Niners pull out the win in back-and-forth sport in opposition to Rams

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Getting into Thursday night time’s sport in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers had zero receivers or tight ends on the roster who caught a move for them in 2024.

There was no George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall or Jauan Jennings accessible. They did not have beginning quarterback Brock Purdy, both. On paper, every little thing about Thursday night time screamed Rams in a runaway.

Every part, that’s, besides the scoreboard. The Niners got here up with their gutsiest efficiency of the primary 5 weeks, beating the Rams 26-23 and staking their declare to first place within the NFC West at 4-1 and 3-0 within the division.

As of their three different wins, the Niners had a number of shock heroes. This time, it was rookie defensive deal with Alfred Collins forcing and recovering a fumble at his personal aim line in regulation, with numerous quarterback Mac Jones and receiver Kendrick Bourne and kicker Eddy Piñeiro combined in. After which the Niners’ protection received the cease it wanted on fourth-and-1 in additional time to place it away.

Within the course of, coach Kyle Shanahan’s crew supplied loads of proof that this can be a group made from the best stuff. With just a few further days to relaxation, the Niners’ slate would not get any simpler from right here as they journey to Tampa Bay in Week 6.

However the further down time ought to assist the crew get comparatively wholesome, and Thursday’s win presents hope that this can be a season with loads of potential.

San Francisco 49ers (4-1)

Stat to know: The 49ers didn’t document an interception Thursday, making this their 12th sport in a row with out one relationship to final season — the longest in NFL historical past. That is a frustration level for the Niners, who get their palms on passes however are repeatedly unable to haul them in. That they had at the least two catchable interceptions in opposition to the Rams that they have been unable to safe in a sport the place even one may have made issues a lot simpler.

Most shocking efficiency: WR Kendrick Bourne.

Given all of the accidents at receiver, Bourne delivered for the Niners. He had a few hiccups, together with a third-down drop within the first half, however he bounced again robust after his three-drop efficiency in opposition to Jacksonville on Sunday. Bourne emerged as QB Mac Jones’ prime choice within the passing sport, ending with 10 catches for 142 yards, a profession excessive and solely his second time reaching triple-digit yardage in a sport.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Jones already proved his mettle to his teammates in his two earlier begins in opposition to the Saints and Cardinals, taking part in by means of a left knee harm within the late levels of the comeback win in opposition to Arizona.

However Thursday cemented that standing as Jones took massive hits and saved getting up. He got here out firing, and even after staying down holding that left leg within the second half, he returned for extra.

Jones completed 33-of-49 for 342 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. It stays to be seen when Brock Purdy will return from his toe harm, however the Niners are in good palms within the meantime.

Subsequent sport: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)

Los Angeles Rams (3-2)

It is simply 5 weeks into the season, however the Rams missed a possibility to take the lead — at the least quickly — in a aggressive NFC West.

Regardless of taking part in an injured 49ers crew lacking beginning quarterback Brock Purdy, broad receivers Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk, and tight finish George Kittle, the Rams fell to 3-2, failing to take benefit of their first divisional sport of the season.

An enormous blow was a fumble on the San Francisco aim line by working again Kyren Williams, who additionally had a drive-stalling dropped move earlier within the sport. The fumble was the crew’s second contained in the 49ers’ 25.

The Rams additionally had three dropped passes (one every by working backs Williams, Blake Corum and Jordan Whittington) on Thursday. Getting into the sport, the Rams had 4 drops whole of their first 4 weeks, in keeping with ESPN Analysis.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Stafford put the Rams in place to win the sport late within the fourth quarter and once more in additional time. He accomplished 30 of 47 passes for 389 yards and three touchdowns. Stafford’s 11 passing TDs this season are the third most in his first 5 video games of a season in his profession after 2011 (13) and 2021 (12, led Rams to Tremendous Bowl win).

Development to look at: Rams broad receiver Puka Nacua continued his torrid begin to the season, catching 10 of 12 targets for 76 yards and a landing. With 10 catches, he handed former teammate Cooper Kupp (49 in 2022) for probably the most receptions by a participant in his crew’s first 5 video games of a season in NFL historical past, in keeping with ESPN Analysis.

Stat to know: Williams had 12.2 yards of separation on the throw arrival on his second-quarter landing catch from Matthew Stafford, in keeping with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. That was the second-greatest separation on any passing landing this season. It was the third-most separation on any Stafford TD move because the begin of 2016 when Subsequent Gen Stats started monitoring the metric.

Subsequent sport: at Baltimore Ravens (1 p.m. ET, Fox)