In a nail-biting NFC West clash at SoFi Stadium, the San Francisco 49ers pulled off a stunning 26-23 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, improving to 4-1 while handing their rivals a frustrating loss. Backup quarterback Mac Jones, stepping in amid injuries, orchestrated the comeback with poise, completing 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns. His steady hand kept the Niners in it, especially after a shaky start that saw the Rams surge ahead.
The game turned chaotic late, with Rams running back Kyren Williams fumbling at the goal line in the fourth quarter—a blunder that kept San Francisco alive. Then, in overtime, the 49ers' defense stuffed Williams on fourth-and-1 near the end zone, sealing the win after kicker Eddy Piñeiro's earlier field goal attempt clanged off the upright. Indeed, those defensive stands highlighted San Francisco's grit, even without key players like their usual starters battered by the season's toll.
Matthew Stafford shone for the Rams, firing 30 of 47 attempts for 389 yards and three scores, but turnovers and missed opportunities doomed Los Angeles. Wideouts like Puka Nacua (10 catches, 85 yards, one TD) and Davante Adams (five for 88) kept the pressure on, yet coach Sean McVay's squad couldn't capitalize. On the other side, Kyle Shanahan's 49ers leaned on Christian McCaffrey's 139 total yards and a receiving touchdown, plus Kendrick Bourne's breakout 10 receptions for 142 yards. However, the Niners' secondary struggled, allowing big plays without an interception—their 12th straight game without one.
Moreover, the rivalry's intensity was palpable, with both teams trading blows in a game that felt like a playoff preview. Stafford's arm talent was evident, but the Rams' miscues, from the fumble to the OT stop, proved too much. For San Francisco, Jones' debut as the primary signal-caller offered a glimpse of resilience in a banged-up roster.
As the NFC West tightens, this overtime escape raises questions about depth and momentum heading into the bye weeks.