It couldn’t have gone much worse for the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.
They fell to the Los Angeles Rams 27-24 after leading by 10 points with half a quarter to go.
Here are our notes from each quarter:
Sep 22, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) celebrates his touchdown scored against the against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Welcome to the 2024 season, Jauan Jennings. With no George Kittle and no Deebo Samuel, Jennings was the star of the first 15 minutes. He hauled in three catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns.
San Francisco’s offense had good balance in the quarter as well. They ran it 10 times and threw it 11. It’s not a surprise nine of those 11 targets went to Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk. Jordan Mason and Eric Saubert also got a target each.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the quarter is that San Francisco had the ball for 11 minutes and 41 seconds. Their offense looks different without Kittle, Samuel and Christian McCaffrey, but it’s clear they have a plan to overcome those absences.
Sep 22, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) jumps over San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (29) to score a touchdown during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
It was a forgettable 15 minutes for San Francisco.
Their defense gave up a 16-play, 87-yard touchdown drive where nothing was ever particularly difficult for LA. Matthew Stafford was efficient on short throws and the 49ers’ defensive line was getting pushed around in the run game.
The 49ers’ ensuing drive after the Rams TD was a nightmare. Trent Williams went down with an injury, and then LA’s defensive end Byron Young forced a fumble with a strip sack. He badly beat right tackle Colton McKivitz. The Rams recovered with the 49ers knocking on the door of field goal range. Points at the end of the half would’ve been big, but instead San Francisco had to settle for a 14-7 lead after two quarters.
Maliek Collins had a sack to start the Rams’ drive which helped stall their drive so they couldn’t come up with points before the half ended either.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
San Francisco’s offense is humming thanks to Jennings, who had four catches for 86 yards in the quarter, including a sick contested catch for 32 yards. A 31-yard TD pass to Jennings pushed the 49ers’ lead to 21-7.
It’s a little concerning the 49ers haven’t been able to get a stop against this version of the Rams’ offense. Their offensive front is still getting a ton of push, but LA’s scoring drive was aided by a long penalty on Isaac Yiadom who has struggled the last couple weeks.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Colby Parkinson #86 of the Los Angeles Rams runs against Ji’Ayir Brown #27 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at SoFi Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
What a calamity.
The 49ers led by 10 points halfway through the quarter. Purdy looked indecisive in a couple of big spots, which may be part of the trust factor he has with some of the receivers playing. On one play, Purdy appeared to have Brandon Aiyuk wide open for a deep shot, but didn’t pull the trigger. He wound up finding Jennings for a short completion instead.
San Francisco’s defense can’t get a stop either. This has been a problem all year and it was a problem in the fourth quarter with the Rams getting the two scores they needed to get back in the game and tie it at 24.
A drop from Ronnie Bell kept the 49ers out of field goal range on their final drive, then dreadful punt coverage gave the Rams the ball at the 50 to set up the winning field goal.
An absolute disaster quarter.
Sep 22, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
