Until last week, the Rams had not started 0-2 under head coach Sean McVay.
Thanks to a courageous performance against the 49ers, they are not at 0-3.
Los Angeles scored 13 points in the fourth quarter and defeated the 49ers 27-24 on a 37-yard field goal by rookie Joshua Marty with just two seconds left on the clock.
The 49ers led 14-0 in the first half, 21-7 in the third quarter, and 24-14 in the final period, but were unable to win.
Los Angeles began its comeback in the first half, cutting San Francisco’s lead to 14-7 with a 16-play, 87-yard run before halftime. The Rams converted a fake punt before Kyren Williams caught a 15-yard touchdown with 1:11 left in the second quarter.
Although Jauan Jennings had a great day with three touchdown catches – including a 31-yard pass with 7:01 left in the third quarter – the Rams were able to extend their lead. Williams had a 3-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter that brought the score to 21-14.
After Jake Moody’s 26-yard field goal with 11:57 left in the game, the 49ers were unable to score again. Party managed a 33-yard field goal with 6:15 left, bringing the Rams within seven points. And after Moody missed a 55-yard attempt wide left with 2:48 left in regulation, it didn’t take long for Los Angeles to score.
Matthew Stafford threw a 50-yard pass from Tutu Atwell to the San Francisco 5-yard line. A few plays later, Williams darted up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown to tie the game at 24-24.
The 49ers had a chance to go down the field, but punted after Brock Purdy’s run on third-and-10 only gained 2 yards. Xavier Smith had an excellent return, running 38 yards to position the Rams at midfield.
San Francisco committed three penalties on the next play – holding, illegal use of hands and pass interference. But the latter was the most important as it put the Rams at the San Francisco 25. After a short run by Williams, Karty was in position for a 37-yard field goal and sank it to give the Rams their first lead of the game with just two seconds remaining.
The 49ers had a chance to do something crazy on the final snap, but even though the ball flew across the field, the Rams were able to eventually put the ball out of bounds and end the game.
Stafford finished the game completing 15 of 25 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown. Williams rushed for 89 yards on 24 carries, along with two catches for 27 yards and three total touchdowns.
With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua out due to injury, Atwell led the Rams with four catches for 93 yards.
On the other side, with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle all out, Jennings played the best game of his career with 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Brandon Aiyuk had five catches for 48 yards. Purdy finished the game completing 22 of 30 passes for 292 yards, three touchdowns and a lost fumble.
Currently sitting at 1-2, the Rams will travel to Chicago next week to play against the Bears.
Also 1-2, the 49ers will be back at home in Week 4 to face the Patriots.
