One rushing touchdown, one receiving touchdown, one passing touchdown, 183 yards total. That’s why the 49ers recruited CMC.
Los Angeles Rams (3-4) – San Francisco 49ers (4-4): 14-31
After seven straight regular season losses to the 49ers, the Rams wanted to finally get the better of their division rival this Sunday.
Failed again.
Despite the absence of Deebo Samuel, San Francisco has once again dictated its law against the team of Sean McVay. In the role of the executioner? Christian McCaffrey (34 YDS passing, 1 TD, 94 YDS rushing, 1 TD, 55 YDS receiving, 1 TD), who literally did it all for the Rams.
Christian McCaffrey, the… launcher
Struggling since the start of the season and especially in the first game against the 49ers in early October, the Rams offense managed to find its rhythm in the first half. Still without running play, but with a well-protected Matthew Stafford (and aided by returning center Brian Allen) distributing. Los Angeles’ second drive lasts more than nine minutes with no less than 17 games on the clock: Cooper Kupp obviously shines, as does rookie Allen Robinson II (5 REC, 54 YDS) who confirms his late rise. And in the end, after two defensive penalties against the 49ers, it was Stafford himself who ended up tearing himself up with his legs (7-0).
The reaction of San Francisco is not long in coming. From the next drive, the 49ers come back to the score and it is the newcomer Christian McCaffrey who is decisive, but not really as we imagined. Indeed, the former Panthers runner scored his first touchdown with the 49ers on a pass to receiver Brandon Aiyuk (6 REC, 81 YDS, 1 TD) (7-7). An original way to formalize his arrival.
Christian McCaffrey’s 1st TD with the 49ers is therefore… a TD pass 🔥#SFvsLAR #FTTB
🎥 @NFL pic.twitter.com/4XnWjhLQbj
— DNA of Sports.com – NFL News 🏈 (@DNA of Sports) October 30, 2022
The joy is however short-lived for the fans of the 49ers, who came in large numbers to SoFi Stadium. On their way, Matthew Stafford (22/33 passing, 187 YDS, 1 TD) and Cooper Kupp (8 REC, 79 YDS, 1 TD) do what they want with the San Francisco defense. The offensive duo of Los Angeles is four times on the next series, for 46 yards and a new touchdown (14-7). This allows the Rams to regain control, and keep them until the break thanks to a defense which proves decisive by limiting the band to Jimmy Garoppolo – who arrives near the end zone of the opponent – to only three points (14- 10).
Christian McCaffrey, receiver and runner
Christian McCaffrey unlocked his counter in the first half, he continues in the second by showing everything he can bring to the 49ers attack. A run of 25 yards, a reception of 14, and above all a magnificent touchdown on a pass from Garoppolo (21/25, 235 YDS, 2 TD) to give the first advantage to San Francisco (14-17). In short, it’s the CMC show!
And this show, it will continue, to the great displeasure of a defense of the Rams which does not find the solution to slow down McCaffrey. While the Los Angeles offense coughs behind a Stafford under pressure, the 49ers running back pulverizes Los Angeles with another big run from 24 yards, followed by his first touchdown on the ground. 14-24 for San Francisco, the Rams are groggy.
Proof of the galleys of Los Angeles, tight end Tyler Higbee makes a nasty drop when he has the opportunity to revive his team ten minutes from the end. Frustration sets in, penalties don’t help, and the defense becomes unresponsive. Jimmy Garoppolo finds tight end Ross Dwelley for 56 yards, before finally sinking the Rams by connecting with George Kittle in the end zone (14-31). The score will remain there and to make matters worse, Cooper Kupp is injured even in the last seconds when the match is already folded…
