Deebo Samuel has had a very quiet season. He took to social media this week to complain about not getting the ball.
The San Francisco 49ers clearly made it a point to target him more, and on one key second-half play Thursday night, Brock Purdy hit him with a quick pass that probably should have been a touchdown. In any previous season of his career, Samuel would have made it all the way. We’ve seen it many times before.
And Samuel dropped Purdy’s perfect pass. Plain and simple. You can’t complain about not getting the ball and then have it bounce off your hands when it comes your way in a key spot.
If anything can sum up the 2024 49ers, it was the game. A former star player who had a surprisingly bad season had a chance to become a hero. And the ball went right through his hands.
The 49ers are back to two games under .500 after losing to the Los Angeles Rams, who are right in the NFC West with an ugly but important 12-6 victory. Purdy struggled, and a key interception in the fourth quarter with the 49ers in range for a long field goal effectively ended San Francisco’s chances. This probably ended their slim chances for the playoffs.
The Rams were a little tougher on Thursday night. They performed better. Like the rest of the 49ers’ losing season, when they were supposed to contend for a Super Bowl title, they were disappointing.
Scoring was difficult
Here were the results of all first quarter possessions by both teams: punt, punt, field goal, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt. Only the 49ers, who led 3-0 after the first quarter, got one real drive and points. According to the Amazon Prime Video broadcast, it was the first time Sean McVay’s team had started a game with four straight drives without a first down.
In other words, it was the type of Thursday game that viewers complain about when they talk about teams playing below par on short rest.
Puka Nacua (17) and the Los Angeles Rams did just enough on offense to beat the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The 49ers defense got off to a good start and was helped by linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Greenlaw, who tore his Achilles in a brutal injury during last season’s Super Bowl, made his season debut and his presence was felt immediately. Nick Bosa’s return from injury was also key for the 49ers.
The defenses played well and then the rain came. A downpour started in the second quarter, making things even more difficult for struggling offenses. The Rams went on a drive late in the second quarter, moving mostly on the ground and getting a field goal before halftime. There were fewer than 200 yards and more punts (11) than first downs (nine) in the first half.
Week 15 is the start of the football playoffs for most leagues. Anyone who had any 49ers or Rams offensive players in their lineup must have been horrified by the first half.
Both teams are struggling to find the end zone
In the fourth quarter, Amazon posted a stunning stat: In 152 meetings between the 49ers and the Rams, Thursday night was the first time they didn’t score touchdowns through three quarters.
The 49ers should have had a touchdown in the third quarter, but Samuel had a bad drop over the middle on third down. The Rams finally got into an explosive play toward midfield by Puka Nacua, but again failed to break through. They scored a field goal and took the lead 9:6.
The 49ers season was on the line. At 6:7, they probably needed to win. They didn’t put together a touchdown drive all night. But if they wanted to stay alive in the playoff fight, they had to find a way. The ball was moving. Then Purdy got impatient and, on second-and-11, mis-threw a deep ball to Jauan Jennings, who hit Rams cornerback Darious Williams with 5:14 left.
The 49ers were buried afterward. The Rams continued to drive on the clock and under the two minute warning, the Rams hit a huge third down pass to tight end Colby Parkinson as he got a free release from the line. When the 49ers needed that stop to keep realistic hope alive, they couldn’t get it. The Rams scored a field goal after 18 seconds.
The 49ers have lost four of their last five games. This is a team that should still be in the Super Bowl window and could continue next season. Injuries have certainly set San Francisco back. But being 6-8 in mid-December is not what the 49ers expected. If there was any hope for a late-season turnaround, it was dashed Thursday night in the rain.
Live41 updates
The Rams just beat the Bills and 49ers in the span of 5 days and did it in 2 games that were so different they barely seemed like the same sport. A remarkable achievement.
The game ends well. Brock Purdy faces immediate pressure on a Hail Mary and tries to scramble, but is brought down for a sack to seal it for the Rams.
The Rams have now won 7 of their last 9 and are a half game behind the Seattle Seahawks for first place in the NFC West. The Niners, at 6-8, are basically toast.
Deebo Samuel gives the Niners decent field position
It was a miserable night for Deeb Samuel, but on the kickoff he returned to 35, which is extended by a horse collar. Niners will start at 50.
FIELD GOAL: The Rams extend their lead but leave the Niners with seconds to spare
The Niners will get the stop they need. Their reward: a six-point deficit with 18 seconds left and no timeouts.
The 49ers had so many chances to gain a commanding lead in this game, but they wasted them all…
-Bad call-call after an explosive play to Kittle -Multiple missed INT -Deebo Samuel dropped to 3rd/would be a TD -Purdy fouled Pearsall before the INT
The Rams convert when Matthew Stafford finds Colby Parkinson. Desperation time for the Niners, who have one timeout with 1:55 left.
We have reached the 2 minute warning
Two minutes left and the next play is going to be big. The Rams have 3rd and 4 at the San Francisco 32 and could end it with another first down or two.
INTERCEPTION: Brock Purdy intercepted in the end zone
Phew. The Niners got down to the Rams 33 when Brock Purdy decided to go deep into the end zone. Instead of Jauan Jennings, he found Rams cornerback Darious Williams. Los Angeles has the ball back with 5:14 left on a field goal.
FIELD GOAL: The Rams take their first lead
Still no touches. The Rams can’t get much further and Joshua Karty adds a 17-yard field goal. That’s the first lead of the night for Los Angeles.
Matthew Stafford hit Puk Nacuo for the longest gain of the night
On one play, the Rams move from their own 33-yard line into the red zone when Matthew Stafford hits Puk Nacuo on a deep ball. The Rams threaten to take their first lead of the night.
The Niners go 3-and-out again
Today the Niners have drives one yard, six yards, seven yards, six yards and six yards. It hasn’t been a fun ride at Levi Stadium.
FIELD GOAL: The Rams miss the red zone, but the game is tied
We still don’t have a touchdown tonight. The Rams got close, reaching the San Francisco 4-yard line, but a holding penalty pushed them back to the 12 and they couldn’t break it from there. Joshua Karty kicks a 23-yard field goal to tie it.
Rams drive, convert 4th and 1 in Niners territory
With Blake Corum at RB for much of the drive, the Rams are closing in on the red zone. Matthew Stafford just converted a 4th-and-1 into a QB sneak.
Deebo Samuel with another drop
After complaining about not getting the ball enough, Deebo Samuel drops a third pass that slants right into his hands.
That would give the 49ers a first down. But instead they have to settle for another field goal. Jake Moody’s 47-yard field goal put San Francisco back on top, 6-3.
Receivers wish they could run like these corgis tonight
Where were the corgis?
Amazon has robbed viewers of some halftime entertainment, my friends.
3-and-out for the Rams early in the 2nd half
The Rams were unable to gain ground on their first possession of the second half. Kyren Williams gained five yards on two carries, but Matthew Stafford threw incomplete on 3rd and 5.
San Francisco takes over at their own 25-yard line on a 46-yard punt by Ethan Evans.
Halftime: Rams 3, 49ers 3
After a wet first half match…
Rams total offense: 89 yards
Matthew Stafford 4/12, 23 yards Kyren Williams 14 carries, 44 yards Puka Nacua 3 catches, 19 yards
