Rams vs. 49ers Live In-Game Updates, Highlights: Los Angeles Wins 21-20
Welcome to Week 18, and welcome to Nacua Watch.
With just four receptions and 29 yards, Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua would break the NFL rookie record for catches (104) and receiving yards (1,473) in a season.
With stars on both sides of the ball absent, it’ll be the rookie who catches spectators’ attention against the San Francisco 49ers.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sport
San Francisco, having already locked up the conference’s top seed, will be without a handful of starters, including quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey. It’ll be Sam Darnold under center against a Rams defense that won’t have lineman Aaron Donald or linebacker Ernest Jones.
It’s necessary to note that a loss and a Green Bay Packers win over the Chicago Bears would demote Los Angeles to the seventh seed, all but ensuring a trip to Dallas, where the Rams fell 43-20 early in the season. A win, however, clinches the sixth seed and – likely – a storybook meeting with the Detroit Lions.
However, head coach Sean McVay has prioritized the health and rest of his best players, opting to face an NFC division winner at their best instead of risking injury for a slightly better matchup.
As for Sunday’s proceedings, explosive plays may dictate Los Angeles’ fate. The secondary has been inconsistent all season, and without the defense’s two best players, the Rams are bound to be less formidable. If Darnold can replicate Purdy’s success to any legitimate extent, there could be a handful of opportunities to break this one open.
Playing sound on the back end and having backup quarterback Carson Wentz keep the ball safe will be necessary steps in locking in a Wild Card date in Detroit.
WHAT: Los Angeles Rams (9-7) vs. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
WHERE: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA (68,500)
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, 1:25 p.m. (PT)
TELEVISION: FOX
RADIO: ESPN LA 710 AM, Tu Liga 1330 AM
ODDS: Rams +4.5 (-118), Moneyline: +165, Total: 40.5 (o -125,u +100)
Live updates will appear after kickoff.
FIRST QUARTER
49ers First Drive: San Francisco's first drive was a long one, culminating in an Elijah Mitchell rushing touchdown.
Darnold completed all five of his attempts for 49 yards, helping the 49ers complete a 12-play, 75-yard drive.
The Rams trail 7-0.
Rams First Drive: Los Angeles answered back with a double-digit play drive of its own.
Running back Ronnie Rivers saw four carries for 21 yards, but the drive was highlighted by a fourth-down conversion to tight end Davis Allen and Nacua's 19-yard touchdown grab.
For those counting at home, he has tied the rookie record for receiving yards and needs to more catches for the receptions record.
The Rams are tied 7-7 with 1:53 remaining in the first quarter.
49ers Second Drive: Offensive pass interference on receiver Deebo Samuel preceded a 15-yard gain by the game man. One play later -- a Jordan Mason rush -- the first quarter came to a close.
The Rams are tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
The drive would continue long into the second quarter. The 49ers would lean heavily on the run, rushing more than 10 times just on that drive.
Darnold would finish the drive off with a quarterback sneak and a score to take the lead.
The Rams trail 14-7 with 6:59 remaining in the second quarter.
Rams Second Drive: Wentz was intercepted by safety Tayler Hawkins.
49ers Third Drive: Offensive holding would set back San Francisco's next drive, and the 49ers wouldn't be able to move the chains after the penalty.
However, the field position earned by the interception rendered them close to kicker Jake Moody's range. He would eventually miss a 38-yard attempt, gifting the Rams a stop.
Rams Third Drive: Another unproductive drive from the offense at the hands of inefficiency. Wentz completed just two of four passes, and after Rivers managed just seven yards on two carries.
The Rams elected to punt.
49ers Fourth Drive: Darnold has done a good enough job to find success while complemented by a strong run game. The 49ers quickly worked their way back into the red zone in the waning minutes of the first half.
He would end the drive with a tight-window throw to receiver Ronnie Bell. Moody's extra point would be no good.
The Rams trail 20-7 with 11 seconds remaining in the first half.
Rams Fourth Drive: An attempt to funnel additional targets would be unsuccessful, and the short drive would stall out around midfield. They will receive the second-half kickoff.
The Rams trail 20-7 at halftime.
HALFTIME
Rams Fifth Drive: A seven-yard rush from Rivers would help Los Angeles move the chains on its first series of the half. He broke off an eight-yard run on the ensuing first down.
On the next two plays, Nacua would make consecutive catches for seven and five yards, respectively. He now holds the NFL rookie record for receiving yards and receptions, and will -- in all likelihood -- not play another down in the regular season.
After a chunk gain to tight end Brycen Hopkins to convert a third-and-17, the Rams would get themselves on the board. The 10-minute drive ended with a Wentz touchdown pass to receiver Tyler Johnson. Maher's extra point was no good.
The Rams trail 20-13 with 4:45 remaining in the third quarter.
49ers Fifth Drive: San Francisco started the drive with three rushes for a combined 13 yards. Darnold would follow that first down with three incompletions, leading to a punt.
The Rams trail 20-13 at the end of the third quarter.
Rams Sixth Drive: Another lengthy drive would allow Los Angeles to threaten, but ultimately come up empty.
Rivers saw three carries and running back Zach Evans found some action, too. In all, they would attempt a fourth-and-4 and come up short, turning the ball over on downs.
49ers Sixth Drive: The 49ers immediately punted after a three-and-out.
Rams Seventh Drive: A defensive pass interference call on Hawkins would set the Rams up in prime position to score.
On first-and-10 from the San Francisco 12-yard line, Wentz rushed up the middle for a score. They would then play for the win, attempting a two-point conversion. Receiver Tutu Atwell would make it count.
The Rams lead 21-20 with 4:56 remaining in the fourth quarter.
49ers Seventh Drive: Los Angeles found another quick defensive stop -- though it came by a thread. Receiver Ray-Ray McCloud's drop on an otherwise impressive play would prove too much to overcome.
Rams Eighth Drive: The Rams needed two first downs to ice the game, but only managed one. They'll punt with just over one minute remaining and ask the defense to find one more stop.
49ers Eighth Drive: A Darnold fumble, recovered by Los Angeles, would end it after a single kneel.
The Rams win 21-20 to clinch the NFC's sixth seed and finish with a 10-7 record.
