None were scored, but the Los Angeles Rams scored an important NFC West victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night, 12-6.
The Rams moved to 8-6, while the 49ers fell to 6-8.
Both quarterbacks, Matthew Stafford of the Rams and Brock Purdy of the 49ers, had great games in Week 14, leading many to believe that this game will be an offensive one.
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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, #17, walks down the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. (Photos by Cary Edmondson-Imagn)
Instead, with the first-half rain not helping, both offenses were disjointed, and big defensive plays were being made to keep some of the game’s best weapons with the ball in their hands.
The first half saw a total of six points put on the board, with the 49ers’ Jake Moody nailing a 53-yard field goal on second down, and Josh Karty finally getting the Rams on the board with 1:05 left in the half to tie the game. 3-3.
Every other drive resulted in punts – 11 to be exact – as the crowd at Levi’s Stadium began to complain about the lack of scoring.
CAN FAIR PLAYING PUKA NACUA KEEP THEM OUT OF GAME PROBLEMS?
When the second half began, back-to-back field goals made it 6-6, although the Rams were able to be the first team in the red zone with the ball all the way to the 49ers’ yard line. But still, no one got paid dirt.
The Rams were able to take their first lead of the game after forcing a three-and-out, and Puka Nacua, who had two scores and more than 170 yards in the previous game, broke free and had a 51-yard catch for a quick comeback. 49ers place.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, #13, throws against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. (Photos by Cary Edmondson-Imagn)
However, Los Angeles was unable to convert from two yards out for a first down, and Karty came through again for his third goal of the game.
Purdy and the 49ers’ offense would respond, and the signal-caller took a deep shot from Jauan Jennings, another receiver who scored two touchdowns in Week 14. However, veteran Darious Williams was the one who got the pass intercepted.
As head coach Kyle Shanahan couldn’t believe his eyes with the way his offense was playing, Stafford and head coach Sean McVay looked to be methodical to change the clock and hope to close out the game.
That’s exactly what happened, as Stafford dismantled a good 49ers defense, picking up a key first down in the passing game, while Kyren Williams chewed up the yardage.
Karty kicked his fourth field goal with 20 seconds left to force the 49ers to a touchdown for the win. With enough time left to do so, the Rams moved themselves into a big playoff opportunity, and the 49ers’ hopes were even slimmer than they had been.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings, #15, looks to the sideline before the Los Angeles Rams play in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. (Photos by Cary Edmondson-Imagn)
If you look at the box score, it wasn’t very good as Stafford went 16-for-27 for 160 yards, but Nacua accounted for 97 of those on seven receptions. However, the shocking thing was that Cooper Kupp did not even catch more than three goals.
Williams also totaled 108 yards on 29 carries to lead those scoring drives.
For the 49ers, Purdy was 14-for-31 for 142 yards with an interception, and George Kittle was his top receiver, with four catches for 61 yards.
It’s also fitting that Deebo Samuel Sr., who posted that he wants to get the ball more after not producing his usual amount this season, had a rocking performance this time around. He finished with just three catches for 16 yards and three yards on two carries.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, #9, calls a play against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. (Photos by Cary Edmondson-Imagn)
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And, perhaps the only touchdown of the game would come when Purdy hit Samuel right between the numbers on a slant route with tons of open field to work with in the Rams’ zone. However, Samuel dropped it and boos filled the field and rained down, as 49ers fans knew what their star had said going into the game.
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