The Los Angeles Rams scored 44 points in Week 14. The San Francisco 49ers put up 38 on that same Sunday. But on Thursday night, these two teams combined for a total of 18 points and no touchdowns in a sloppy game at Levi’s Stadium that essentially knocked the 49ers out of playoff contention.
It was ugly and lacked exciting plays, but the Rams found a way to win thanks to a strong run game and a dominant effort from Chris Shula’s defense. They held on to beat the 49ers, 12-6, grabbing their eighth win of the year to improve their record to 8-6.
The Rams’ winning streak has now stretched to three games, which is also the same number of games they’ve won in a row against the 49ers – their first three-game winning streak over San Francisco since 2000-2001.
Here’s how it went down in Santa Clara.
Final score: Rams 12, 49ers 6
Game notes
- The Rams only punted twice last week against the Bills and they exceeded that number on Thursday night after just three drives. They went three-and-out on each of their first four possessions, failing to pick up a first down until early in the second quarter.
- Combined, the Rams and 49ers punted seven times in the first quarter alone in what was a painfully slow start to the game. The rain was certainly a factor early on, causing drops by both teams.
- The Rams finally got in a little bit of a rhythm in the second quarter with two drives that had multiple first downs, but both stalled. Joshua Karty did make a clutch 48-yard field goal with 1 minute left in the second quarter, tying the game, 3-3.
- The game was 3-3 at halftime with the two teams combining for 11 punts and just 197 total yards and nine first downs. The Rams averaged 2.9 yards per play in the first half.
- The 49ers went up 6-3 with a 47-yard field goal by Jake Moody in the third quarter, giving San Francisco its second lead of the game. The Rams tied it at six apiece early in the fourth quarter with a 23-yard field goal after the offense stalled in the red zone, largely due to a holding penalty on Davis Allen.
- According to the Prime broadcast, this was the first Rams-49ers game ever without a touchdown in the first three quarters. Cooper Kupp was also held without a catch through three quarters for the third time in his career and just the first time since 2019.
- The Rams finally got a spark in the fourth quarter when Stafford hit Puka Nacua for a 51-yard bomb down the field, setting up the offense inside the 20. Unfortunately, three plays later, the offense stalled and settled for a 27-yard field goal to take a 9-6 lead.
- On the 49ers’ next drive, they got deep into Rams territory but Brock Purdy took a shot deep to Jauan Jennings, which was intercepted by Darious Williams on what was a fantastic play by the cornerback. It took any potential points off the board and preserved the Rams’ lead.
- Needing to just kill the clock, the Rams did just that on their final drive. They used up 4:56 and went 69 yards in 13 plays, icing the game and leaving the 49ers with just 18 seconds left with a six-point deficit.
It was over when…
… Stafford hit Colby Parkinson for a 14-yard gain on third-and-4 with 2 minutes left. That completion forced the 49ers to use their second timeout, making it almost impossible for them to get the ball back trailing 12-6.
3 stars of the game
No. 3 star: Kyren Williams – 29 carries, 108 yards. 2 catches, 4 yards
No. 2 star: Puka Nacua – 7 catches, 97 yards. 2 rushes, 11 yards
No. 1 star: Kobie Turner – 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, 2 TFL
Play of the game
The Rams were desperate for a big play on offense and they got one in the fourth quarter when Stafford chucked it deep to Nacua for a 51-yard completion to get Los Angeles into the red zone. It only led to a field goal, but it was the go-ahead score for the Rams in a close game.
PUKA DOWN THERE SOMEWHERE
📺: @NFLonPrime | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/QghFvRbxyq
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 13, 2024
Williams’ interception, which preserved the Rams’ lead, was an honorable mention for play of the game, too.
BIG TIME BY D-WILL!
📺: @NFLonPrime | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/xlSpe1Rbov
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 13, 2024
What’s next?
The Rams will have a few extra days of rest after this game before they get back on the field in Week 16. They’ll be on the road once again next week when they travel to East Rutherford for a game against the Jets. Kickoff next Sunday is set for 1 p.m. ET, so it’s an early one for the West Coast Rams.
