The NFC West is basically a meat grinder. Honestly, if you blinked during the second half of the most recent showdown between these two, you probably missed three lead changes and a record-breaking performance. People keep asking who won the 49ers and rams game, and while the scoreboard says one thing, the playoff implications say another.
The Los Angeles Rams walked out of Levi's Stadium with a massive 42-26 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Matthew Stafford didn't just play well—he carved up one of the most respected defenses in the league.
Stafford’s Historic Day in Santa Clara
Stafford is 37 years old. You wouldn't know it by watching him on Sunday. He threw for four touchdowns and zero interceptions, marking his third consecutive game with that specific stat line. That’s an NFL record. Nobody has ever done that before. Not Brady, not Manning, not Montana.
The Rams jumped out to a 21-0 lead so fast it made the Niners' heads spin. They scored on their first three possessions. That hasn't happened for LA in five years. You’ve got to give credit to Sean McVay; his play-calling looked like it was coming from the future. The 49ers were playing catch-up before the fans even finished their first round of nachos.
San Francisco was playing without Brock Purdy again. He’s been out with that nagging toe injury since Week 4. Mac Jones stepped in and, to be fair, he wasn't the reason they lost. He went 33-of-39 for 319 yards. Those are winning numbers usually. But when your defense gives up 42 points, you could have Joe Montana in his prime and it wouldn't matter much.
The Turning Points and Missed Chances
The score looks like a blowout, but it was actually a bit of a tease for a while. Late in the second quarter, Mac Jones found Jauan Jennings for a 6-yard touchdown to make it 21-7. There was hope. The stadium was rocking. Then the third quarter turned into a track meet. Both teams traded touchdowns like they were playing Madden on rookie mode.
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But the 49ers shot themselves in the foot. Jauan Jennings, who had been a hero earlier, coughed up a fumble in Rams territory. Christian McCaffrey got stuffed on a crucial fourth down in the red zone by Byron Young. You can’t leave points on the board against a Stafford who is "in the zone."
LA moved to 7-2 with this win, pulling into a tie with Seattle for the top spot in the division. The 49ers slipped to 6-4. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for San Francisco, especially since they beat the Rams 26-23 in overtime back in Week 5 at SoFi Stadium. This was pure, unadulterated revenge.
Beyond the Scoreboard: The NFC West Race
The rivalry is tied up for the season now. One win each. But the momentum is clearly wearing a Rams jersey. Los Angeles has won four straight. Stafford has 25 touchdowns on the season, and 20 of those came in the last six games without a single pick. That's absurd efficiency.
San Francisco is in a weird spot. They have the talent, but they are beat up. Kyle Shanahan mentioned after the game that Purdy might be back next week, but "might" doesn't win games in November. They need their leader back because Mac Jones, while accurate, doesn't have that "it" factor when the game starts slipping away in the fourth quarter.
- Final Score: Rams 42, 49ers 26
- Key Stat: Matthew Stafford's 3rd straight game with 4+ TDs and 0 INTs (NFL Record)
- Injuries of Note: Davante Adams (Rams) left with an oblique issue; Brock Purdy (49ers) remained inactive.
- Division Standings: Rams (7-2) tied for 1st; 49ers (6-4) trailing.
What most people get wrong about this game is thinking the 49ers' defense is "broken." It’s not. They just ran into a buzzsaw. Stafford is playing the best football of his career right now, and the Rams' offensive line actually held up against the Niners' pass rush. That was the real secret. If you can’t get to Stafford, he will find Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp all day long.
The road ahead is brutal for both. The Rams have to host Seattle next week in what is essentially a fight for the division crown. Meanwhile, the 49ers are desperately checking the training room every hour to see if their starting quarterback can finally put weight on that toe.
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If you are looking to place any futures bets or just want to keep an eye on the playoff bracket, watch the Rams' injury report regarding Davante Adams. He’s hopeful the oblique injury won’t sideline him, but at his age, those things can linger. For the Niners, it’s all about the "Purdy Watch." Without him, they are a playoff team. With him, they are a Super Bowl contender.
Keep an eye on the waiver wire if you're a fantasy manager, too. Jake Tonges has become a weirdly reliable target for Mac Jones in the red zone. If Purdy stays out, Tonges might be a sneaky play for another week or two.
To get the most out of the rest of this season, you should track the "points against" for the 49ers over their next two games. If that number stays above 25, it's time to worry about their defensive scheme shifting too much toward the secondary at the expense of the run gap. For the Rams, watch Stafford's interception count. Eventually, the luck on those 50/50 balls might turn, and how they handle a "bad" Stafford game will define their January run.