Rams take big step toward playoffs by winning field-goal battle and sweeping 49ers

A 51-yard reception by Rams receiver Puka Nacua (17) set up the deciding field goal in a win over the San Francisco 49ers. (Godofredo A. Vásquez / Associated Press)

It’s happening.

Again.

The Rams rebounded from a dismal first half of the season and they are making a run for the playoffs.

Again.

Despite a nebulous performance on offense against the San Francisco 49ers, coach Sean McVay’s team is now the one nobody in the NFL wants to play.

Again.

On Thursday night, the Rams defeated the 49ers 12-6 at Levi’s Stadium.

Joshua Karty kicked four field goals, Kyren Williams rushed for 108 yards, and cornerback Darious Williams intercepted a fourth-quarter pass as the Rams improved to 8-6.

The Rams’ Kyren Williams (23) finds running room against the 49ers. (Jed Jacobsohn / Associated Press)

While it might have been painful to watch, it left the Rams feeling great.

“No style points,” McVay said, “We’ll take it. Proud of this group.”

With good reason. The Rams have won three games in a row for the first time in a season that began with a 1-4 start. They also swept the defending NFC champion 49ers for the first time since 2018, when McVay led the Rams to Super Bowl LIII in his second season.

“Being able to do that, knowing how good of a team they are and knowing the history with the two organizations, it’s huge,” Kyren Williams said, “and it shows that we’re the big brothers now.”

In September, the Rams needed a patented Matthew Stafford fourth-quarter comeback and a last-second field goal by Karty to beat the 49ers 27-24 at SoFi Stadium.

Rams safety Kamren Kinchens knocks away a pass intended for 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel. (Jed Jacobsohn / Associated Press)

Stafford mostly struggled Thursday — he completed 16 of 27 passes for 160 yards — but Karty was perfect, making a kick from 48 yards in the second quarter and kicks from 23, 27 and 29 yards in the fourth.

“It’s funny because there may or may not be evidence of me saying they were my favorite team…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-big-step-toward-playoffs-042009420.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-12-13 04:20:00

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