Rams use frantic rally to slay 49ers

League: NFL


Posted on: 22 Sep, 2024 at 11:56 PM

Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Joshua Karty hit a 37-yard field goal with two seconds remaining and the Los Angeles Rams pulled off an improbable 27-24 victory over the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday by scoring 13 points in the final six minutes, 15 seconds.

Matthew Stafford was 16-of-25 passing for 221 yards and a touchdown, while Kyren Williams ran for 89 yards and two scores on the ground, with one more receiving, as the Rams (1-2) ended a five-game home losing streak against the 49ers.

Tutu Atwell had four receptions for 93 yards as the Rams overcame two separate 14-point deficits.

Brock Purdy was 22-of-30 passing with 292 yards for the 49ers (1-2) and connected on three touchdown passes with Jauan Jennings, who had 11 receptions for 175 yards. Jordan Mason rushed for 77 yards for San Francisco.

After getting a 33-yard field goal from Karty with just over six minutes left to pull within 24-17, the Rams then went on a three-play 55-yard drive to score on a 3-yard run from Williams with 1:51 to play and tie the score at 24.

Los Angeles forced a San Francisco punt with under a minute to play and rookie Xavier Smith returned the kick 38 yards to the 50-yard line. A 49ers' pass interference penalty moved the ball to the 19-yard line before Karty made the game-winner in his third NFL game.

Both teams were missing key offensive weapons. The 49ers were without running back Christian McCaffery (calf, Achillies), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf) and tight end George Kittle (hamstring). The Rams were without wide receivers Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle).

The 49ers took the opening possession of the game and went 70 yards in eight plays, while taking a 7-0 lead on Purdy's 13-yard TD pass to Jennings. After holding Los Angeles to a three-and-out, San Francisco got the ball back and went 77 yards in 13 plays, scoring on Purdy's 4-yard strike to Jennings.

The Rams got on the scoreboard with 1:11 remaining in the first half when Stafford connected on a 15-yard TD pass to Kyren Williams.

San Francisco turned its opening possession of the second half into an 11-play, 91 yard drive that ended with a 31-yard TD catch by Jennings for a 21-7 lead. Again, the Rams pulled within one score when Williams scored on a 3-yard TD run with 3:53 remaining in the third quarter.

San Francisco went up 24-14 with 11:57 to play on a 26-yard field goal from Jake Moody.

--Field Level Media