On a short four-game turnaround following their first loss of the season, the San Francisco 49ers got back in the win column and took over sole possession of first place in the NFC West. A banged-up roster left the Niners fielding a team of many replacements and second-stringers to play against their in-state rival, the Los Angeles Rams.
San Francisco drew first blood on Thursday night. A pair of short touchdown passes inside the red zone from backup quarterback Mac Jones put the 49ers up 14-0 deep into the second quarter and 17-7 entering halftime.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan did not have his $265 million face of the franchise in Brock Purdy, who missed another game due to a lingering toe injury. Defensive end Nick Bosa tore his ACL recently and is done for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season. Veteran tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk are still out for San Francisco. They were joined by fellow wideouts Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall on the sideline on Thursday against the Rams.
So, with this many star players and key contributors for the 49ers out against the Rams, how come the result shouldn't be considered as a fluke?
It shouldn't surprise anyone that 49ers beat Rams on Thursday
Despite losing the past three regular-season meetings against Los Angeles, San Francisco had won nine of 10 games dating back to 2019. The 49ers had won five straight games when facing the Rams following a loss.
For the third game this season, Jones did not throw an interception. The former New England Patriot quarterback has not a committed a turnover in 2025.
Purdy has thrown as many picks as he has touchdown passes (four of each). Yet, Jones also has more games with multiple scores thrown.
"We talked about how tough we had to be for four quarters," said Jones after the game. "It came down to who was going to be the toughest team, and I think it was us."
Placekicker Eddy Pineiro was not with the 49ers at the beginning of the season. He was signed in place of Jake Moody, who was released after a performance dud in Week 1. Pineiro connected on four field goals. One of which was a 59-yarder in the fourth quarter and another was the game-winner in overtime.
That was one of several key moments in the game that went San Francisco's way, which illustrates the point. The 49ers also held Los Angeles out of the end zone late in the fourth quarter on what could have been a go-ahead touchdown, only to be negated by defensive tackle Alfred Collins' forced fumble.
Then, with the Rams going for it on their final overtime possession on a 4th-and-1, defensive backs Chase Lucas and Marques Sigle ensured it'd be a turnover on downs.
The Niners made the big plays when they had to despite fielding mostly backups. Los Angeles didn't.
It's that simple.