A tie. You don’t win, you don’t lose. It’s completely Switzerland. And it happens sometimes in sports… like in this week’s 49ers and Rams. Here are some top plays that led to this interesting predicament:
Honorable Mention: Colin Kaepernick TD Run
With the 49ers down by two scores, starting QB Alex Smith was knocked out of the game with a concussion. Second year backup QB Colin Kaepernick took his place and used his mobility to make plays. With the 49ers down 10 in the fourth quarter, Kaepernick led the 49ers down field, capping the drive with a 7 yard TD run to put them back in the game.
“He did a very good job,” coach Jim Harbaugh. “There was no sense of uptightness, or tenseness. He was very good.”
5. The Fake Punt
Midway through the 4th quarter with the Rams down by 4, punter Johnny Hekker lined up to give the ball back to the 49ers, but instead threw it to a wide open man for the first down. The drive later ended with a go-ahead TD score by the Rams.
St. Louis also tricked the 49ers with the same play earlier in the game.
“It worked just as we drew it up in practice,” Hekker said postgame. “It was something San Francisco did that was unsound. They left our gunner wide open and didn’t bring anyone out to cover him. It’s something we were ready for and prepared for.”
4. Fumble by Isaiah Pead on Rams kickoff return
On the ensuing kickoff after Kaepernick’s TD run, the Rams return man Isaiah Pead fumbled near the sideline, which was recovered by the 49ers. On the very next play, 49ers RB Frank Gore ran it in from 20 yards out to give the 49ers the lead in a quick 14 point swing.
3. Delay of Game penalty on Rams game winning field goal
With 3 minutes left in overtime, the Rams were in position to try a 53 yard field goal. Kicker Greg Zeurlein booted the kick straight through the uprights, but the play was negated by a delay of game penalty. On the next try, a 58 yarder, Zeurlein missed to the right and gave the 49ers the ball back.
“I didn’t realize a penalty was called when I kicked it. I thought that kick was going to be the game,” Zeurlein said. “In my opinion we should have won. You have a field goal attempt to win the game, you should make it.”
2. David Akers missed FG to win
With the opportunity to win the game, 49ers kicker David Akers lined up for a 41-yard field goal, which seemed like a chip shot for a kicker of his caliber. But… the kick missed just outside the left upright, and the wild game continued.
1. Penalty on 80 yard pass and the potential game winning score
On the very first play of overtime, Rams QB Sam Bradford launched a deep pass to Danny Amendola, who beat the coverage and took it all the way down to the 2-yard line before being caught by Donte Whitner. However! The play was negated by an illegal formation penalty which forced the Rams all the way back where they started.
“We got all the way down there and they threw the flag,” Bradford said. “You know, going back and looking I think was it the right call, but I don’t know if I have ever seen that where they don’t throw a flag and they decided to throw one after the play was over.”
