Another week, another win.
The San Francisco 49ers improve to 5-0 with a 20-7 victory over the Los Angeles Rams (3-3) in their first division matchup of the season. Notably, with their fifth win, the 49ers have already won more games this year than they did all of last season, when they finished 4-12.
After holding the Browns to three points last week, the 49ers defense picked up right where it left off, limiting the Rams to seven points on the afternoon. Rams quarterback, Jared Goff, was held to a career-low 78 yards passing on a less than efficient 3.3 yards per attempt. Lacking any semblance of an aerial attack, Los Angeles was only able to find the endzone once, on a drive during which they attempted zero passes.
The 49ers defensive line continues to get after quarterbacks, as they finished with four sacks of Goff, highlighted by 1.5 by offseason acquisition Dee Ford. They didn’t allow the Rams to convert a single third or fourth down conversion, as they went 0-9 and 0-4 respectively.
On offense, the 49ers weren’t perfect, but they didn’t need to be with the way the defense was playing.
After going three-and-out on the first possession of the game, San Francisco methodically marched down the field and scored on a 2-yard run by running back Tevin Coleman.
Coming out of halftime tied 7-7, 49ers defensive end, Arik Armstead, immediately strip-sacked Goff and the 49ers promptly found the end zone when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo took it in on a 2-yard sneak.
The 49ers would pad their lead with a couple of Robbie Gould field goals to comfortably win the game
The 49ers made the short trip to Southern California for the matchup on the road this weekend, but as far as they were concerned, it was a home game. Fans wearing red and gold far outnumbered those in blue and yellow, and the crowd’s presence had a remarkable impact on the game. As a result of the loud roars of the 49ers Faithful, Los Angeles was called for several false start penalties as they struggled to hear their snap counts.
With the win, San Francisco remains atop the NFC and appear primed for their first playoff appearance since the 2013 season. They will look for another victory next week as they head to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Redskins (1-5).
