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Los Angeles scored 13 unanswered fourth-quarter points in the victory despite being down its two best receivers.
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams celebrates after defeating the San Francisco 49ers.

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) celebrates after the Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP/Ashley Landis)

By Daniel Palmore

September 23, 2024 at 9:23 am PDT

It is not an exaggeration to say that the Los Angeles Rams saved their season on Sunday. The 2018 Houston Texans are the only team in NFL history to make the playoffs after an 0-3 start, and through the first three quarters against the San Francisco 49ers this weekend, it looked like the Rams were going to join that Texans team.

Down All-Pro wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the Rams managed to score only one touchdown by way of a 15-yard catch from running back Kyren Williams. Defensively, Los Angeles had no answers for 49ers wide receiver Juan Jennings, who caught two of his three touchdowns in the first half.

In the second half, LA turned it around on both sides of the ball and overcame a 10-point deficit to secure its first win of the season. With 3:53 remaining in the third quarter, Williams scored his second touchdown of the game to make it a one-score game. Following the scoring drive, both teams kicked field goals, and the score was 24-17 with just over six minutes remaining.

After 49ers kicker Jake Moody missed a 55-yard field goal attempt, Los Angeles got the ball back with a chance to tie or win the game with 2:47 remaining. The Rams quickly got in the endzone as quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with wide receiver TuTu Atwell for a 50-yard bomb to set the Rams up at San Francisco’s five. Williams punched the ball into the endzone to record his third touchdown of the game.

After forcing San Francisco to a quick three-and-out, Stafford put the Rams in field-goal position to win the game, and rookie kicker Joshua Karty nailed one from 37 yards out. The victory not only prevented the Rams from joining the 2018 Texas but gave the Rams their first home win over the 49ers since the NFC Championship game in the 2021-22 season.

Stafford finished the game with 221 yards and one touchdown, solid numbers considering he was down his two best wide receivers. The Rams had multiple players step up while the stars sat out, and six different receivers caught a pass with Tutu Atwell leading the way with 93 receiving yards. LA’s rushing attack was also critical in the victory as Williams ran for 89 yards after rushing for 75 yards combined in the Rams’ first two games of the season. Los Angeles’ 27 points scored on offense was a season-high and a drastic improvement after averaging just 15 points in the first two games of the season.

With no clear timetable for the return of Kupp and Nacua, Los Angeles will have to rely on their receiver-room depth step up in their absence. Atwell’s 93 receiving yards were the second-most he has had in a game in his career.

If the Rams want to continue winning games, they will need more production from their running backs. Even though Williams had a season-high 89 rushing yards, LA’s second-leading rusher, running back Ronnie Rivers, had just two carries for nine yards. After leading the Rams in rushing yards last week against the Arizona Cardinals, running back Blake Corum did not get any carries against San Francisco.

Despite playing better in the second half, LA’s defense still showed it has room to improve defensively. Quarterback Brock Purdy had 288 passing yards and three touchdown passes, and  Jennings had 11 catches for 175 yards in addition to his three scores. The 49ers offense also averaged 6.5 yards per play.

The most positive improvement is on the Rams’ rush defense. After giving up 197 rushing yards per game in the first two weeks, Los Angeles limited 49ers running back Jordan Mason to under 100 rushing yards for the first time this year. Mason was limited to 77 yards on 19 attempts and zero touchdowns.

Los Angeles will attempt to move back to .500 on the road next week against the 1-2 Chicago Bears, where rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has struggled so far in his rookie season with just two touchdown passes and four interceptions.