San Francisco 49ers (12-5) – Los Angeles Rams (10-7): 20-21
This Sunday's meeting between Northern and Southern Californians was a closely fought match, but it was a tough match but there was divisional rivalry. The starting quarterbacks (Brock Purdy and Matthew Stafford) were left in the fridge. This is also the case for other stars like Christian McCaffrey, Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp and George Kittle. It was therefore an opportunity for the two teams to evaluate the depth of the bench before entering the play-offs.
Puka Nacua record
Attraction of the match, Puka Nacua took up the challenge by breaking two records. the number of receptions and receiving yards for a rookie. With 105 receptions and 1485 yards, Nacua improves both marks. A great achievement for the rookie drafted in the fifth round. The receiver still establishes himself as one of the two big favorites for the title of offensive rookie of the year alongside CJ Stroud.
Solid Darnold and Wentz
On the field side, it is also the opportunity to find Carson Wentz (2nd choice in the 2016 draft) and Sam Darnold (3rd choice in 2018).
In the first period, Sam Darnold (16/26, 189 yards, 1 touchdown, 7 carries, 19 yards, 1 rushing touchdown) plays San Francisco football. 4 possessions, 3 touchdowns and a field goal but only 20 points. At issue: Two misses by rookie kicker Jake Moody on the field goal and on a conversion. The locals lead 20-7 at the break and are calmly heading towards their thirteenth victory.
However, upon returning from the locker room, the light went out on the San Francisco side. The Rams are catching up. In particular, Carson Wentz (17/24, 163 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception) delivered a great performance, showing himself especially impressive with his back to the wall (3/4 on fourth attempts).
With two touchdowns in the second half, the Rams took the lead (21-20) less than 5 minutes from the end of the match. A short lead that the Rouge et Or will not be able to fill, like the last action of the match: a Sam Darnold fumble. No perfect record for the Niners in the NFC West. The Rams consolidate their sixth place in the NFC. The opportunity for Matthew Stafford to remember the Lions they will meet in the Wild Card.
