Coming off the worst-ever record in NFL history by a defending Super Bowl champion a season ago (5-12), Sean McVay's Rams have already looked better this season after pulling off a Week 1 upset win on the road in Seattle, despite being without one of their best players in receiver Cooper Kupp. With Stafford back under center after missing the team's final seven games with a spinal injury last season, L.A. would put up quite the fight against the Niners on Sunday and even provide a scare for much of the game. With a majority of the crowd at SoFi Stadium draped in 49er red as fans turned the venue into Levi's Stadium South like they so often do, the San Francisco offense got off to a quick start after receiving the opening kickoff. 49ers wide-receiver Brandon Aiyuk who received NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 1 for his two touchdown, 129 yard performance, appeared to be in line for another big day after catching a pair of passes for 25 yards on the opening-drive, but he would need medical attention just a few plays in after a neck injury. Aiyuk would eventually reenter the game, but was visibly bothered throughout the rest of the contest. Capping a 13-play, 75-yard drive would be 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey who put an exclamation mark on the initial drive with a 14 yard touchdown to give San Francisco an early 7-0 lead.
With the Rams offense entering the game having scored on five consecutive drives to finish out Week 1, they were right back at it on Sunday, scoring on all three of their first half possessions. After tying the game at 10-all, the Rams even took a 17-10 lead late in the second quarter following a pair of touchdowns from running back Kyren Williams who got the start in place of last week's starter Cam Akers and made the most of it. Just hours before kickoff, Akers; the subject of trade rumors, was ruled out as a healthy scratch. The Rams' rushing attack would do just fine without him. Refusing to head into the locker room at the half trailing, Brock Purdy and company needed only four plays to make it into the red zone. Setting up shop at the 1-yard line, time quickly became a factor for the 49ers who were knocking on the door of a game-tying touchdown, but had only 1-second remaining on the clock. Instead of electing to go for the much safer chip-shot field goal, coach Shanahan dialed up a Brock Purdy QB-sneak which proved successful and paid dividends, tying the game at 17-all at the half.
With both teams exchanging punts to open the second half, the 49ers struck first on defense by forcing the game's first turnover when Niners newcomer Isaiah Oliver tallied his first interception in a 49ers uniform, corralling a pass that was thrown behind the receiver and tipped into the air. The 49ers would turn the turnover into points as rookie kicker Jake Moody split the uprights with a booming 57-yard field goal to retake the lead. One possession later, San Francisco would add to their lead after Purdy connected thru the air on a 31-yard deep ball to receiver Jauaun Jennings to open the fourth quarter. The big gain would setup Deebo Samuel who would make his presence felt several plays later, breaking a pair of tackles before rumbling into the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown. Trailing by two scores, the Rams would inch closer with a Brett Maher field goal and had a chance to tie things up after forcing a three and out punt, but a second Matt Stafford interception would deal a blow to their comeback attempt. Jumping out in front of a Stafford pass intended for Van Jefferson, was San Francisco cornerback Deommodore Lenoir. Cashing the turnover in for another Jake Moody field goal, the 10-point lead and dwindling game clock would be too much to overcome for the Stafford and the Rams.
Held to a turnover on downs to start their last-ditch effort at a comeback attempt, the Rams eventually got the ball back and scored on a last-second field goal as time expired, making it a 30-23 win for the 49ers and ruining quite a few bets in the process with San Francisco failing to cover the -8 1/2 point spread. For the Niners, the win marked their 9th straight regular season victory over the Rams and their 12th consecutive regular season win overall, the second longest streak in franchise history. It would also be the fifth straight game with at least 30 points scored for SF. Leading the way on the ground was another impressive showing by 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey who led all rushers with 116 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, highlighted by a big 51-yard rush on the final play of the first quarter. L.A.'s rookie receiver Puka Nacua who was quite the story after an impressive stat line in Week 1, continued his torid pace with another 15 receptions for 147 receiving yards in the loss, becoming the first player in NFL history with 10+ catches & 100+ receiving yards in each of his first 2 career games. Also making franchise history for the 49ers was tight-end George Kittle who recorded career reception No. 400, becoming the fastest 49er to reach the feat and needing only 84 career games to do so, one game fewer than two franchise greats in Jerry Rice and Roger Craig, both of whom needed 85 games.
Brock Purdy threw for 206 yards in the win and avoided making any costly turnovers, but he missed on several deep balls to wide-open receivers that would've put the game out of reach for the Niners. While there's no reason to panic just yet given Purdy has been solid overall and is only two games removed from major elbow surgery, you'd like to see him make those plays as they could be the type of plays that can make a difference in a close game. Meanwhile, Matt Stafford threw for 307 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions in the loss.
Week 3 Preview: (2-0) San Francisco will make their home debut on Thursday Night Football when they welcome Daniel Jones and the (1-1) New York Giants into Levi's Stadium in Week 3. Avoiding disaster of falling to 0-2 on the season, the Giants erased a 20-0 first half deficit in Arizona to knock off the Cardinals by a field goal, 31-28. Scoring 24 unanswered-points to close out the win, the Giants did receive some unfortunate news regarding star running back Saquon Barkley who needed to be helped off the field in the second half with an injury. Described as an ankle sprain, early indications had Barkley listed as week to week, but now it appears he's listed as questionable for game day and will be a game-time decision. With the quick Thursday night turnaround, I would bank on the Giants taking a much safer approach and sitting Barkley in favor of backup running back Matt Breida who will get a crack at his former team. On the 49ers front, receiver Brandon Aiyuk will also sit out of Thursday's game due to his shoulder injury. Still seeking his first QB sack of the season, I’m expecting a big game for Niners defensive-end and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa. Prediction: Bosa will record 2.5 sacks along the way to helping the 49ers improve to 3-0.
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