Jauan Jennings shines in his games against the Los Angeles Rams.
With three of the San Francisco 49ers’ key players out, Jennings had the best game of his four-year career, catching 11 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-24 loss to the Rams on Sunday.
“He’s a dog, man. I absolutely love Jauan,” quarterback Brock Purdy said. “The way he comes in every day and then brings the energy to our offense with some huge plays and sparks energy, and just his love for the game, man, you can see it, and you feel it when you’re on the field with him.”
Jennings became the third receiver in 49ers history to have double-digit catches, three touchdowns, and at least 175 receiving yards in a single game.
This performance marked the most receiving yards in a game this season and was a big boost for fantasy players who started him. The Niners were missing All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and tight end George Kittle due to injuries.
Jennings chose not to speak with reporters in the locker room after his impressive game. Before this, he had only scored two touchdowns in his last 31 games.
Jennings put San Francisco ahead 7-0 on the opening drive, catching a 15-yard touchdown after being wide open in the end zone. He and Purdy connected again late in the first quarter on a 4-yard touchdown, increasing the lead to 14.
Jennings widened the gap to 21-7 in the third quarter with a 31-yard touchdown after getting open from Rams safety Kamren Kinchens.
“Jauan was unbelievable. I mean, I think the numbers show it, but more than the numbers, he was a warrior the whole game. Got a lot more opportunities today, and was automatic on every single one,” coach Kyle Shanahan said.\
“Even some bad looks, when I didn’t know if the ball should go there, you quickly saw after that they weren’t going to take that away from Jauan. He was very inspiring today, how he played.”
In just this one game, Jennings surpassed the season totals for fellow Niners wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who has 11 receptions for 119 yards and no touchdowns after signing a four-year, $120 million contract extension.
Jennings’ most impressive catch was a leaping 32-yard grab over Rams safety Quentin Lake late in the third quarter, setting up a field goal that put the Niners ahead 24-14.
Five of Jennings’ 10 regular-season touchdowns have come in just two games against the Rams. He scored twice in the 2021 season finale, catching six passes for 94 yards.
However, Jennings’ strong performance wasn’t enough to make up for the 49ers’ issues on special teams. Ronnie Rivers converted a first down with a fake punt in the second quarter, which led to the Rams’ first touchdown.
“That fake punt changed momentum in the game. We had a chance to run away with it and not give them hope,” Shanahan said.
The Rams scored their last 10 points in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter after mistakes on special teams.
Kyren Williams’ 4-yard touchdown, which tied the game at 21, came just three plays after Jake Moody missed a 53-yard field goal attempt to the left.
The Niners then allowed a 38-yard punt return by Xavier Smith to midfield. The Rams advanced to the Niners’ 19-yard line, where Jason Karty kicked a 37-yard field goal to take the lead.
San Francisco is 1-2 for the second time in three years. Shanahan pointed out that the Niners had a three-game losing streak last season after winning five straight, showing how his team can bounce back from an early setback.
Seattle (3-0) leads the NFC West, while San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Arizona are all 1-2.
“We’re in a hole now and we’ve got to dig out,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “We have to understand what teams are trying to do to us and adjust to it.”
