In a game that had everything but a tidy finish, the San Francisco 49ers clawed their way to a 26-23 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, solidifying their grip on the NFC West. It wasn't pretty, especially with quarterback Brock Purdy sidelined by injury and the team missing key pieces like George Kittle and rookie Ricky Pearsall. Yet, somehow, they pulled it off, stopping Kyren Williams cold on a crucial fourth-and-1 at the goal line in extra time. Mac Jones, stepping in as the starter, threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns, proving he's got the poise for these high-stakes moments.
Christian McCaffrey, ever the workhorse, carried the load on the ground despite the chaos around him. He racked up solid yards—enough to keep the Rams' defense honest—but it was his vision and toughness that stood out in a run game that's been sputtering lately. The 49ers now sit at 4-1, having beaten all their divisional foes so far this season. For the Rams, it's a frustrating 2-3 mark, with Matthew Stafford's arm looking sharp but the team's mistakes piling up, including that botched fourth-down call.
Predictions heading into this one had the Rams as slight favorites, given San Francisco's injury woes and the home-field edge at SoFi Stadium. But football's funny like that; the 49ers flipped the script with a doinked field goal that bounced their way and relentless defense. McCaffrey's history against L.A. is a fantasy goldmine—he's torched them before—but this time, it was more about survival than explosion.
As for catching the action, Thursday Night Football aired on Prime Video, with local broadcasts on Fox 11 in L.A. and KTVU in the Bay Area. Radio options included the 49ers' flagship on KNBR 680 and the Rams' on ESPN LA 710. Looking ahead, the 49ers face the Seahawks next Sunday, while the Rams host the Lions—both tilts that could shift the West's power balance.
Indeed, however the season unfolds from here, nights like this remind us why we tune in week after week.