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Matthew Stafford and the Rams surprise the 49ers with a game-winning field goal


Matthew Stafford and the Rams surprise the 49ers with a game-winning field goal

Inglewood, Calif., Sept. 22, 2024 - Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throws a pass in front of 49ers defensive lineman Malik Collins during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The Rams scored 13 straight points to close out the game and pick up their first win of the season on Sunday afternoon. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams pulled off the perfect comeback on Sunday afternoon.

After Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers led for most of the game thanks to a stellar day from wide receiver Jauan Jennings, the Rams scored 13 straight points to close out the game and take the 27-24 victory at SoFi Stadium.

This gave the Rams their first win of the season and the 49ers, who were without their stars Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel Sr. and George Kittle due to various injuries, were ahead on the season with a record of 1-2.

Trailing 21-7 shortly after halftime, Stafford was able to chip away at San Francisco's lead in the second half. Running back Kyren Williams capped a quick drive late in the third quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run, his second of the day after a 15-yard catch in the second quarter.

Then, after both teams scored field goals early in the fourth quarter, Stafford launched a quick touchdown drive that lasted less than a minute and tied the game for the first time since the opening minutes. He found wide receiver Tutu Atwell 50 yards down the sideline to bring the Rams to the 5-yard line and eventually set up another Williams touchdown.

The Rams then forced a quick punt to get the ball back, and Stafford opened the drive by provoking a pass interference call that immediately put them in field goal position. That led to a 37-yard field goal by Joshua Karty, the first game-winning kick of his career.

Stafford completed 16 of 26 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown in the win. Williams had 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries and then another 27 yards and a touchdown on two catches. Atwell led the way with 93 yards on four catches. The Rams are still without star receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, who are out with ankle and knee injuries, respectively.

Purdy looked solid for most of the game, even though he wasn't able to use most of his weapons. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 292 yards with three touchdowns and had another 41 rushing yards on 10 carries. Jordan Mason added 77 rushing yards on 19 carries.

Jennings had a career-high performance for the 49ers, scoring three touchdowns and amassing 175 receiving yards on 11 catches. It was the first game of his career in which he had more than 100 receiving yards. He is now the first 49ers wide receiver to score three receiving touchdowns in a game since Terrell Owens did it in 2001.

McCaffrey has not played for San Francisco this season as he deals with a calf injury and Achilles tendinitis. He was placed on the injured list and will miss at least two more games. Kittle was taken out of Saturday's game with a hamstring injury and Samuel was ruled out with a calf injury. The latter two injuries do not appear to be as serious as McCaffrey's.

It led to a rare moment for the 49ers. Since the team signed McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers in the 2022 season, they have not played a game without McCaffrey, Kittle and Samuel simultaneously in the final 30 regular-season games. It was also the Niners' first game without Kittle and Samuel since a loss to the Dallas Cowboys in 2020.

Although the 49ers nearly made it without the offensive trio, their absence was felt late Sunday afternoon. The 49ers will look to end their two-game losing streak against the New England Patriots next weekend.

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