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Highlights & Takeaways From Rams’ Week 5 Loss To 49ers

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Kyren Williams, Rams, 49ers

The Los Angeles Rams didn’t have much time to celebrate their Week 4 win against the Indianapolis Colts as they turned around to host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5 on Thursday Night Football.

Like the Rams, the 49ers entered the game with a 3-1 record but played incredibly shorthanded because of all the injuries they suffered. San Francisco has been without George Kittle, but they also ruled out starters Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings. Meanwhile, Los Angeles ruled out Rob Havenstein and Tyler Higbee.

Historically, the Rams have struggled against the 49ers and the first half was no different as they allowed Mac Jones to dink and dunk the 49ers offense up the field. San Francisco capped their first offensive drive with a touchdown to Jake Tonges, making it 7-0.

Los Angeles looked out of sorts on their first drive, earning one first down before having to punt. San Francisco took advantage by utilizing McCaffrey as a runner and receiver, eventually scoring on a one-yard reception to make it 14-0.

Things went form bad to worse on the ensuring Rams drive when Blake Corum couldn’t handle a pitch from Matthew Stafford and the 49ers recovered the fumble. Fortunately, the defense forced San Francisco to punt it away and L.A. responded with an 85-yard drive that resulted in a receiving touchdown for Kyren Williams, making it 14-7. The 49ers came back and nailed a 59-yard field goal before the break to leave the Rams trailing 17-7.

Special teams issues came back to bite L.A. to begin the third quarter as Joshua Karty missed a 53-yard field goal. San Francisco took advantage of the good field position to nail their own field goal, extending their lead to 20-7.

Stafford took the game into his own hands, hitting chunk passes down the field and eventually finding Puka Nacua for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 20-14. From there, the Rams defense finally woke up as they forced the 49ers to punt on their next possession.

Stafford once again put the offense on his back, hitting his receivers and especially Davante Adams down field for multiple big plays. Stafford found Williams for the second time in the red zone to tie it at 20-20, but Karty’s extra point attempt was blocked.

After the two teams traded punts, San Francisco eventually regained the lead with a long field goal. On the ensuing Los Angeles possession, they were set up to score a touchdown but Williams fumbled the ball at the goal line.

The defense was able to force a punt deep within 49ers territory, allowing Stafford to march the offense up the field. Karty hit the 48-yard field goal to tie the game at 23-23 and force overtime.

San Francisco started overtime with the football and Los Angeles did well to limit them to a 41-yard goal after Byron Young and Kobie Turner sacked Jones. Down 26-23, Stafford led one more drive down field and set the Rams up well for the win after nailing a deep shot to Tutu Atwell.

On 4th-and-1 at the 49ers’ 11-yard line, head coach Sean McVay decided to run go for it and dialed a run up the middle for Williams. San Francisco stuffed Williams before the line to gain, resulting in a turnover on downs for Los Angeles and a heartbreaking loss.

What’s next for the Rams

The Rams get a mini bye having played on Thursday Night Football but will hit the road again for Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson is currently dealing with a hamstring injury so it will be interesting to see if he’s able to return for that game.

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