Live In-Game Updates: Rams Stifled on Offense, Fall 24-9 at 49ers
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers meet at Levi's Stadium on Monday Night Football to cap off Week 4 action.
A rivalry that has become one of the NFL's best over the years, the Rams and Niners clash for the first time since last season's NFC Championship, which saw LA prevail 20-17 before going to win Super Bowl LVI.
But it was the Niners who won the regular-season series, dominating the Rams 31-10 in the first meeting in San Francisco before pulling out an epic comeback to win 27-24 in overtime and secure a playoff berth.
"It's the next one," said Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford Thursday of Monday night's matchup.
That seems to be the expected veteran philosophy for the Rams against a heated NFC West rival. But even Stafford, who struggled against the Niners last season, couldn't hide some of the added weight that the game brings before quickly downplaying it.
"It feels like a big one," Stafford said. "Every game in the NFL is a big one. They all feel pretty big to me. But it is, like you said, a divisional game, on the road, Sunday at one…Monday night probably used to excite me a little bit more. It's a game that we're playing."
The Niners lead the all-time series 75-68-3 headed into the 147th meeting between the two teams. The Rams had lost seven of the last 10 - including six in a row dating back to 2019 - before last season's win in the conference championship.
Live updates will appear below at kickoff.
The Niners win the coin toss and will defer to the second half. The Rams receive the opening kickoff and will begin at their own 25-yard line.
FIRST QUARTER
Stafford begins the opening drive with three completions to receiver Cooper Kupp, who total 27 yards. But the 14-play, 54-yard drive was halted when Stafford was sacked at the Niners 28-yard line.
FIELD GOAL RAMS: The Rams had to settle for a 39-yard field goal from kicker Matt Gay to take a 3-0 lead after the opening drive.
Rams 3, Niners 0
change of possession
Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo completed three passes of 10 yards or more on San Francisco's opening drive, as the run game was being halted by the LA defense.
TOUCHDOWN NINERS: But all the Niners needed was one big play to break it open, as running back Jeff Wilson Jr. took the pitch 32 yards to the house.
Niners 7, Rams 3
change of possession
The Rams quickly went three-and-out, as Niners defensive end Nick Bosa pummeled Stafford on third down for a nine-yard sack.
change of possession
Garoppolo found receiver Deebo Samuel for a 15-yard completion to end the first quarter.
END OF FIRST
SECOND QUARTER
The Niners picked up another first down on an 11-yard catch from receiver Brandon Aiyuk but punted three plays later.
change of possession
San Francisco's defense continued it's strong start to the half by forced a second straight three-and-out. After the punt, the Niners will begin the next drive at their own 22-yard line.
change of possession
Three incompletions on three plays from Garoppolo resulted in a three-and-out for the Niners as well, punting it back to the Rams, who began at their own 35-yard line.
change of possession
Stafford found Higbee for a seven-yard gain on a screen to pick up the first down before connecting with Kupp for an 18-yard gain.
But despite the promising drive, the Rams had to settle for a field goal after failing to convert on 3rd and goal from the 11-yard line.
FIELD GOAL RAMS: Gay connects on a 29-yard field goal after LA field to cap off a 10-play, 54-yard drive with a touchdown.
Niners 7, Rams 6
change of possession
San Francisco
TOUCHDOWN NINERS: Faced with 3rd and 3, Garoppolo found Samuel for a 57-yard catch-and-run that saw him break a handful of tackles on the way to the end zone.
Niners 14, Rams 6
change of possession
The Rams nearly went three-and-out again, but Stafford found Kupp for a seven-yard catch on third down before connecting with him again on the next play.
But back-to-back sacks killed the drive, as Stafford was hit hard on both takedowns.
change of possession
The Niners tried to put together a quick drive before half, but it stalled.
HALFTIME: Niners 14, Rams 6
THIRD QUARTER
The Niners punted after five plays on their opening drive of the half.
change of possession
Stafford and the Rams had three completions of 10 yards or more, leading LA all the way down to the red zone and the 49ers seven-yard line.
But the Niners' defense halted the drive, dropping an easy interception on 3rd and goal.
FIELD GOAL RAMS: This allowed Gay to connect on a 26-yard field goal, his third of the game.
Niners 14, Rams 9
change of possession
San Francisco began the first drive with a 35-yard catch-and-run by fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
Wilson Jr. then took three straight carries for a total of 21 yards to get the Niners in the red zone.
The Niners nearly had a touchdown with a pass to tight end George Kittle, but he didn't hit both feet down in the back of the end zone.
END OF THIRD QUARTER
FOURTH QUARTER
FIELD GOAL NINERS: San Francisco settled for a 25-yard field goal from kicker Robbie Gould.
Niners 17, Rams 9
change of possession
The Rams, still within one possession, were once again forced to punt after going three-and-out.
change of possession
The Niners nearly had a three-and-out of their own, but had a short pass to Samuel go for 29 yards after the catch.
LA forced San Francisco into 42-yard field-goal attempt from Gould, but he pulled it left to keep it a one-score game at 17-9.
change of possession
Stafford completed his first three passes on the drive, getting LA to the Niners 44-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN NINERS: Niners safety Talanoa Hufanga breaks on the short throw by Stafford and returns it all the way for a 52-yard touchdown.
Niners 24, Rams 9
change of possession
Stafford led the Rams on a 12-play, 50-yard drive, but
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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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