The announced attendance Sunday was 44,680, but it appeared that no more than 30,000 fans showed up. This is tremendously embarrassing. Doug Johnson, an undrafted player from Florida, became the first rookie quarterback to start in the NFL this season. He took over for Chris Chandler, who was demoted to third string. The rookie's misery was epitomized by his final fumble, when he not only lost the ball but a shoe on a hit by Anthony Simmons.
Every quarterback has to go through that first game as a rookie.
Hopefully, it will get better. One week after the Chargers snapped their 11-game losing streak, they lost to tie the team record with their 12th loss. Garcia threw two touchdown passes to Jerry Rice, and with 323 yards had his fourth 300-yard game of the season. The 49ers, who didn't play last week, won their third straight game, and their 45 points were a season-high.