San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan warned his team about the challenges they would face against the winless Los Angeles Rams, despite their injuries and poor performance in previous weeks.
Shanahan emphasized the need to “take their hope away,” especially with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, warning that leaving the game in Stafford’s hands could be dangerous. Unfortunately for the 49ers, that exact situation unfolded on Sunday, as the team let a 14-point lead slip away, eventually losing 27-24.
The 49ers’ loss to the Rams was particularly painful because it marked their second consecutive defeat, dropping their record to 1-2 and their first NFC West division loss under starting quarterback Brock Purdy. After the game, Shanahan described the team as frustrated and “pissed” about how the game had slipped from their grasp.
That frustration was mirrored by key players like wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who declined media interviews, and linebacker Fred Warner, who stressed that all three phases of the team needed improvement to avoid similar mistakes in the future.
San Francisco was already short-handed going into the game, missing key players like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle due to injuries. Despite these challenges, the team was expected to maintain a high level of play, but their mistakes, particularly on special teams, allowed the Rams to stay in the game.
A pivotal moment came when the Rams executed a successful fake punt, turning what could have been a three-score game into a much more manageable deficit. This moment shifted the game’s momentum, giving the Rams renewed hope.
The 49ers’ special teams continued to struggle, allowing multiple costly plays, including a missed field goal and a long punt return that set up the Rams’ game-winning field goal.
These special teams errors were compounded by defensive breakdowns, with the 49ers’ defense, after a strong start, giving up 27 points and 267 yards over the final three quarters. Stafford led the Rams on his 45th career game-winning drive, marking the largest comeback win for the Rams under coach Sean McVay.
Despite the mistakes and loss, the 49ers had standout performances from Brock Purdy and Jauan Jennings. Jennings, filling in for Samuel, delivered a career-best performance with 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns.
Purdy also played well, completing 22-of-30 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns. However, key drops by other receivers, including a crucial missed opportunity by Ronnie Bell, hindered the team’s ability to close out the game.
At 1-2, the 49ers recognize there is still a lot of season left, but they are aware that missed opportunities like the one against the Rams could have consequences later in the year.
Brock Purdy emphasized that every game in the NFL is a challenge, and last year’s successes mean nothing now. The team knows it must adopt a mindset of fighting for every win moving forward if they are to turn the season around and avoid similar late-game collapses.
