The Associated Press’ Josh Dubow
California’s Santa Clara. In a crucial game in the NFC West race, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers 12–6 on Thursday night, surviving a slugfest a week after winning a shootout thanks to four wide goals from Joshua Karty.
The Rams (8-6) defeated the 49ers (6-8) on a rainy night to get within a half-game of division-leading Seattle, four days after defeating Josh Allen and Buffalo 44-42 in the NFL’s highest-scoring game of the season. For the first time since 2016, Los Angeles triumphed in a game without a touchdown.
The Niners had a 6-3 lead going into the fourth quarter, but they lost, severely hurting the defending NFC champs’ waning postseason aspirations.
The Niners became the first club since New England in 2000, during coach Bill Belichick’s debut season with the Patriots, to lose to a division opponent when leading by at least three points in the fourth quarter, and they did so for the fourth time this season.
Early in the fourth quarter, Karty made a game-winning 23-yard field goal to end a 17-play drive. After Matthew Stafford made a 51-yard pass to Puka Nacua, Karty subsequently made a 27-yarder.
The Rams then secured their first series sweep against the 49ers since 2018 when Brock Purdy was intercepted by Darious Williams on a deep pass into the end zone as the Niners marched into field goal range.
With eighteen seconds remaining, Karty’s fourth field goal concluded a clock-killing drive spearheaded by Stafford. Nearly all of the damage occurred in the second half as Stafford went 16 for 27 for 160 yards.
For the first time since 2019, the Niners did not score a touchdown in a game, as Purdy finished 14 for 31 for 142 yards.
Because neither team was able to move the ball throughout the first half due to the rain, it significantly affected the offensive performances.
Joshua Karty (16), a place kicker for the Los Angeles Rams, kicks a field goal from Ethan Evans’ grasp during the second half of an NFL football game on Thursday, December 12, 2024, in Santa Clara, California, against the San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn for AP)
The Rams tied the game with a late field goal after going four possessions without a first down for the first time since 2013. The Niners only managed one field goal and three three-and-outs.
Four days after both teams set season highs in points, they combined for 11 punts, nine first downs, and 197 yards.
By halftime, the rain had mostly ceased, but the offenses were still having trouble.
Injuries
Rams: LB In the second half, Nick Hampton (chest) left.
49ers: LB After rupturing his left Achilles tendon during the previous season’s Super Bowl, Dre Greenlaw made his first appearance. He played minimally in the second half after recording eight tackles in the first. S Ji Ayir Brown exited in the second half due to a groin injury.
Up next
Rams: On December 22, go to the New York Jets.
49ers: On December 22, travel to Miami.
https://apnews.com/hub/NFL is the AP NFL.
More sports news
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!