Rams @ 49ers
Final Score: Rams 12, 49ers 6
Senior Writer: Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1.bsky.social on Bluesky)
The Los Angeles Rams visited Santa Clara to take on division rivals the San Francisco 49ers in a key matchup in a tight NFC West. A dismal first half, which consisted of 12 punts and two field goals, sent fantasy managers into a downward spiral as both defenses dominated in the trenches. The Rams were held to 23 passing yards, and the 49ers had just 20 yards rushing yards as neither offense could get going. The second half was much better as a spectacle, but only just. With zero touchdowns heading into the fourth quarter and the 49ers trailing by three, Brock Purdy committed the cardinal sin of turning the ball over in the red zone as an overthrow towards Jauan Jennings in the end zone was picked off by veteran cornerback Darious Williams. In response, Matthew Stafford orchestrated a methodological drive late in the fourth quarter that forced the 49ers to use all their time outs and resulted in a game-sealing field goal. A sad way for a disappointing 49ers season to effectively end. The Rams have now won even in a row and look to be on a march for the NFC West title.
Two Up
- Kyren Williams – on a tough night offensively for both teams, Williams led all offensive players in touches and yardage. He ran beautifully at times and fought for every yard, closing the game out with some smart second half running through tackles
- Puka Nacua – half of the star wideouts yardage came on one 51-yard grab in the second half that turned out to be decisive as the Rams controlled the clock in the fourth quarter – he again achieved another 100+ yard game with a couple of carries to go along with 97 yards receiving
Four Down
- All fantasy managers – what a brutal start to the week for those battling it out in the playoffs
- Brock Purdy – his red zone interception downed his team’s chances to make a fourth-quarter comeback; he also suffered from inaccuracy and decision-making once again. Is he the long-term answer for this team?
- Cooper Kupp – zero catches, zero!
- Deebo Samuel – a nasty drop in the first half brought out the boo birds for the outspoken 49ers star. It was an easy slant route over the middle that was unchecked, but Deebo turned his head before securing the catch, and the ball fell away incomplete. It would have been a dash to the house otherwise. Yikes!
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford: 16/27, 160 Yards | 4 Carries, 18 Yards
The veteran Rams quarterback was likely a sure-fire streaming candidate at quarterback for the first round of the fantasy playoffs after a 300+ yard, two-touchdown showing against the Bills last week, but this was a crash back down to earth with a thud. Neither offense could take hold in the first half with rainy conditions and inspired defenses holding offense in check on the ground and through the air. With just 23 yards passing at the half, Stafford broke out of the funk with a deep ball to (who else?) Nacua for 51 yards that put the Rams in business. Ninety-seven of his measly 160 yards went to the wideout, and their seven connections provided a spark for the Rams offense. Stafford’s yardage total was his second-lowest of the season, and it was the first time he completed a game without a passing score since Week 10. Not the best time to do it. Stafford nearly sneaked in for a rare rushing score on a read option in the third quarter, but he was stuffed at the goal line.
Running Back
Kyren Williams: 29 Carries, 108 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 4 Yards
Achieving his third 100+ yard rushing performance on the season, Williams led the Rams in touches and scrimmage yards on a tough but determined showing on the ground. His 29 rushes equaled last week’s production, but he was held out of the endzone for the first time in four games. Williams was still impressive against a stout 49ers front, and his power running in the third quarter broke San Francisco’s spirit somewhat. It looked unlikely in the first half, but Williams showed heart and determination to post his best yardage total on the ground in 2024. He is a true workhorse back and can be relied upon for fantasy value even in the ugliest of situations.
Blake Corum: 3 Carries, 5 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 15 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Puka Nacua: 8 Targets, 7 Receptions, 97 Yards | 2 Carries, 11 Yards
When all around him crumbles, Puka stands tall! The leading Rams wideout brushed off an offensive disaster through the air to post fantasy-respectable numbers once again despite his quarterback struggling to move the ball through the air. Nacua led the team in targets, catches, and yardage on a night that threatened to divebomb any fantasy production. A 51-yard grab deep downfield in the fourth quarter salvaged his night – the Rams wideout burning expensive free agent signing Charvarius Ward with a hook route before showing safe hands to big the ball in. Puka has been elite since returning from the injured reserve, posting five 100+ scrimmage yards games since Week 8.
Puka Nacua can only be contained for so long
— NFL NEWS (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) 2024-12-13T03:31:14.492Z
Colby Parkinson: 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 21 Yards
Hunter Long: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards
Tutu Atwell: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Cooper Kupp: 3 Targets
Oh dear, fantasy managers, look away now. The veteran wideout has enjoyed a productive comeback from injury over the past month, but he failed to haul in a catch in this insipid contest. It was only the second time in his career he was held without a grab, the last time being Week 10 of the 2019 season. And it could not have come at a worse time for fantasy managers. Now, let’s all go cry about it at the pub. Rough!
Demarcus Robinson: 1 Target
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Brock Purdy: 14/31, 142 Yards, INT, 3 Sacks | 1 Carry, 3 Yards
A rough night for Purdy, with all eyes on him as questions swirl about whether he is the long-term solution for the 49ers at the quarterback position. He could be forgiven as all aspects of Kyle Shanahan‘s offense failed to ignite in this putrid offensive performance. It also wasn’t Purdy’s fault that Samuel dropped a perfectly placed ball on a slant route that would have probably gone to the house if caught. Still, he can’t be forgiven for a poor throw in the red zone that was picked off in the end zone at a crucial time in the contest. It was a bad decision under duress, and the fact that his receiver even stopped because it was so badly overthrown into triple coverage says it all. After a promising performance against a terrible defense last week, Purdy still struggles to find a rhythm and step up in big situations.
Niners go for it all and Purdy gets picked off
Running Back
Isaac Guerendo: 16 Carries, 57 Yards | 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 18 Yards
Coming into this contest under an injury cloud after missing plenty of practice time this week with a foot sprain, rookie Isaac Guerendo ran well despite limited opportunities. He averaged 3.6 yards per carry but only ran for three first downs as Purdy, and the offense failed to maintain drives. The 49ers punted on seven of their nine drives to open the game, and that always spells trouble for the run game as it dictates usage and control of the football He did catch all of his four targets out of the backfield and, in doing so tied George Kittle for the lead in catches in this game. That is not a good thing, though!
Wide Receiver/Tight End
George Kittle: 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 61 Yards
Kittle owned the longest play of anyone from scrimmage in the first half with a 33-yard catch and run over the middle that showcased all his talents as a receiving tight end. Sadly, that was as good as it got for Kittle and the 49ers, as he hauled in just 3 more catches for 28 yards in a disappointing offensive performance. He led the team in catches but couldn’t provide the offensive spark in the second half while also battling poor quarterback play from Purdy.
Jauan Jennings: 9 Targets, 2 Receptions, 31 Yards
There is no doubt that in a dreadful season for San Francisco, Jennings has come out of it with his head held high. He’s been a difference-maker at every level and has stepped up when he’s been asked. This performance was by no means on him as time after time; he turned to face balls that were either inaccurate or downright turnover-worthy. He was the target for at least five passes that he had no chance of getting, and one of those was picked off in the end zone even though he was still at the 5-yard line.
Ricky Pearsall: 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 16 Yards
Deebo Samuel: 7 Targets, 3 Receptions, 16 Yards
Oh dear, this was as bad as we’ve seen it from Deebo, who turned his head at the wrong time in an attempt to streak away for a touchdown, in doing so, dropping an easy ball over the middle from his quarterback. After complaining about service in the past week, the Santa Clara crowd let him know what they thought with a chorus of boos that could be audibly heard on the broadcast. It wasn’t the only time that Samuel couldn’t connect with his quarterback on a night when they looked to him to lead this offense. It was an inconspicuous end to what is surely now a lost 49ers season.
Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire