Rams defense struggles out of the gate, but lives to tell the tale in win over 49ers

Although both coaches treated the action like a preseason game, the Los Angeles Rams hung on to knock off the San Francisco 49ers 21-20 in the regular season finale. The victory gave L.A. a closing 10-7 record, a trip to Detroit for next Sunday’s Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs, and last but not least, ended a three-game losing streak to the rival ’Niners.

For the Rams defense, the rivalry game didn’t quite reach the Charles Dickens classic “A Tale of Two Cities”, it was much closer to “A Tale of Two Halves” by compulsive gambler and tout Chucky “Teaser” Dickens. In the first half, San Francisco rolled to 274 total yards, 168 passing and 106 rushing on their way to a 20-7 lead and huge advantage in time of possession (TOP) 21:29 to 8:31.

But in the closing half, the L.A. defense was suffocating. Bolstered by a ground control offense, the Rams defense shut out the 49ers and permitted only 26 total yards. Those paltry gains came from a mere 16 plays on four drives, ending in three punts and a lost fumble that squelched a final-drive come back attempt. TOP flipped in the Rams favor 22:34 to 7:26.

The opening sequence played right to form, for both teams. The ‘Niners used a balanced attack to move steadily down the field, while the Rams played soft and allowed the underneath pitch/catch game. Quarterback Sam Darnold navigated the pocket to elude a decent L.A. pass rush and completed five of passes for 49 yards, none more than 10 air yards, on his way to a 12 play, 75 yard touchdown drive. From the Rams five, running back Elijah Mitchell ran three consecutive dives for the score 49ers 7, Rams O.

After the Rams opened with an answering scoring drive of their own, San Francisco continued right where they left off. This time it was 16 play touchdown drive that ate up a touch over eight minutes. L.A.’s tendency towards sketchy tackling reared its head as S.F. ran the ball 11 times on the drive. Although they bent all the way down the field, the Rams used good third down pass rush pressure for a nice stop inside the five, but safety (S) John Johnson was called for defensive holding. QB Darnold snuck it in two plays after. 49ers 14, Rams 7.

A first play interception by L.A. QB Carson Wentz Rams gave S.F. good starting field position at the Rams 36. A short run and sloppily defended swing pass put the ’Niners at the edge of the red zone. The game could have easilygotten away here, but the defense stepped up and stood fast at the red zone. A holding penalty pushed the 49ers back, but a missed tackle let them quickly gain 12 back on an underneath pass. Two consecutive passes were well-covered and the incompletions forced a field goal. Astonishingly, the short kick leaked right for a miss. 49ers 14, Rams 7.

The Rams allowing scoring on the final drive of the half is not new to Rams fans, nor is cornerback Derion Kendrick getting burnt, but this time it never should have happened. With 1:38 left in the half, San Francisco took over at their own 10 yard line after good coverage of a high punt by Ethan Evans and it appeared they were content on running out the clock. Even though they sandwiched runs around a underneath pass, L.A. called time outs after each. A couple more quick outs and then boom!, a 48 yard completion and short off tackle run had the ‘Niners at the Rams five, having traversed 85 yards before having to use a timeout. On the big play, L.A. had single-high coverage over man, CB Kendrick was beaten by a little inside fake/outside break and he compounded it by taking a poor recovery angle that allowed an extra 30 yards of yards after catch. The touchdown was well-covered by S Quentin Lake but trumped by a fine throw and catch. 49ers 20, Rams 7.

Half two began with typical 49ers balance, chipping away with the run and undeneath passes. After an opening first down, edge (E) Byron Young kept working and good coverage gave him time to secure a sack. A short completion made it third and long. The ‘Niner receiver found a soft area between CB Derion Kendrick and S John Johnson in what looked to be some sort of Cover2 defense, but the pass was high and incomplete forcing a punt. 49ers 20, Rams 13.

On the first of consecutive three-and-outs, S.F looks to kill a little clock, two short runs brought about third and short. The ‘Niners call pass and good coverage forces QB Darnold to break the pocket. There is running room, but E Michael Hoecht is aware of it, breaks off his blocker, and tackles Darnold before he can convert. Hoecht misses a sack by a half-yard, S.F. punts and does not call another run play. 49ers 20, Rams 13.