2 winners (and a bunch of losers) from brutal 49ers loss to Rams

The San Francisco 49ers lost an embarrassing game on Sunday to the Los Angeles Rams. The final score was 27-24, and the Niners should have won the game but a comedy of errors prevented them from doing so.

For the sake of positivity, let's start with the winners.

Winner No. 1: WR Jauan Jennings

What a day for wide receiver Jauan Jennings.

He figured to have a more prominent role in the offense with both All-Pros Deebo Samuel and George Kittle out with injury, but it's doubtful anyone expected the No. 3 wideout to go off the way he did.

Jennings caught 11 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns. He looked unstoppable out there and made an unbelievable catch reaching around a defender. He looks like the primary target on offense especially with the injuries and Brandon Aiyuk simply not playing well thus far.

It is a shame that his efforts were wasted.

Winner No. 2: QB Brock Purdy

Quarterback Brock Purdy played very well in this game. He completed 21-of-29 passes for 258 yards and three touchdown passes. He also used his legs effectively running 10 times for 41 yards.

He made several good plays, but ultimately he was not able to overcome the poor play on defense.

Six drops by his receiving targets, including one on a crucial third-down conversion attempt late in the fourth quarter, didn't help matters at all.

Loser No. 1: LB De'Vondre Campbell

Linebacker De'Vondre Campbell had a very rough game. He did not cover the Rams' running backwell enough to prevent a touchdown at the end of the first half, which shifted the momentum in the game. He also had a consequential pass-interference call on Los Angeles' final drive, which allowed its offense to get into field-goal range.

Campbell is only out there because Dre Greenlaw is still working his way back from injury, but the former needs to step things up as quickly as possible or needs to be replaced.

Loser No. 2: OT Colton McKivitz

Everyone knew that right tackle Colton McKivitz was the weak link on the offensive line coming into this year.

He lived up to that billing on Sunday as he allowed a key sack of Purdy that led to a fumble at the end of the first half.

If that drive had led to a field goal, that could have changed everything later in the game, but McKivitz whiffed on a block and allowed Purdy to get hit.

McKivitz needs to clean things up.

Loser No. 3: S Malik Mustapha

Rookie safety Malik Mustapha had two big-league whiffs in today's game. He whiffed when trying to tackle a running back before a touchdown and then whiffed again on the long punt return that got the Rams to midfield and helped set up their game-winning field goal at the end of the game.

He is a rookie, so mistakes are to be expected, but it seems like he always goes for a big hit rather than trying to wrap up on his tackles. He's got to be better.

Loser No. 4: K Jake Moody

You just have to make that kick if you're kicker Jake Moody.

Sure, 55 yards is not easy but that's his chance to basically end the game, and he blew it.

He has made big kicks in his career, especially in the Super Bowl, but Moody has missed some big ones as well.

Add another to the list.

Loser No. 5: WR Ronnie Bell

Two massive drops.

Second-year wide receiver Ronnie Bell dropped a pass when the Niners were attempting to get into field-goal range after allowing the Rams to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. It hit him right in the hands.

Bell had a shaky rookie campaign, too, and it's doubtful he sticks around much longer because this is just getting too obvious to ignore.

Loser No. 6: WR Brandon Aiyuk

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk got the big payday just a few weeks ago but did not play like it on Sunday and has not played like it all season. Jennings looked like the guy who should be playing on a $200 million-plus contract, while Aiyuk continues to not be on the same page with Purdy and is dropping passes he should be hauling in.

This was a game where Aiyuk should have shined with so many offensive weapons hurt, but he simply did not.

I could keep writing for a while, but six losers seems like enough for now. Ultimately, the entire 49ers team was rendered a loser after this game. They lost a game they should have won against a lesser opponent and now sit with a record of 1-2.

They need to clean a lot of things up, and it is not clear if they are going to be able to do that especially since they will be missing several of their key players on both sides of the ball for the foreseeable future.

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