The San Francisco 49ers take on the Los Angeles Rams in a Thursday Night Football matchup in Week 3. Niner Noise has all your updates from the game, as well as analysis and your comment thread.
With an 0-3 start looking directly at them, the San Francisco 49ers are yearning for their first win of the 2017 season.
This game against the Los Angeles Rams is of the utmost importance to the organization.
"We need a win in the worst way." - John Lynch to @KNBR just now.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) September 21, 2017
Exceptional defensive performances facing two quality teams, it is the 49ers offense that has largely contributed to their 0-2 record on the season. Notably, quarterback Brian Hoyer has hit quite a snag to open the regular season after having a solid preseason.
In a quick turnaround for Thursday Night Football, San Francisco is hoping to get on the right track and put a win on the board for the first time with the new regime in place.
Last week, Carlos Hyde showed that he nearly can carry this entire team to victory by himself. Hyde came into CenturyLink Field and ran over the Seahawks defense to the tune of 124 yards on 15 carries. It was the second consecutive game Hyde put up over 100 yards rushing against Seattle, becoming the first running back to do so since 2014.
As always, Niner Noise has your in-game thread with scoring updates and a comment thread you can participate in at the bottom of the article.
Follow along with us, as the 49ers seek to win their first game of the season.
First Quarter
49ers will open up the game on offense.
What a start for Brian Hoyer, who throws an interception on the first play of the game. Todd Gurley runs it into the end zone for a three-yard touchdown on the next play. The Rams are up 7-0, with 14:48 left to play in the first quarter.
And Carlos Hyde rips off a 20-yard run on his second carry. There’s the explosiveness we saw in Seattle. Hoyer hits tight end George Kittle on third down, but is short and the punt team comes on. An offsides penalty on fourth down extends the 49ers drive.
San Francisco is running with authority, as even Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert are finding room to run the ball. Hyde was on the sidelines, is now back on the field and picks up the first down — he immediately comes out though with an apparent injury.
The first touchdown of the season for the San Francisco 49ers comes from Brian Hoyer, who runs the ball in for a nine-yard touchdown. Just like we all predicted. It’s tied 7-7 at the 8:17 mark in the first quarter.
A fantastic series for the 49ers defensive line, but Dontae Johnson’s holding penalty negates the sack on third down. The Rams drive continues. On 2nd and 6, a rolling Goff hits wide receiver Robert Woods for a 31-yard completion.
Two plays later, Goff finds Gurley in the flat for a seven-yard touchdown. Rams up 14-7, 4:32 left in the first quarter. That holding penalty on Johnson really hurt the 49ers there.
Finally a long completion for Hoyer, who finds Garçon for a 30-yard reception! And then a Mostert fumble kills the drive. Los Angeles takes over at their 32-yard line.
On 3rd and 12, the defense gets a stop on a Pharaoh Cooper screen. It’ll be 4th and 8 when the second quarter opens up.
Second Quarter
Greg Zuerlein’s 48-yard field goal is good, and the Rams are up 17-7 at the 14:55 mark in the second quarter.
Bad miss for Hoyer who overthrows Garçon on first down. Los Angeles safety LeMarcus Joyner is down with an injury. Good news for the 49ers as Hyde is back in the game again. Hoyer finds Trent Taylor on 3rd and 3 for a San Francisco first down.
The next 3rd and 3 isn’t as fruitful for the 49ers, and the punt unit is on. But a fumble by Tavon Austin on the punt gives San Francisco the ball at the Rams’ 12-yard line. Penalties killing the 49ers, who have two already on this short drive.
San Francisco can’t capitalize, and settle for the 36-yard field goal. The Rams lead 17-10 with 9:37 left to go in the second quarter.
Solid drive for the 49ers defense, forcing their first three and out of the game as Goff throws an incompletion on 3rd and 12. San Francisco takes over at their own 22-yard line on a monstrous punt by Rams punter Johnny Hekker.
On the next 49ers possession, offensive weapon Kyle Juszczyk pops off for a 34-yard reception — earn your money Juice:
Brian Hoyer connects with Kyle Juszczyk for a big gain. #49ers pic.twitter.com/5r8Pfibfcw
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) September 22, 2017
But another sack for the Rams forces the field goal team to come on again, and Robbie Gould’s 48-yard field goal is good. Los Angeles now leads 17-13 with 3:46 until halftime.
The Rams offense is marching down the field in their two-minute offense. Jimmie Ward’s unnecessary roughness penalty fuels Gurley’s two-yard touchdown. That’s three for Gurley in this first half:
Todd Gurley has matched last year's TD total. It's Week 3.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) September 22, 2017
It’s 24-13, Los Angeles leads now.
San Francisco’s next drive ends with a sack, and the 49ers run the clock out to end the half.
Third Quarter
Solomon Thomas opened up the second half with a nice tackle to hold Gurley for no-gain. But a long 48-yard pass to Sammy Watkins had the Rams in the red zone. Rashard Robinson’s pass interference penalty on 3rd and 5 extended Los Angeles’ drive.
On 3rd and goal, the defense clamped down and forced 4th down. Greg Zuerlein’s 19-yard field is good, and the Rams now lead 27-13 with 9:17 left in the 3rd quarter.
A long pass to Garçon and a roughing the passer penalty on Aaron Donald put the 49ers in the red zone. A fourth-down attempt goes the right way for the 49ers this time as Hyde scored on a 1-yard touchdown and the Rams lead is cut to 27-20 with 5:40 to go in the third quarter.
Goff is dealing and put Los Angeles at the San Francisco 9-yard line. Goff has hit a multitude of receivers this drive. Not a good look for the 49ers though as Jaquiski Tartt has left the game with an injury:
Jaquiski Tartt is on his feet, and being walked straight to the 49ers’ locker room for further observation.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 22, 2017
The 49ers can’t stop the Rams on 3rd goal as Goff hit Watkins for a 1-yard touchdown. It is 34-20, Los Angeles’ lead with 17 seconds left in the third quarter.
Goff is having himself quite the game. So far, he’s 20-25 passing for 252 yards and two touchdowns.
The third quarter ended on a 50-yard pass to Marquise Goodwin. Deep ball starting to open a little bit more this game for Hoyer.
Fourth Quarter
To open the 4th quarter, Hoyer and the 49ers were able to capitalize on the long pass to Goodwin. Hoyer got his first passing touchdown on the season on a 1-yard toss to tight end Garret Celek. With 12:50 left in the game, the Rams lead 34-26.
A lengthy run to open the drive and a reception on 3rd and 5 by Gurley had the Rams threatening in the red zone. Watkins finished off the drive on a 13-yard touchdown catch. Los Angeles is up 41-26 at the 8:23 mark in the fourth quarter.
The subsequent drive by the 49ers was awful — two drops and the punt team was back on. The Rams took over at their own 12-yard line.
A spectacular 59-yard catch by Garçon leads to rookie Trent Taylor’s first NFL touchdown, coming on a 3-yard pass. The Rams are up 41-33 with 5:08 left in the game.
HUGE break for the 49ers as they forced the fumble on the kickoff return. They took over in Rams territory.
A Garçon first down put the 49ers in the red zone, and it led to a Hyde 1-yard rushing touchdown. San Francisco went for two, and Hoyer threw it late and missed Taylor. It’s 41-39 with the Rams leading at the 2:13 mark in the 4th quarter.
Wow. The onside kick actually worked and the 49ers recovered, ball at midfield. There is 2:08 left to go.
It wasn’t enough though. An offensive pass inference penalty called on Taylor on a converted 3rd down killed the 49ers, and Donald sacked Hoyer on 4th and 20. The Rams took over with little over a minute left and ran the clock out.
Please refresh your browser periodically for updates and scoring changes.