All Protection within the First Quarter
The primary quarter of this primetime recreation was made up of largely punts – seven between the 2 groups within the first quarter alone. The 49ers defensive unit was chargeable for forcing the Rams into five-straight punts to start out the sport (three three-and-outs) and didn’t permit a Los Angeles first down till roughy three minutes into the second quarter. San Francisco had a number of close to interceptions with the assistance of strain from the D-line and stable protection from cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and security Talanoa Hufanga. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw delivered three whole tackles within the first quarter together with the primary hit of the sport.
Second-year kicker Jake Moody was chargeable for San Francisco’s first factors of the sport and solely certainly one of two discipline targets within the first half by both staff. Moody sailed his 53-yard kick straight via the uprights to cap off the 49ers five-play, 39-yard second offensive possession.
Moody was additionally chargeable for placing up the 49ers first factors of the third quarter. San Francisco drove down the sector 34 yards to the Rams 29-yard line, and Moody took care of the remainder, drilling it from 47-yards out.
The Return of Dre Greenlaw
The veteran linebacker’s 2024 season debut is within the books, and his return offered a pleasant increase for the second degree of San Francisco protection. He closed out the night time tied for second-most tackles on the staff (eight) with Hufanga and behind Warner, who tallied 15. Greenlaw appeared minimally within the second half of Thursday night time’s contest on account of some Achilles soreness, per head coach Kyle Shanahan.
One of many Rams finest photographs at a landing was foiled by a full effort from all three ranges of the protection late within the third quarter. Los Angeles picked up some offensive momentum and had been capable of drive the ball down the sector to the 49ers eight-yard line on a 17-play drive. On third-and-four, the line of defense flushed Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford out of the pocket and right into a throw on the run to tight finish Colby Parkinson that was tipped and in addition defended with sticky protection by security Tashaun Gipson Sr.. The defensive unit was capable of drive the Rams to accept a discipline aim and restricted their result in three factors. Whereas the 49ers had been capable of maintain the Rams out of the top zone all night time, Los Angeles netted two fourth quarter discipline targets to seal the sport.
- LB Dee Winters exited the sport late within the first quarter with a neck harm. He was listed as questionable however did return to motion simply earlier than the beginning of the second quarter.
- S Ji’Ayir Brown was listed as questionable to return with a groin harm within the third quarter.
- LB Dre Greenlaw skilled Achilles soreness and fatigue in his first recreation again.