49ers now sit in 1st place in NFC West after Week 4 win vs. Rams

The 49ers got a much-needed 24-9 win over the Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 4, meaning the Niners now have sole possession of first place in the NFC West.

A lot could have happened for the San Francisco 49ers depending on the outcome of their Week 4 Monday Night Football matchup against the visiting Los Angeles Rams.

Had the Niners lost, they would have fallen to a lowly 1-3 record and would be sitting alone at dead last in the NFC West.

However, San Francisco ended up putting together its most complete and convincing win of the young season, beating LA by a score of 24-9 on Monday night, thanks largely to All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel and his 57-yard catch-and-run touchdown and a swarming 49ers defense that sacked Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford seven times and forced a pick-six interception that iced the game in the fourth quarter.

By avoiding the loss, the Niners now sit atop the NFC West after the first-quarter mark of the 2022 season.

49ers now in 1st place within NFC West after beating Rams in Week 4

Every team in the division is now 2-2 after four weeks, but San Francisco has two in-division wins in hand after beating Los Angeles on Monday night, following its Week 2 home victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Had LA won, it would have improved to 3-1 with two NFC West wins, its first being over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3.

Instead, the 49ers now hold that slim lead with all teams still boasting the same record.

NFC West standings after Week 4

1. San Francisco 49ers (2-2)
2. Los Angeles Rams (2-2)
3. Arizona Cardinals (2-2)
4. Seattle Seahawks (2-2)

Yes, it’s early. And the Rams will have a shot at a grudge match versus the Niners in Week 8 after Los Angeles’ bye. However, with the win on Monday, San Francisco has now won seven regular-season games in a row over its NFC West rivals from Southern California.

More importantly, the 49ers get another crucial win within the division that’ll likely count for a lot once playoff seeding becomes part of the discussion later this season.