49ers rally for an upset over host Rams
San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould (9) kicks the game-winning field goal as time expires during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. San Francisco won 23-20. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
2020.11.29 – Robbie Gould made a 42-yard field goal as time expired, and the San Francisco 49ers rally for a Sunday upset with a 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams that completed a sweep of their season series for the second straight year.
As the 49ers took-off on its flight to Los Angeles, they had no idea where they’ll be living, practicing or playing next week, thanks to the new coronavirus restrictions issued in Santa Clara County.
With the latest wave of turmoil in a season rocked by injuries and disappointing results, all the defending NFC champions could control Sunday was the game in front of them.
QB2 Nick Mullens passed for 253 yards and led two late scoring drives in his first victory as a starter since September for the Niners (5-6), who stoked their flickering playoff hopes by becoming the first team to beat the Rams (7-4) at new SoFi Stadium. San Francisco forced four turnovers and committed three of its own, but eked out enough points to beat the Rams’ top-ranked defense.
“It was the exact type of game that we were hoping for,” Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said. “We (knew) we had to run the ball and do all those things we wanted to make it a grimy-type game. When we have those three turnovers on offense, it’s very tough to win that type of game, and that’s what made it so close. But when the defense ends up getting four turnovers, then it gives you a chance.”
2020.11.29 – San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Video)
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2020.11.29 – San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Video)
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2020.11.29 – SF 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Game Highlights Video)
The 49ers were taken aback by the county’s decision to essentially ban practices and games in the county for the next three weeks, with Shanahan calling it “extremely disappointing.” Players and coaches fielded worried phone calls from their families on the plane.
“We were in LA, and we had a game ahead of us,” said Richard Sherman, who had an interception and led the Niners with seven tackles in his first game since Week 1. “That’s all we could focus on. When we get off the field, we’ll focus on where we’re going to go and what we’re going to do. We focused on the Rams.”
Los Angeles went ahead early in the fourth quarter on rookie Cam Akers’ TD run set up by his own 61-yard run.
Gould had made eight consecutive field-goal attempts (in an eight-game stretch) before missing a 50-yarder wide right just before halftime. But then he connected on a 46, and hit a 44-yard field goal with 3:11 left before San Francisco stopped a clunky drive by the Rams near midfield with 2:10 to play.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk then converted a fourth-and-1 with 28 seconds to play during a 56-yard drive to set up Gould, who nailed his 42 yard and final field goal.
Rookie defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown for the San Francisco’s defense. He gave the 49ers a 14-3 lead when he returned his first career interception for his first career touchdown. It’s the play of the year for the 49ers’ top draft pick.
“I was really supposed to be rushing. Something made me drop in coverage,” Kinlaw said. “I saw the ball come out and said, ‘Yeah, we’re going to the crib.’ “ It came on the Rams’ second snap after halftime, and it came with a big assist to Kevin Givens for hitting Goff as he wallowed in the pocket.
Kinlaw largely dominated with big plays, and forced Malcolm Brown’s first fumble since 2017 before getting two interceptions and a fumble from Jared Goff, who has committed 10 turnovers in four games.
“Our quarterback has got to take better care of the football,” Rams coach Sean McVay said in a rare public criticism of Goff, who is tied for second in the NFL with 14 giveaways.
“We have to take better care of the football, or else I am going to keep coming up here and saying the same thing week in and week out,” McVay added. “They deserve their respect, but in a lot of respects for us, it was simple execution. Guys didn’t make plays in crunch time. We need guys to step up in certain spots.”
Aaron Donald forced a fumble and Troy Hill returned it 20 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter, but the Rams’ top-ranked defense couldn’t keep the Niners out of field goal range late. Los Angeles allowed only 135 yards in the second half, but Gould hit three field goals.
Goff passed for 198 yards for the Rams, who slipped out of first place in the division after managing just 34 yards on their final two drives.
“The defense played lights-out all day,” said Rams receiver Cooper Kupp, who had just two catches. “What they were able to do to the Niners was incredible. As an offense, we have to capitalize on those upswings. We have to do a better job.”
GETTING HEALTHY
San Francisco’s hopes of a second straight Super Bowl trip have been severely damaged by injuries, but several key players returned to boost this impressive win.
Along with Sherman, Raheem Mostert scored the Niners’ opening touchdown in his return from a four-game absence with a sprained ankle, and Deebo Samuel had 11 catches for 134 yards in his return from a hamstring injury.
SHERMAN’S RETURN
Out nine games to recover from a calf injury in the opener, Sherman returned in spectacular fashion. He made a team-high seven tackles, including one for loss, and he provided veteran presence for a secondary missing safety Jaquiski Tartt, as well as nickel back Jamar Taylor (knee) after halftime.
BIG MAN TD
Kinlaw scored his first career TD on his first career interception in his first game back from the reserve/COVID-19 list, rumbling into the end zone after Goff was hit as he threw on the second play of the second half.
2020.11.29 – En español : El programa “Los 49ers” (Video)
2020.11.29 – En español : El programa “Los 49ers” (Video)
INJURIES
49ers: San Francisco suspect Jamar Taylor tore his anterior cruciate ligament when his foot got caught in the turf while being blocked by Malcolm Brown just before halftime. Cornerback Ken Webster hurt his hamstring on fourth-quarter punt coverage. Shanahan reported no other injuries.
Rams: LB Troy Reeder had 15 tackles in place of leading tackler Micah Kiser.
UP NEXT
49ers: Host the Buffalo Bills somewhere on Dec. 7, but not at Levi’s Stadium.
Rams: Visit the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday.
Related – See below: 49ers prepared for three-week trip
Related: 49ers falter to fortuitous Saints
Read more at: San Francisco 49ers Media Services / More AP NFL
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49ers prepared for ‘bumps in the road’ on 3-week trip
Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers and other teams may need to find a temporary new home after Santa Clara County on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, banned all contact sports from holding games and practices for the next three weeks. County officials issued the directives in response to rising cases of the coronavirus in the area. The rules take effect Monday and will last for three weeks. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
2020.11.29 – The San Francisco 49ers are set to embark on an unusual three-week road trip after being kicked out of their stadium and practice facility because of strict new COVID-19 protocols in their home county.
The Niners will fly to Arizona on Wednesday where they will practice, live and play their next two games after Santa Clara County imposed a three-week ban on games and practices for contact sports.
The new rules that went into effect Monday and will last until at least Dec. 21 were announced Saturday as the Niners were preparing to fly to Los Angeles for a game against the Rams. The team scrambled to make new arrangements and settled on Arizona.
2020.11.29 – San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Video)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) carries against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
2020.11.29 – San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Video)
“You always expect bumps in the road no matter what you’re doing,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. “The biggest bump was just the shock of finding out how long it was a day before we played. That was the biggest thing. I think our guys are pretty good at once they hear the parameters of stuff and adjusting and just dealing with whatever, especially this year. We’re used to getting away for a week or so. But I can’t tell you how sick of each other we are after a week in a hotel. … A week’s not the daunting thing. It’s the month of December that guys get a little overwhelmed with. That’s why I’m just trying to get guys not think of it that way, even though the dates say that.”
Shanahan said the team looked into the possibility of practicing in the Bay Area outside of Santa Clara County and flying to Arizona for the games. But they couldn’t find a suitable location close enough to make it worth it and opted to go on the road for three weeks instead.
The Niners will fly out Wednesday afternoon and begin a normal week of practice Thursday at the site where the Arizona Cardinals held training camp in Glendale. The team will stay in a hotel near the practice facility and stadium before playing “home” games against Buffalo on Dec. 7 and Washington on Dec. 13.
San Francisco then plans to practice there again the following week before playing at Dallas on Dec. 20. With the next game scheduled on the road at Arizona on Dec. 26, Shanahan said he wasn’t sure whether the team would return to the Bay Area if the rules were relaxed by then or just stay in Arizona for an additional week.
But he did make one thing clear: “I just try to tell our guys that I don’t care what happens, we’re not going to spend Christmas without our families. We’ll figure it out. That’s really what I try to give to everyone just so they can say that to their families, because I think that is a concern.”
Shanahan said players could fly families down during this stretch to stay near the team although he suggested waiting a week to get situated first. He’s hopeful his family can come and possibly even see a game in person because Arizona allows families at games while the 49ers had no spectators at Levi’s Stadium.
The Niners have experience spending one week on the road, having done it between games back East the past two seasons. They won the second game on both of those trips.
This version won’t have any of the usual bonding time for players as COVID-19 protocols limit how much time players can have contact with each other. Shanahan said a 30-minute meal after a win at New Orleans last month led to positive tests.
But with the Niners (5-6) only one game out of a playoff spot, the team has plenty of reason to rally together and make a late-season push.
“When there’s more rewards and you’re seeing that you are in the fight, human nature is a lot more excited,” Shanahan said. “It’s easier to go through the grind when you have a chance to get into the tournament at the end.”
The Niners will be getting some reinforcements back with receiver Brandon Aiyuk and defensive linemen D.J. Jones expected to be activated this week from the COVID-19 list and return to practice.
Shanahan said quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) and All-Pro tight end George Kittle (foot) could get back on the field for individual workouts soon but aren’t ready for practice. He held out hope the two could return for the final two games of the season.
NOTES: CB Jamar Taylor will go on IR with a season-ending torn ACL. … CB Ken Webster (hamstring) also will be placed on IR. … Shanahan said he doesn’t expect C Weston Richburg (knee), DE Ronald Blair (knee) or DE Dee Ford (back) to return this season.
UP NEXT
49ers: Host the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 7, at State Farm Stadium, Glendale – ARZ.
Rams: Visit the Cardinals next Sunday, at State Farm Stadium, Glendale – ARZ.
Related: 49ers falter to fortuitous Saints
Read more at: San Francisco 49ers Media Services / More AP NFL
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more on the San Francisco 49ers, see the blog at www.EMIsportsCentral.com
49ERS FIT – Free 4-Day Pass
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