SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Just days after a thrilling high-scoring match, the Los Angeles Rams emerged victorious in a game that surprisingly lacked touchdowns, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 12-6 on Thursday night in a crucial NFC West showdown. Joshua Karty booted four field goals, enabling the Rams to clinch the win in a gritty contest that followed their recent explosive 44-42 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
Head coach Sean McVay expressed pride in his team’s ability to adapt to different game situations, remarking, “What’s really cool is this team has found a bunch of different ways to be able to win football games. You come off a 44-42 game the other day and then you win 12-6. Our group did what they needed to do to be able to get it done.” The Rams improved their record to 8-6, marking their seventh victory in nine matches after a rough start of 1-4, placing them just half a game behind division leaders Seattle. Notably, this marked the first time since 2016 that the Rams won a contest without scoring a touchdown.
The 49ers (5-8) held a 6-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter but ultimately fell short, a loss that significantly hurt their playoff aspirations as defending NFC champions. This defeat highlighted a troubling trend for the 49ers; they became the first team since New England in Bill Belichick’s inaugural season in 2000 to lose four games this season after leading by at least three points in the fourth quarter.
“It was the story of the year,” linebacker Fred Warner commented. “Just not doing enough to win games. Not playing complementary. Just coming out a little too short.” Karty tied the game with a 23-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, capping an impressive 17-play drive. He then followed up with a 27-yarder after quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with Puka Nacua on a long 51-yard pass.
Displaying reliability, Karty made all four of his kicks after experiencing misses in four of his previous five games as a rookie. Coach McVay called him “steady” and “unflappable,” indicating confidence in Karty’s abilities. The 49ers managed to push into scoring position, but Rams’ Darious Williams intercepted a deep pass intended for Purdy in the end zone, solidifying the Rams’ first series sweep against San Francisco since 2018. Stafford then led a drive that consumed time before Karty capped it off with a fourth field goal with just 18 seconds remaining. Stafford’s performance included completing 16 of 27 passes for 160 yards, with most coming in the second half as conditions improved.
“In the second half, the weather was good enough to do it all,” Stafford noted. “We had the feeling that that was the kind of way this game was going to be played, and it’s going to have to be one of those games. We scored 44 four nights ago and come out here and score 12 but they both count for one.” Purdy, quarterback for the 49ers, completed just 14 of 31 attempts for 142 yards, marking the first time since 2019 that San Francisco was unable to find the end zone in a game.
The first half was played under heavy rain, which severely affected the offensive production of both teams. The Rams, unable to record a first down in their initial four drives for the first time since 2013, finally managed to get on the board with a late field goal. San Francisco also struggled offensively, managing just one field goal amidst three quick possessions. The two teams combined for 11 punts, logging only nine first downs and 197 total yards, contrasting sharply with their recent high-scoring exploits.
While the rain subsided during halftime, offensive struggles persisted for both teams throughout the second half. Injury updates for the Rams included linebacker Nick Hampton, who left the game due to a chest injury. On the 49ers’ side, linebacker Dre Greenlaw made his return after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, recording eight tackles in the first half before seeing limited action thereafter. Additionally, safety Ji’Ayir Brown exited the game in the second half with a groin issue.
Looking ahead, the Rams will travel to face the New York Jets on December 22, while the 49ers head to Miami on the same day.