Rams’ gain 49ers drives them closer to cover of NFC West

SANTA CLARA, Calif.– The Los Angeles Rams’ 12-6 triumph over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday evening drove them closer to the top of the NFC West and a playoff place.

The Rams got in the video game with a 35% opportunity to make the playoffs and a 32% opportunity to win the department, according to ESPNAnalytics Those numbers rose considerably after the triumph: The Rams’ playoff opportunities currently rest at 52% and winning the department at 49% going into the weekend break.

And probably most significantly, the Rams remain to regulate their fate with 3 video games left. The Rams finish their period at the New York Jets and home to the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.

The Rams have actually made the playoffs in 5 of the previous 7 periods under head instructor Sean McVay, consisting of a journey to Super Bowl LIII and a triumph in Super Bowl LVI.

At 8-6, the Rams currently rest half a video game rear of the NFC West- leading Seattle Seahawks.

But if the Rams are to make a playoff run, it will certainly call for some uniformity from their crime, a location that has actually been a battle.

Just 4 days after racking up a season-high 44 factors versus the Buffalo Bills– a group that had actually currently secured its department– Los Angeles had a hard time to relocate the round on a stormy evening.

In the initial fifty percent, the Rams had 89 backyards of crime, which is a period reduced. They selected it up in the 2nd fifty percent, do with 302 backyards in the triumph.

QB failure: Quarterback Matthew Stafford gone into Thursday having 4 straight video games with numerous passing goals and no interceptions, which is linked for the lengthiest energetic touch in the NFL and is linked for the lengthiest touch of his profession. He did not proceed that touch Thursday, finishing 16 of 27 masquerade 160 backyards in a video game without goals on either side.

Eye- standing out stat: For the very first time because McVay was employed in 2017, the Rams fell short to obtain an initially down on their initial 4 offending drives, according to ESPNResearch A week after racking up a season-high 44 factors, Los Angeles ended up the video game with just 14 initial downs.

Describe the video game in 2 words: Slow beginning. Against the 49ers, the Rams fell short to rack up in the initial quarter for the 9th time this period. According to ESPN Research, that is linked with the Bears for 2nd in the NFL. In the very damp problems, they fell short to locate means to constantly develop the run or obtain the round to pass receivers precede, placing added stress on the protection. — Sarah Barshop

Next video game: at Jets (1 p.m. ET, Sunday,Dec 22)

For the lion’s share of the previous 5 years, whenever the 49ers required a galvanizing win to press them onward to a postseason look, they have actually usually gained them versus the Rams.

On paper, Thursday evening established flawlessly for the Niners to create one more effective phase in their competition with Los Angeles and take a breath life right into their recently established playoff hopes. The return of linebacker Dre Greenlaw and protective end Nick Bosa from injury figured to provide an extra trigger for a group that has actually invested the previous 2 weeks mentioning the despair it requires to make a postseason press.

As has actually been the tale of the period in San Francisco, none of that sufficed. For a group that has actually won its share of antique NFC West slugfests, Thursday’s loss hammered home the factor that the Niners are no more kings of the department.

Although it was just 3 factors, the Niners blew a fourth-quarter lead of 3 or even more factors versus an NFC West challenger for the 4th time this period. It makes them the first string to do that because the 2000 New England Patriots and successfully eliminates San Francisco’s hope of a 3rd straight department crown and a playoff berth.

Sure, there are remote mathematical techniques for the Niners to still creep in, yet at 6-8 general and 1-4 in the department, they would certainly need to triumph. Considering they have not won greater than 2 video games straight this period, it’s challenging to think of that’s also feasible.

The following 4 weeks ought to just expose even more regarding where the Niners are headed in 2025.

P romising pattern: In a limited, low-scoring video game such as Thursday’s, unique groups figured to play a noticeable function in the result. Though the Niners got in rated 32nd in the organization in anticipated factors included through unique groups, there were no fingers to be directed at that device versus the Rams.

Kicker Jake Moody made his basket efforts, punter Pat O’Donnell was strong, and punting returner Jacob Cowing balanced 10.2 backyards per return It had not been an excellent efficiency (they had a set of 5-yard fines on puntings) yet the Niners usually had no back-breaking errors in the 3rd stage. That’s sufficient to certify.

QB failure: Brock Purdy was primarily strong in spite of the rainfall doing him no supports, yet the choice to toss deep that developed into an interception was the largest blunder of the video game.

Although Purdy has actually had a hard time in bad weather in various other video games, his numbers Thursday ought to have been much better than they were. Receivers Jauan Jennings andDeebo Samuel Sr incorporated for numerous decreases, consisting of a prospective goal to Samuel on a third-quarter angle over the center. Purdy ended up 14-of-31 for 142 backyards with an interception.

Pivotal play: With a little bit greater than 5 mins to go, the Niners encountered second-and-10 at the Rams’ 33. With Moody currently transforming a set of lengthy basket, that was basket array.

But quarterback Purdy forgot the circumstance and tried to require a deep round to wideout Jennings deep down the best sideline. Rams cornerback Darious Williams selected it off in the long run area for a touchback to eliminate the drive. — Nick Wagoner

Next video game: at Dolphins (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday,Dec 22)