Puka Nacua (17) and the Los Angeles Rams did just enough on offense to beat the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Deebo Samuel has had a very quiet season. He complained this week about not getting the ball on social media.
The San Francisco 49ers clearly made it a point to target him more, and on one key third down in the second half Thursday night, Brock Purdy hit him in stride with a pass that probably should have been a touchdown. In any previous season of his career, Samuel would have taken that to the end zone. We’ve seen it many times before.
And Samuel dropped Purdy’s perfect pass. Plain and simple. You can’t complain about not getting the ball, then have it bounce off your hands when it comes your way in a key spot.
If there’s something to sum up the 2024 49ers, that play was it. A star player from the past, having a surprisingly bad season, had the chance to be the hero. And the ball went right through his hands.
The 49ers are back to two games under .500 after a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, who are right in the NFC West with an ugly but important 12-6 win. Purdy struggled, and a crucial fourth-quarter interception with the 49ers in range for a long field goal practically ended San Francisco’s chances. It probably ended their slim chances at the playoffs, too.
The Rams were a little tougher on Thursday night. They executed better. Like the rest of the 49ers’ lost season, when they should have been competing for a Super Bowl title, they were a disappointment.
Scoring was hard to come by
Here were the results of all the possessions in the first quarter by both teams: punt, punt, field goal, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt. The one decent drive and only points came from the 49ers, who led 3-0 after the first quarter. It was the first time a Sean McVay team ever started a game with four straight drives without a first down, according to Amazon Prime Video’s broadcast.
In other words, it was the type of Thursday night game viewers complain about when they talk about teams playing below their standards on short rest.
The 49ers defense did get off to a good start and linebacker Dre Greenlaw helped. Greenlaw, who tore his Achilles in a freak injury running onto the field during last season’s Super Bowl, was making his season debut and his presence was felt right away. Nick Bosa’s return from injury was also a key for the 49ers.
The defenses were playing well, and then the rain came. In the second quarter the downpour started, which made it even harder on the struggling offenses. The Rams got a drive going near the end of the second quarter, mostly moving it on the ground, and got a field goal to tie it before halftime. There was less than 200 yards in the first half and more punts (11) than first downs (nine).
Week 15 is start of the fantasy football playoffs for most leagues. Anyone who had any 49ers or Rams offensive players in the lineup had to be horrified by the first half.
Both teams have a hard time finding end zone
In the fourth quarter, Amazon flashed a stunning stat: In 152 meetings between the 49ers and Rams, Thursday night was the first time there were no touchdowns scored through three quarters.
The 49ers should have had a touchdown in the third quarter, but Samuel had a bad drop over the middle on a third down. The Rams finally got an explosive play to Puka Nacua downfield, but again they couldn’t punch in a touchdown. They kicked a field goal to take a 9-6 lead.
The 49ers’ season was on the line. At 6-7 coming in, they probably needed to win out. They hadn’t put together one touchdown drive all night. But if they wanted to stay alive in the playoff hunt, they needed to figure out a way. The ball was moving. Then Purdy got impatient, he far overthrew a deep ball to Jauan Jennings and it was picked off by Rams corner Darious Williams.
The 49ers got buried after that. The Rams went on a clock-eating drive and inside of the two-minute warning the Rams hit a huge third-down pass to tight end Colby Parkinson when he got a free release off the line. When the 49ers needed that stop to keep any realistic hope alive, they couldn’t get it. The Rams kicked a field goal with 18 seconds left.
The 49ers have lost four of their last five games. It’s a team that should still be in a Super Bowl window, and that might resume next season. Injuries have certainly set San Francisco back. But being 6-8 in mid-December isn’t what the 49ers expected. If there was hope at a late-season turnaround, that melted away in the rain on Thursday night.
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The Rams just beat the Bills and the 49ers in a 5-day span, and they did it in 2 games that were so different they barely looked like the same sport. Remarkable achievement.
The game ends fittingly. Brock Purdy faces immediate pressure on a Hail Mary and tries to scramble, but is brought down for a sack to seal it for the Rams.
The Rams have now won 7 of their last 9 and are a half-game behind the Seattle Seahawks for first in the NFC West. The Niners, at 6-8, are basically toast.
Deebo Samuel gives Niners decent field position
It has been a miserable night for Deebo Samuel, but he comes up big on the kickoff with a return to the 35, which is extended by a horse collar. Niners will take over at the 50.
FIELD GOAL: Rams extend their lead, but leave Niners a few seconds
The Niners get the stop they need. Their reward: a six-point deficit with 18 seconds left and no timeouts.
49ers had so many chances to grab a commanding upper hand in this game, but they blew them all…
-Bad play-calling after only explosive pass of game to Kittle -Multiple dropped INTs -Deebo Samuel dropped 3rd down/would-be TD -Purdy underthrow to Pearsall preceding INT
The Rams convert as Matthew Stafford finds Colby Parkinson. Desperation time for the Niners, who have one timeout with 1:55 left.
We’ve reached the 2-minute warning
There are two minutes left and the next play will be a big one. The Rams have 3rd and 4 at the San Francisco 32 and could end this with another first down or two.
INTERCEPTION: Brock Purdy picked off in the end zone
Woof. The Niners had reached as far as the Rams’ 33 when Brock Purdy decided to go deep into the end zone. Instead of Jauan Jennings, he found Rams cornerback Darious Williams. Los Angeles has the ball back with 5:14 left, up by a field goal.
FIELD GOAL: Rams take their first lead
Still no touchdowns. The Rams fail to advance much further and Joshua Karty adds a 17-yard field goal. That’s the first lead of the night for Los Angeles.
Matthew Stafford hits Puka Nacua for longest gain of the night
In one play, the Rams go from their own 33-yard line to the red zone, as Matthew Stafford hits Puka Nacua on a deep ball. Rams threatening to take their first lead of the night.
Niners go 3-and-out again
Today, the Niners have drives of one yard, six yards, seven yards, six yards and six yards. It hasn’t been a fun ride at Levi’s Stadium.
FIELD GOAL: Rams come up short in red zone, but tie the game
We still don’t have a touchdown tonight. The Rams got close, reaching the San Francisco 4-yard line, but a holding penalty pushed them back to the 12 and they failed to punch it in from there. Joshua Karty makes a 23-yard field goal to tie it.
Rams driving, convert 4th-and-1 in Niners territory
With Blake Corum in at RB for much of the drive, the Rams are getting close to the red zone. Matthew Stafford just converted a 4th-and-1 on a QB sneak.
Deebo Samuel with another drop
After complaining that he’s not getting the ball enough, Deebo Samuel drops a third-down pass that hit him right in the hands on a slant pattern.
That would’ve given the 49ers a first down. But instead, they have to settle for another field goal. Jake Moody’s 47-yard field goal puts San Francisco back on top, 6–3.
Receivers wish they could run like these corgis tonight
Where were the corgis?
Amazon deprived viewers of some halftime entertainment, folks.
3-and-out for Rams to begin 2nd half
The Rams weren’t able to spark any offense on their first possession of the second half. Kyren Williams gained five yards on two carries, but Matthew Stafford threw incomplete on 3rd-and-5.
San Francisco takes over at its 25-yard line after a 46-yard punt from Ethan Evans.
Halftime: Rams 3, 49ers 3
After a wet slog of a first half…
Rams total offense: 89 yards
Matthew Stafford 4/12, 23 yards Kyren Williams 14 carries, 44 yards Puka Nacua 3 catches, 19 yards
