time.

Cleveland's opening TD drive took 5:33 off the clock, and the Giants' response – capped off by a 1-yard rush from Devontae Booker after an 11-play, 75-yard drive – took 6:47.

I'll take that

After the offenses got some early shine, it was time for the defenses to make an impression.

Following Booker's touchdown run, the Giants ended what looked to be another long ⁠— and productive ⁠— drive from Cleveland with an interception in the end zone.

Quincy Wilson was the man on the spot for New York, taking the ball out of the end zone to around the 15-yard line. However, the Giants weren't able to maintain that momentum and had to punt it away after going three and out.

Neither team managed to put up points in the second quarter, sending the game knotted up at 7-7 heading into the half.

Breaking the tie

The Browns gave their home crowd a reason to celebrate in the third quarter when they were able to regain the lead over the Giants.

Running back John Kelly capped off the Browns scoring drive with a 5-yard touchdown. That score, along with the successful extra point, gave the Browns a seven-point lead that they would nurse going into the fourth quarter.

Tough response, but not enough

The Browns were able to take the lead and hold control for the majority of the fourth quarter, until the Giants were able to get back on the board.

Wide receiver David Sills hauled in an 8-yard touchdown in traffic to end an eight-play, 72-yard drive for the Giants.

Unfortunately for them, they were not able to convert their two-point conversion attempt, which resulted in them still trailing 14-13.

In the end, the Browns held on for a 17-13 lead to advance to 2-0 in the preseason.

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