The Los Angeles Rams secured a hard-fought 12-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night, a stark contrast to their high-scoring shootout just four days prior. This pivotal NFC West matchup saw kicker Joshua Karty become the unlikely hero, booting four field goals to propel the Rams to victory in a game marked by torrential rain and defensive dominance. The win moves the Rams (8-6) to within a half-game of the division-leading Seattle Seahawks.
The game was a defensive struggle from the outset. A downpour in the first half significantly hampered both teams’ offensive performances. The Rams, surprisingly, failed to achieve a first down on their first four drives – a stat that hadn’t occurred since 2013. The 49ers also struggled, going three-and-out on three separate possessions. The combined offensive output of both teams in the first half was meager, a stark contrast to their recent high-scoring affairs, further highlighting the impact of the weather conditions.
While the rain subsided somewhat after halftime, the offensive woes continued for both teams. The 49ers held a slim 6-3 lead heading into the final quarter, giving them a glimmer of hope for a crucial victory. However, Karty’s clutch performance proved to be the difference. He nailed a game-tying 23-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, culminating a 17-play drive. Later, following a crucial 51-yard pass from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua, Karty added another 27-yard field goal, extending the Rams’ lead.
The 49ers made a late push, driving into field-goal range, only to see Brock Purdy’s deep pass intercepted by Rams cornerback Darious Williams. This pivotal interception effectively sealed the fate of the game and dashed the 49ers’ playoff aspirations. The Rams then ran the clock down, culminating in Karty’s fourth field goal, his final points solidifying the Rams’ 12-6 victory with mere seconds remaining on the clock.
The Rams’ win marks their first series sweep against the 49ers since 2018 and underscores their resilience. For the 49ers (6-8), the loss is particularly devastating, marking the fourth time this season they lost to a divisional opponent after leading by at least three points in the fourth quarter. This dubious statistic hasn’t been seen since the 2000 New England Patriots under Bill Belichick. The game showcased two very different approaches, with the Rams’ grind-it-out field goal strategy ultimately proving successful against the high-flying 49ers. This victory could be pivotal as the season enters its final stretch, further tightening the NFC West race and influencing playoff seeding in the NFC. Stafford finished with 160 passing yards, while Purdy had 142 for the 49ers, underlining the overall low-scoring nature of the contest.
