It isn’t an exaggeration to say that the Los Angeles Rams saved their season on Sunday. The 2018 Houston Texans are the one staff in NFL historical past to make the playoffs after an 0-3 begin, and thru the primary three quarters in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers this weekend, it seemed just like the Rams had been going to hitch that Texans staff.
Down All-Professional vast receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the Rams managed to attain just one landing by the use of a 15-yard catch from operating again Kyren Williams. Defensively, Los Angeles had no solutions for 49ers vast receiver Juan Jennings, who caught two of his three touchdowns within the first half.
Within the second half, LA turned it round on either side of the ball and overcame a 10-point deficit to safe its first win of the season. With 3:53 remaining within the third quarter, Williams scored his second landing of the sport to make it a one-score recreation. Following the scoring drive, each groups kicked area targets, and the rating was 24-17 with simply over six minutes remaining.
After 49ers kicker Jake Moody missed a 55-yard area aim try, Los Angeles bought the ball again with an opportunity to tie or win the sport with 2:47 remaining. The Rams rapidly bought within the endzone as quarterback Matthew Stafford linked with vast receiver TuTu Atwell for a 50-yard bomb to set the Rams up at San Francisco’s 5. Williams punched the ball into the endzone to report his third landing of the sport.
After forcing San Francisco to a fast three-and-out, Stafford put the Rams in field-goal place to win the sport, and rookie kicker Joshua Karty nailed one from 37 yards out. The victory not solely prevented the Rams from becoming a member of the 2018 Texas however gave the Rams their first dwelling win over the 49ers for the reason that NFC Championship recreation within the 2021-22 season.
Stafford completed the sport with 221 yards and one landing, stable numbers contemplating he was down his two finest vast receivers. The Rams had a number of gamers step up whereas the celebs sat out, and 6 completely different receivers caught a move with Tutu Atwell main the way in which with 93 receiving yards. LA’s dashing assault was additionally important within the victory as Williams ran for 89 yards after dashing for 75 yards mixed within the Rams’ first two video games of the season. Los Angeles’ 27 factors scored on offense was a season-high and a drastic enchancment after averaging simply 15 factors within the first two video games of the season.
With no clear timetable for the return of Kupp and Nacua, Los Angeles should depend on their receiver-room depth step up of their absence. Atwell’s 93 receiving yards had been the second-most he has had in a recreation in his profession.
If the Rams need to proceed successful video games, they’ll want extra manufacturing from their operating backs. Despite the fact that Williams had a season-high 89 dashing yards, LA’s second-leading rusher, operating again Ronnie Rivers, had simply two carries for 9 yards. After main the Rams in dashing yards final week in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals, operating again Blake Corum didn’t get any carries in opposition to San Francisco.
Regardless of enjoying higher within the second half, LA’s protection nonetheless confirmed it has room to enhance defensively. Quarterback Brock Purdy had 288 passing yards and three landing passes, and Jennings had 11 catches for 175 yards along with his three scores. The 49ers offense additionally averaged 6.5 yards per play.
Probably the most optimistic enchancment is on the Rams’ rush protection. After giving up 197 dashing yards per recreation within the first two weeks, Los Angeles restricted 49ers operating again Jordan Mason to below 100 dashing yards for the primary time this 12 months. Mason was restricted to 77 yards on 19 makes an attempt and 0 touchdowns.
Los Angeles will try to maneuver again to .500 on the street subsequent week in opposition to the 1-2 Chicago Bears, the place rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has struggled to date in his rookie season with simply two landing passes and 4 interceptions.