5 key stats that define 49ers smashing win over Rams

No. 1: 49ers win decisively vs. Rams in turnover differential

Here are three stats San Francisco probably wanted to forget about entering Week 10:

• Only two interceptions on the season
• A minus-9 turnover differential
• Jimmie Ward hadn’t had an interception since 2016

All three stats improved considerably after the 49ers knocked off the Rams.

Ward, who was effectively gifted an interception on Los Angeles’ opening possession when Matthew Stafford watched newly acquired wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. slow up on a deep-route pass, helped set the tone for the Niners’ 18-play, 93-yard scoring drive to get on the board.

Then, on the Rams’ next possession, Ward had his second interception of the night, which resulted in a touchdown.

That set the tone for San Francisco’s upset win. More importantly, though, the 49ers’ current turnover differential improved from minus-9 to minus-7, still not great but notably improved after the Niners did what they needed to do on the offensive side of the ball by preventing their own turnover issues from reoccurring.

Perhaps as equal in importance as forcing defensive takeaways, and San Francisco is back in the win column as a result.