All Matthew Stafford needed was a chance.
The San Francisco 49ers gave the Rams’ veteran quarterback two chances in the final minutes of Sunday’s game at SoFi Stadium, and Stafford paid the price both times.
Stafford managed a touchdown drive to tie the game and then a winning field goal drive that saw the Rams come back in front of 74,484 spectators and defeat the 49ers 27-24.
Joshua Karty kicked a 37-yard field goal with two seconds left to secure the win, improving the Rams’ record to 1-2.
Kyren Williams ran for two touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass, so the Rams did not fall behind 0-3.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings catches a ball in front of Rams cornerback Cobie Durant.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Stafford completed 16 of 26 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown. Williams ran for 89 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. He caught two passes for 27 yards and a touchdown.
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes to receiver Jauan Jennings, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Rams at bay.
It was an important win for the Rams, who are without injured receiver Cooper Kupp, who is out indefinitely. Also on the injured list are receiver Puka Nacua, offensive linemen Steve Avila, Joe Noteboom and Jonah Jackson, and defensive backs Darious Williams and John Johnson III.
The Rams fell behind early when Purdy combined with Jennings to score two touchdowns.
However, running back Ronnie Rivers’ run for a first down after a fake punt kept a Rams drive alive, which Williams finished with a 14-yard pass reception that he cut short with a somersault into the end zone.
The Rams got the ball early in the second half but had to punt and the 49ers took advantage by launching a long drive to win.
Purdy’s 31-yard touchdown pass to Jennings gave the 49ers a 21-7 lead. After the Rams got within seven points, the 49ers extended their lead to 10 points with a field goal early in the fourth quarter.
With about six minutes left, the Rams reduced the deficit to 24:17 with a 33-yard field goal by Joshua Karty.
They got another chance when Jake Moody’s 55-yard field goal attempt went wide left and Stafford got the ball at the Rams’ 45-yard line.
Stafford completed a 50-yard pass to receiver Tutu Atwell, setting up Williams’ short touchdown run that tied the score at 24-24.
Xavier Smith’s 37-yard punt return set up Karty’s game-winning field goal after a crucial pass interference penalty against the 49ers.
