SANTA CLARA, Calif. — It’s occurring.
Once more.
The Rams rebounded from a dismal first half of the season and they’re making a run for the playoffs.
Once more.
Regardless of a nebulous efficiency on offense towards the San Francisco 49ers, coach Sean McVay’s group is now the one no person within the NFL needs to play.
Once more.
On Thursday night time, the Rams defeated the 49ers 12-6 at Levi’s Stadium.
Joshua Karty kicked 4 discipline objectives, Kyren Williams rushed for 108 yards, and cornerback Darious Williams intercepted a fourth-quarter move because the Rams improved their report to 8-6.
The Rams’ Kyren Williams (23) finds operating room towards the 49ers.
(Jed Jacobsohn / Related Press)
Whereas it may not have been painful to look at, it left the Rams feeling nice.
With good cause.
The Rams have gained three video games in a row for the primary time in a season that started with a 1-4 begin. In addition they swept the 49ers for the primary time since 2018, when McVay led the Rams to Tremendous Bowl LIII in his second season.
In September, the Rams wanted a patented Matthew Stafford fourth-quarter comeback and a last-second discipline purpose by Karty to beat the 49ers 27-24 at SoFi Stadium.
Stafford largely struggled Thursday — he accomplished 16 of 27 passes for 160 yards — however Karty was good, making kicks from 48, 23, 27 and 29 yards.
The Rams have been coming off a 44-42 victory over the highly effective Buffalo Payments, a win that showcased a seemingly constant offense together with a protection that struggled in matchups towards highly effective offenses such because the Philadelphia Eagles and the Payments.
The Rams stay in second place within the NFC West. The Seattle Seahawks (8-5) are in first place, the Arizona Cardinals (6-7) in third, and the defending NFC-champion 49ers (6-8) are in all probability out of the playoff hunt.
With the victory, the Rams have a mini-bye of types this weekend earlier than touring to play the New York Jets subsequent Sunday.
They are going to end the season with dwelling video games towards the Cardinals and the Seahawks.
The rating was tied, 3-3, at halftime as each offenses struggled to execute within the rain.
The skies cleared after halftime however the Rams remained in a fog: They went three and out on the primary possession of the third quarter.
Rams security Kamren Kinchens knocks away a move supposed for 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel.
(Jed Jacobsohn / Related Press)
The Rams acquired a break when 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel dropped a third-down move over the center that may have resulted in an enormous play or landing. As an alternative, the 49ers needed to accept one other Jake Moody discipline purpose and a 6-3 lead.
Then the Rams’ offense lastly got here collectively.
Kind of.
Stafford directed a 17-play, 65-yard drive that consumed practically 10 minutes. The Rams acquired to the four-yard line earlier than penalties killed the menace and compelled the Rams to accept one other Karty discipline purpose early within the fourth quarter.
After forcing the 49ers to punt, the Rams lastly reduce free.
Kind of.
Stafford linked with Puka Nacua for a 51-yard move play that moved the ball contained in the 20-yard line, however the drive stalled and the Rams settled for Karty’s third discipline purpose.
The 49ers then drove to the Rams’ 34-yard line, however Williams’ interception ultimately zone quelled the menace.
The Rams acquired the ball with simply over 5 minutes left and used practically all of it throughout a drive that ended with Karty’s ultimate discipline purpose with 18 seconds left.
