No Brock Purdy — or Ricky Pearsall, or Jauan Jennings, or Nick Bosa, or George Kittle, or … the list goes on — no problem for San Francisco.
The 49ers defeated the Rams 26-23 in overtime behind a terrific performance from Mac Jones, another workmanlike effort from Christian McCaffrey, a career night from Kendrick Bourne and several clutch red zone plays from its defense.
Eddy Pineiro made a 41-yard field goal on the 49ers’ opening drive of overtime, and San Francisco stopped Kyren Williams on a fourth and 1 from the 11-yard line to preserve the win.
That followed a wild end to regulation. Pineiro nailed a go-ahead 59-yard field goal with just over two minutes left to give San Francisco the lead, but it looked like it wouldn’t hold up. Matthew Stafford quickly led the Rams back down the field into the red zone. However, with Williams running with a head full of steam just 2 yards from the end zone, Alfred Collins came up with the biggest play of his young NFL career, punching the ball out. He also recovered the ball.
However, the 49ers (4-1), backed up at their own 1-yard line, went three and out, and Stafford got the Rams (3-2) into field goal range before Joshua Karty’s 48-yarder sent things to the extra session.
Jones finished 33 for 49 for 342 passing yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and just one sack. McCaffrey had 30 touches for 139 yards, and Bourne had 10 catches for a career-high 142 yards.
Jones led a quick start, connecting on 11 of 13 passes for 131 and two touchdowns, the first to Jake Tonges from 6 yards out, the second a 1-yarder to McCaffrey. Overall, he went 15 for 23 for 179 yards, in the first half.
Los Angeles finally got its offense going shortly before halftime, with Stafford finding Williams out of the backfield for a 14-yard touchdown.
The 49ers put together a strong response, though, and got a Pineiro 37-yard field goal as time expired in the half.
The 49ers had a moment of panic in the third quarter when Jones got rocked by Byron Young and clutched at his left leg; he has had a bothersome left knee early in the season, and he appeared to be in significant pain. However, after trainers helped him to his feet, he was able to jog off the field and did not miss any time. The 49ers’ backup quarterback is Adrian Martinez, who has never appeared in an NFL game.
The 49ers extended their lead to 20-7 before Stafford led a long drive and fired a quick pass to Puka Nacua for a 1-yard score to cut it to 20-14. Stafford then led a second consecutive scoring drive and again found Williams for a touchdown, this time from 8 yards out. It’s Williams’ second career game with multiple receiving touchdowns.
However, the extra point was blocked, leaving the game tied at 20-20. That set up a wild finish that ultimately went San Francisco’s way.