Rams' rally from 10 points behind in fourth quarter stuns 49ers

Staff Writer

Sept. 22, 2024 Updated 8:06 PM PT

The Rams gave away Sean McVay bobbleheads to season-ticket holders Sunday.

The figurines, outfitted with a headset, five o’clock shadow and McVay’s trademark hair spike, could be made to nod up and down, and side to side.

But only the real-life McVay — and his supposedly undermanned team — felt the head-spinning reality of a 27-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium.

“Lot of guts,” McVay said. “Lot of grit.”

With another 49ers-heavy crowd invading a stadium the San Francisco faithful have dubbed Levi’s South, the Rams sent the 49ers back to Northern California with a second consecutive defeat.

Rams running back Kyren Williams scored three touchdowns, quarterback Matthew Stafford engineered two late scoring drives and rookie Joshua Karty kicked the game-winning field goal with two seconds left to complete a dramatic comeback that improved the Rams’ record to 1-2.

Perhaps more importantly, the Rams avoided falling to a postseason-killing 0-3, a hole the organization has not occupied since 2011, when the St. Louis Rams started 0-6 en route to a 2-14 finish.

“These are the games where you bring just a little more juice,” said Williams, who rushed for two touchdowns and somersaulted into the end zone to complete a touchdown pass play. “These are the games you can’t wait to play, when everybody is doubting you and everybody’s, ‘There’s no way the Rams are going to win. The Rams are going to start 0-3 this season.’

“Like Nah. we’re not listening to that stuff.”

Both teams were shorthanded because of injured star players.

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp is out indefinitely and receiver Puka Nacua, offensive linemen Steve Avila, Joe Noteboom and Jonah Jackson and defensive backs Darious Williams and John Johnson III are on injured reserve.

The 49ers were without star running back Christian McCaffrey, receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle.

That set up something of a chess match between McVay and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, McVay’s mentor during their days on the NFL’s Washington staff and his nemesis for most of their eight seasons competing against each other in the NFC West.

The Rams’ victory was only the second in the last 11 regular-season games between the teams.

“It feels really great,” defensive tackle Kobie Turner said, “especially getting that first win versus San Fran.”

The victory was especially sweet for Williams.

After earning a Pro Bowl invitation in 2023, the third-year pro was stifled in losses against the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals but he broke out against a 49ers defense that featured end Nick Bosa, linebacker Fred Warner and edge rusher Leonard Floyd.

“I wouldn’t let my guys down the way that the last two weeks went,” said Williams, who rushed for 89 yards in 24 carries and caught two passes for 27 yards. “I wasn’t going to let that happen again this week.”

The Rams also got key performances from players usually cast in supporting roles to the injured stars.

Receiver Tutu Atwell drew a pass-interference penalty for a long gain, and caught a long pass to set up the game-tying touchdown. Xavier Smith, promoted from the practice squad this week, helped set up the game- winning field goal with a 38-yard punt return.

The Rams' Xavier Smith is knocked out of bounds by 49ers punter Mitch Wishnowsky after a 38-yard return.

A Rams defense that was dominated by the Cardinals a week earlier enabled Brock Purdy and receiver Jauan Jennings to connect for three touchdowns. The unit held running back Jordan Mason under 100 yards rushing for the first time this season, however, and stopped the 49ers when it counted most to give the ball back to Stafford twice in the final three minutes.

“Whenever you get stops on defense and you got [No.] 9 at quarterback, you got a shot to win the game,” Turner said.

After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, the Rams pulled within 24-17 in the fourth after Karty kicked his first field goal.

Shanahan’s decision to have Jake Moody attempt a 55-yard field goal backfired when Moody missed wide left, giving Stafford the ball near midfield.

“Whatever the situation is in the game — up, down, tied, whatever — I try to be the same player,” said Stafford, who completed 16 of 26 passes for 221 yards. “There’s no doubt that down in the fourth quarter with the ball in my hand, I’ve got a little extra, you know, heartbeat going.

“But I’m excited about those opportunities. That’s what I want. I want to be in those moments. I feel the guys on our team know that and hopefully they feed off that.”

Rams receiver Tutu Atwell hauls in a 50-yard pass behind 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward late in the fourth quarter.

Stafford’s 50-yard pass to Atwell set up Williams’ short touchdown run and Karty’s tying extra point.

With less than a minute left, the Rams forced the 49ers to punt. Smith slipped a tackle and then ran up the right sideline in front of the Rams bench to midfield. A pass-interference penalty moved the ball to the 49ers’ 25, and Karty came on after two more plays for the game-winning kick.

Like his bobblehead, McVay gave his team’s effort a fist pump.

“I saw a team respond after a really humbling week last week,” he said. “We’ve got to do a good job of being able to build on this.”