Midway through the fourth quarter on Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers led the Los Angeles Rams 24-14 and appeared to be on track for their second win of the season, despite missing key players like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle. Jauan Jennings stepped up with a strong performance, and backup running back Jordan Mason was effective once again.
However, things took a turn for the worse, and the 49ers only have themselves to blame. With just under three minutes left and a seven-point lead, kicker Jake Moody missed a crucial 55-yard field goal attempt that could have sealed the win. Although Moody has been generally reliable, he has had a few notable misses, including an extra point in last season’s Super Bowl.
After the miss, the Rams took over at their own 45-yard line, and quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with Tutu Atwell for a 50-yard gain, capitalizing on a coverage breakdown by San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward. Normally a strong performer, Ward allowed Atwell to get behind him, igniting the Rams’ comeback. They scored a touchdown just two plays later, tying the game with a run from Kyren Williams.
The 49ers responded by advancing to their own 43-yard line in two plays. With just over a minute left, quarterback Brock Purdy found wide receiver Ronnie Bell, but Bell failed to secure the catch. Faced with a fourth-and-eight situation and 55 seconds remaining, they opted to punt. Mitch Wishnowsky’s kick landed on the Rams’ 12-yard line, but Xavier Smith returned it to midfield.
After the Rams scored a field goal with two seconds left, the 49ers attempted a last-ditch effort with several lateral passes. A potential game-winning play to Jennings almost materialized but ultimately fell short.
As a result, the 49ers find themselves at 1-2 for the first time in two years. Back then, Purdy was just a rookie starting third on the depth chart. The team has a lot to address as they prepare to host the New England Patriots next weekend.