49ers tie things up vs. Rams with crazy Deebo Samuel passing TD

Leave it to 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel to do it all, as his passing touchdown ties things up against the Rams in a crucial Week 18 game.

The San Francisco 49ers use wide receiver Deebo Samuel in so many ways.

But not usually as someone who can throw touchdown passes.

After a disastrous first half in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams, in what’s turning into a must-win game for the Niners that saw a 17-0 deficit, head coach Kyle Shanahan had to get creative.

A desperate two-minute drill by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco offense managed to net three points before halftime, cutting the deficit to 17-3.

Samuel managed to close the score to 17-10 on a 16-yard run early in the third quarter, a drive that helped shift the momentum back in the 49ers’ favor after such an ugly start.

But Samuel’s magic ultimately came alive on the Niners’ subsequent possession.

Deebo Samuel tosses touchdown pass as 49ers tie things up vs. Rams

Shanahan elected to get back to a run-heavy approach with the game turning into a one-score affair.

And at the end of what turned into an 11-play, 74-yard drive, Samuel wasn’t asked to run a route or take off on a handoff carry.

Instead, he played the role of quarterback, finding fellow wide receiver Jauan Jennings for a 24-yard touchdown pass:

Good thing Jennings, who initially bobbled the pass, held onto it for the touchdown, ultimately tying the game up at 17 apiece.

Read More: 49ers loss to Rams in Week 18 can doom playoff hopes

San Francisco isn’t getting any help from the Atlanta Falcons, who need to beat the New Orleans Saints to help ensure the 49ers make the postseason, should they end up losing to Los Angeles in Week 18.

If the Niners still lose the game and the Saints win, San Francisco would be out of the playoff dance.

Thankfully, especially from Samuel’s perspective, the 49ers are back in it after such a disastrous start in Week 18.