Joshua Karty booted four field goals, and the Los Angeles Rams emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 12-6 on Thursday night. This crucial NFC West showdown came just a week after the Rams secured a high-scoring shootout win. The Rams (8-6) managed to outlast the 49ers (6-8) in rainy conditions, moving within half a game of division-leading Seattle. It marked the first time since 2016 that Los Angeles won a game without scoring a touchdown.
The 49ers held a 6-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter but fell short, significantly damaging their fading playoff aspirations. This was the fourth time this season the 49ers lost to a division rival after leading by at least three points in the final quarter, a dubious distinction not seen since the New England Patriots in 2000 under coach Bill Belichick’s first season.
Karty tied the game early in the fourth quarter with a 23-yard field goal following a 17-play drive. He then added a 27-yarder after Matthew Stafford connected with Puka Nacua on a 51-yard pass. The 49ers had a chance to respond but Brock Purdy’s deep pass into the end zone was intercepted by Darious Williams, securing the Rams’ first series sweep over the 49ers since 2018.
Stafford then orchestrated a clock-draining drive, capped by Karty’s fourth field goal with just 18 seconds left. Stafford finished 16 of 27 for 160 yards, with most of his production coming in the second half. Purdy completed 14 of 31 passes for 142 yards, and the 49ers failed to score a touchdown for the first time since 2019.
The first half was played in heavy rain, significantly impacting both teams’ offensive performances. Neither team could generate momentum, with the Rams failing to secure a first down on their first four drives for the first time since 2013. The 49ers managed just one field goal after three consecutive three-and-out possessions. The teams combined for 11 punts, nine first downs, and 197 yards, a stark contrast to their season-high scoring totals just four days earlier.
The rain eased at halftime, but offensive struggles persisted.
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