Grades for 49ers' offense, defense in crucial win over Rams
The 49ers had little room for error entering their game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.And while coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad did not pitch a perfect game, it was quite a showing for them to pull off an unlikely 23-20 victory over the team that came into the week holding the top spot in the NFC West.The 49ers dealt with plenty of on-the-field and off-the-field concerns. But they managed to be the aggressor on Sunday to sweep the season series against the Rams with the improbably win at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.Here’s the 49ers’ report card from their Week 12 game against the Rams:
Two lost fumbles are two too many. Jeff Wilson Jr. was too careless with the football in the first half. And Raheem Mostert coughed it up, resulting in a scoop-and-score for Rams cornerback Troy Hill in the second half after Aaron Donald split Mike McGlinchey and Colton McKivitz to make the play.
The 49ers averaged only 3.5 yards per rushing attempt, but they got a big 2 yards from fullback Kyle Juszczyk on the final drive when he picked up a fourth down to lead to the winning field goal.
Grade: C
It was not always pretty for the 49ers’ passing game. But seeing wide receiver Deebo Samuel back on the field was a thing of beauty for Shanahan. Samuel did more than his share of dirty work to make everything look good at the end. Quarterback Nick Mullens directed 13 passes toward Samuel, who was making his return to action after missing several weeks with a hamstring injury.
Samuel came up with 11 receptions for 133 yards, including a 24-yard pickup on the final drive to convert a third down and get the 49ers near field-goal range. Mullens finished with 252 yards passing with no touchdowns and one interception.
Grade: B
The 49ers’ front did a very good job against the Rams throughout the game – with the exception of Cam Akers’ 61-yard run in the third quarter. The 49ers held the Rams other two running backs, Darrell Henderson Jr. and Malcolm Brown, to 23 rushing yards on 13 carries. Jimmie Ward was active in run support, as he produced two forced fumbles that led to 49ers takeaways with recoveries by Kevin Givens and Kerry Hyder. Ward stripped Brown and Jared Goff on a scramble.
Grade: A-minus
The defensive front and the coverage on the back end were very good throughout the game. Goff threw for 198 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Hyder had two sacks, giving him a team-leading 7.5 for the season.
Rookie defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw had a pick-six on a play in which Givens hit Goff as he was throwing. Richard Sherman returned to the lineup and had a first-half interception.
Grade: A
Robbie Gould delivered the winning points as time expired with a 42-yard field goal. He moved the 49ers into a tie with 3:15 remaining with a 44-yard field goal.
Punter Mitch Wishnowsky had a strong game with a 51.0 average on seven punts, including a net average of 44.0 yards. Gould pushed a 50-yard attempt wide right at the end of the first half, but he made up for it with his late-game heroics.
Grade: A
The 49ers’ game plan on both sides of the ball was outstanding. We could nitpick some stuff here and there, but what’s important is the 49ers completed the season sweep against a team that is in much better shape in just every imaginable way.
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh continues to push the right buttons against this Rams offense. But the most impressive job that Shanahan did was to keep the 49ers focused when they learned about the uncertainty that awaits them in the final month of the season. He also called a run play to Juszczyk to pick up the first down on a fourth-and-1 play with :35 remaining.
Santa Clara County on Saturday announced they were was banning the 49ers from practicing and playing at home for at least the next three weeks due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. Shanahan kept the team grounded and ready to play a game Sunday against a quality opponent.
Grade: A
The 49ers lost two fumbles and had another giveaway on an interception. But they made up for it with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. It was not a perfect game. But it was a darn-impressive performance from a team that has gone through an extraordinary number of difficult situations this season.
This was a must-win team for the 49ers, and the club responded with a gritty performance. With a 5-6 record, the 49ers remain in the hunt.
Grade: A
