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Resilient Rams beat the 49ers and maybe save their season


Resilient Rams beat the 49ers and maybe save their season

The Los Angeles Rams almost pulled off a miracle that led to the parting of the Red Sea.

How else to explain the massive exodus of San Francisco 49ers fans who filled SoFi Stadium for most of Sunday, only to leave with hoarse voices and a terrible memory?

When the Rams came back with a bang, erasing a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 27-24, there was a sea of ​​red heading for the stadium exit with their chins held high.

The Rams (1-2) not only won a game, but probably saved their season.

For teams, the chances of recovering from an 0-3 start and making the playoffs are as good as being struck by lightning.

But the Rams struck back with tremendous thunderbolts.

Their defense performed strongly in the final quarter, an unknown punt returner (Xavier Smith) gave the Rams good field position, a known but mediocre receiver (Tutu Atwell) made a great catch, and quarterback Matthew Stafford kept his cool while the Rams heated up.

“A group that never wavered, just kept going,” Stafford said.

This includes rookie kicker Joshua Katy, who hit the goal posts with a 37-yard field goal, thus putting an end to the Rams' winning streak.

“A lot of guts,” said coach Sean McVay. “A lot of bite.”

The fact that these qualities emerged one week after the Rams' loss to the Arizona Cardinals only reinforces our belief that this result will lead to a positive development.

It was an impressive comeback that will be remembered for a long time on an afternoon when the Rams were missing two Pro Bowl wide receivers and playing with an offensive line that was put together like a puzzle.

Whatever the case, it did serve to silence San Francisco fans who regularly turn the Rams' stadium into Levi Stadium South.

Strange ending, because it seemed like the Niners already had this game in the bag.

They managed more than 100 yards more than the Rams, thanks in part to LA's lack of pass rush.

To be fair, SF was without its offensive stars, running back Christian McCaffrey and pass catchers George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, but the Rams' arch-rivals were still favorites to score a touchdown, even though it was an away game.

The Rams rose to the challenge, took a hit, but did not let it discourage them. In a game where the clock showed 60 minutes of play, the Rams led by a full two seconds.

They stuck around just long enough to show the Niners.

“There are games you can't wait to play when everyone is doubting you,” said running back Kyren Williams, who scored two rushing touchdowns and another through the air. “Everyone is doubting you and everyone is thinking, 'There's no way the Rams are going to win. The Rams are going to start 0-3.'”

Instead of putting that idea in the Rams' heads, they ignored it. Instead of conceding defeat and playing dead against the NFC champions, they showed what champions are made of.

Instead of jumping into the great outdoors with the victory, 49ers fans shuffled away like someone who missed the last train.

Stafford, of course, was the engine of that locomotive that knocked the Niners off course. He threw a 50-yard pass to Atwell to set up Williams for his third touchdown, and when the defense forced SF to punt, the kicks were just beginning.

Smith, who was just promoted from the practice squad, returned a punt 37 yards, putting him in Rams history as he faced the 49ers. Atwell, who had more downs than ups with LA, contributed to a pass interference call that moved the ball to the Niners' 25-yard line.

This set the stage for Karty's final departure, but only after he produced a final result that left fans of both teams rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

“They kept competing,” said an appreciative McVay. “They kept fighting.”

So much so that the Rams' struggling season rested on the shoulders of the entire team.

Miracles happen, but only if a team doesn't give up before they bear fruit. The Rams held on to their belief and the Niners paid the price.

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