49ers vs. Rams: Week 16 Live Thread & Updates for San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers play their last road game of the 2016 season in Los Angeles versus the Rams. Niner Noise has your Week 16 live thread with scoring updates and analysis.

The 1-13 San Francisco 49ers visited the Los Angeles Rams (4-10) in an NFC West bout that had little more than pride on the line for both struggling franchises.

San Francisco was facing, perhaps, the last winnable game on its schedule and was trying to avoid being the first one-win team in franchise history. And yet the Niners have been forced to deal with a plethora of season-ending injuries at the tail end of this season.

True, the Rams were the one team San Francisco beat way back in Week 1. However it seemed oh-so unlikely the Niners replicate their shutout efforts from the first game of the 2016 season.

Los Angeles tailback Todd Gurley looked to be the next running back to net more than 100 rushing yards against a last-place 49ers defense.

Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Jared Goff would get a shot against the team for which he grew up rooting.

On the flip side, quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Co. looked to put an end to the Niners’ second-half woes, which have been a constant nearly all of the year. Would San Francisco be able to find some late-season momentum?

To do so, the 49ers would have to rely on a number of backup and depth players starting in place of various injured starters.

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First Quarter

San Francisco started off on offense after learning the Cleveland Browns won their first game of the season, which could swap the pick order atop the NFL Draft.

Despite a promising start, the Niners couldn’t get past midfield and were forced to punt after Kaepernick was sacked on 3rd-and-long.

On the Rams opening drive, Goff ended up being picked off by cornerback Tramaine Brock, who was able to return it deep into Los Angeles territory.

Kaepernick subsequently found running back Carlos Hyde for a 19-yard touchdown reception to put San Francisco up 7-0.

Rams return man Pharoah Cooper managed to elude four tackling attempts by San Francisco on the following kickoff, which set the Rams up at their own 48-yard line after a 51-yard return.

Facing 4th-and-2 in 49ers territory, Los Angeles managed to pick up a first down and pushed deep into the Niners red zone.

And this led to a Gurley one-yard touchdown run to tie the game.

Los Angeles subsequently picked off Kaepernick on the following drive, showing even more accuracy problems from San Francisco’s signal-caller. And the Rams scored on an end-around touchdown run by Tavon Austin.

The Rams easily scored 14 unanswered points in short order.

Second Quarter

The 49ers attempted to regain momentum at the beginning of the second quarter. But Kap went down with yet another third-down sack, which forced a Niners punt.

Los Angeles had to punt as well, thanks largely to some stellar play by 49ers defensive tackle Chris Jones.

But it wasn’t as if San Francisco could answer back, going 3-and-out. Yet the Rams did too.

Kapernick and the Niners were able to move the sticks, finally, and push beyond midfield. Yet the drive ended there, as San Francisco was forced to punt just after the two-minute warning.

The Niners defense managed to force a Rams punt with 38 seconds left. Then, simply repeat the last sentence, reversing the teams, and making the time left at 13 seconds.

Third Quarter

Los Angeles opened up on offense, leading 14-7, to start the third quarter.

Rookie corner Rashard Robinson’s penalty continued Los Angeles’ drive, which hurt the Niners defense on a third-down stand. But San Francisco still managed to bend and not break, forcing an opening-drive punt from the Rams.

49ers punt. Rams punt. 49ers punt.

Although Niners defensive end DeForest Buckner got reacquainted with Goff on a sack, emulating the days between Oregon and Cal before both were drafted in Round 1 this year.

49ers punt.

Fourth Quarter

The Rams looked to increase their lead in the final frame of regulation. But linebacker Eli Harold took down Goff to force a Los Angeles punt.

On San Francisco’s subsequent drive, Kaepernick passed to Hyde towards the flat right in the line of Los Angeles’ converging defense. Hyde was hit hard, dropping the football and suffering an injury as result.

After a review, the officials ruled Hyde had fumbled. The Rams recovered and had it deep in San Francisco territory.

And that led to a touchdown pass from Goff to tight end Tyler Higbee. 21-7 Rams.

San Francisco ruled Hyde out for the rest of the game shortly after the touchdown score.

After a key 4th-and-long, the 49ers managed to get into the end zone on an 13-yard scramble by Kaepernick to put San Francisco within one score late in the quarter.

A sack by Niners defensive end Ronald Blair forced a Rams 3-and-out, giving San Francisco a chance to tie things up late.

With two minutes left, Kaepernick and the 49ers moved deep into Rams territory armed with all three timeouts. And the Niners were able to get a 1st-and-goal with 36 seconds left in regulation.

This led to a touchdown pass to wide receiver Rod Streater, which then set up a two-point attempt to decide the game.

It worked. San Francisco pulled off its second win of the season, although the Niners didn’t overtake the Browns for the No. 1 overall pick.

Next: 49ers vs. Rams: Week 16 Preview for San Francisco

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