NFL games are a spectrum. Some are back-and-forth shootouts. Others are duds without much scoring at all.
The Los Angeles Rams have played games on each extreme in a four-day span and come out on top in both. Following their Week 14 shootout win over the Buffalo Bills, their Week 15 defeat of the San Francisco 49ers on “Thursday Night Football” landed more on the “dud” end.
The Rams took home the critical divisional win, 12-6, on a rainy night in Santa Clara.
The poor weather conditions played a major part in the low-scoring affair punctuated by drops, overthrows and many, many punts. In the end, neither team was able to find the end zone, so all of the scoring on Thursday night came exclusively in the form of field goals.
Ultimately, a Darious Williams interception of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy late in the fourth quarter sealed the win for Los Angeles.
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The win put the Rams within half a game of the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West lead, and it sent the 49ers two games below .500.
Here’s the full story of how it happened:
Rams vs. 49ers highlights
Rams 12, 49ers 6: Joshua Karty extends lead with 18 seconds left
A third consecutive Rams drive ended with a field goal as Los Angeles built a seemingly unsurmountable six-point lead with 18 seconds remaining in the game.
Darious Williams’ interception set up the scoring drive, which went 69 yards on 13 plays and milked 4:56 of the game clock to give the 49ers precious few seconds to work with on offense.
Darious Williams intercepts Brock Purdy in the end zone
The 49ers made it into Los Angeles territory for a few plays, but an overthrown Brock Purdy pass intended for Jauan Jennings ended up in Darious Williams’ hands.
The Rams take over possession at their own 20-yard line after the interception and touchback.
Rams 9, 49ers 6: Joshua Karty gives Rams their first lead
Los Angeles has come up short in the red zone on back-to-back drives in the fourth quarter. Still, Joshua Karty’s third field goal of the night was enough to give the Rams the lead for the first time.
It’s 9-6 Los Angeles with 9:28 minutes to go.
Matthew Stafford takes deep shot to Puka Nacua
On the first play of the Rams’ second fourth quarter possession, Matthew Stafford heaved a 51-yard pass down field to find Puka Nacua. The longest play of the game by far gave Los Angeles the ball on the 49ers’ 16-yard line.
However, the Rams were not able to achieve a first down and had to settle for another field goal attempt.
49ers 6, Rams 6: Joshua Karty ties the game
Despite having a second-and-3 at the 4-yard line to start the fourth quarter, the Rams are unable to get in the end zone. They settle for a 23-yard field goal instead.
It’s 6-6 with 13:38 left to play.
End of third quarter: 49ers 6, Rams 3
The only scores have been a few field goals so far through 45 minutes. However, the Rams will begin the fourth quarter on San Francisco’s 4-yard line.
The weather seems to have cleared up, setting up a potentially more exciting final 15 minutes of action.
49ers 6, Rams 3: Jake Moody puts the 49ers back ahead
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel dropped a third-down pass that could have resulted in a first down, so the 49ers had to settle for a 47-yard field goal attempt.
Jake Moody knocked it through to stay a perfect 2-for-2 on the night, and San Francisco takes the lead once again, 6-3, with 8:23 left in the third quarter.
End of first half: 49ers 3, Rams 3
The first half of a game heavily affected by poor weather conditions was not much to write home about. The teams combined for just six points in a full 30 minutes of play, with each one kicking a single field goal.
The Rams will receive the second half kickoff.
49ers 3, Rams 3: Joshua Karty ties the game ahead of halftime
The Rams took advantage of their good starting field position, and after over 20 minutes without another score, their kicker nailed his 48-yard field goal attempt to tie the game at 3.
The 49ers will get one final possession with just over one minute to play before the half.
Weather playing major factor in 49ers vs. Rams
The rain is coming down heavily in Santa Clara, and it has limited both teams’ productivity. Receivers on both teams have been unable to haul in passes that hit them in the hands, and both quarterbacks have had some bad misses.
Additionally, there have already been several potential interceptions that hit defenders in the chest before falling harmlessly to the ground.
End of first quarter: 49ers 3, Rams 0
On a rainy night in Santa Clara, it’s been a game dominated by defense through the first 15 minutes. Jake Moody’s field goal five minutes into the game remains the only score of the game so far.
The 49ers have the ball on their own 36-yard line to start the second quarter.
Puka Nacua gives his best ‘helmet catch’ impression
On the first play of the Rams’ ensuing drive, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford targeted Puka Nacua on a 7-yard pass. The second-year receiver bobbled the ball initially before pinning the ball against a 49ers defender’s helmet and holding on as they fell to the ground.
Los Angeles was ultimately unable to advance any further and ended their drive on a second straight three-and-out.
49ers 3, Rams 0: Jake Moody starts the scoring
Following back-to-back three-and-outs, the 49ers made it into Rams territory thanks to a 33-yard catch-and-run by tight end George Kittle. San Francisco kicker Jake Moody knocked through a 53-yard field goal after the drive stalled at the Los Angeles 35.
It’s 3-0 49ers after five minutes of action.
49ers vs. Rams start time
Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 PT)
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
The Rams travel north to Santa Clara to take on the 49ers in their home building.
49ers vs. Rams TV channel
Live stream: Amazon Prime Video
TV channel: Fox 11 (Los Angeles market) | Fox 2 (San Francisco market)
‘Thursday Night Football’ will exclusively stream on Amazon Prime Video for a national audience.
Fans in the Los Angeles market hoping to catch the game on TV can watch on Fox 11, while those in San Francisco’s viewing market can watch on Fox 2.
Watch’Thursday Night Football’with a Prime Video subscription
Rams vs. 49ers predictions, picks
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the matchup between the Rams and 49ers will play out come kickoff:
Lorenzo Reyes: 49ers 28, Rams 23
Tyler Dragon: Rams 26, 49ers 21
Richard Morin: Rams 28, 49ers 27
Jordan Mendoza: Rams 25, 49ers 24
49ers vs. Rams live stream
Live stream: Amazon Prime Video
For viewers looking for the “TNF” matchup between the 49ers and Rams, you can tune to Amazon Prime Video.
Watch’Thursday Night Football’with a Prime Video subscription
Who are the ‘Thursday Night Football’ announcers for Amazon Prime Video?
Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth for Prime Video, with Kaylee Hartung (sideline) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) providing additional coverage.
The Prime Video pregame, halftime and postgame shows feature Charissa Thompson as host, as well as former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.
Taylor Rooks is the feature reporter for Prime Video’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ coverage. Albert Breer provides reports and analysis.
49ers inactives vs. Rams
Both Nick Bosa and Dre Greenlaw will play against the Rams. For Greenlaw, Thursday night’s game represents his first on-field action since suffering a bizarre Achilles injury in Super Bowl 58 while running back onto the field.
While the 49ers offense will have Isaac Guerendo available, 11-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Williams is out.
QB Joshua Dobbs
LT Trent Williams
DL Khalil Davis
S Malik Mustapha
RB Israel Abanikanda
CB Rock Ya-Sin
Rams inactives vs. 49ers
RB Cody Schrader
LB Brennan Jackson
OL Dylan McMahon
OL Warren McClendon Jr.
Rams vs. 49ers odds, moneyline, over/under
The 49ers are favorites to defeat the Rams, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.
Spread: 49ers (-2.5)
Moneyline: 49ers (-150); Rams (+125)
Over/under: 48.5
Thursday Night Football best bets
Looking to make the “TNF” game a little bit more interesting? Here are some of the best bets for tonight’s 49ers-Rams tilt. All odds are via BetMGM as of Thursday.
Kyren Williams OVER 73.5 rushing yards (-115);
Matthew Stafford UNDER 0.5 rushing yards (-120);
Kyle Juszczyk anytime TD (+750)
Isaac Guerendo injury update
Isaac Guerendo plans to play against the Rams on Thursday night, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
He left Sunday’s win with what head coach Kyle Shanahan called a possible foot sprain. Guerendo didn’t seem too concerned about his availability for ‘Thursday Night Football,’ saying, via NBC Sports Bay Area, after the game that the team was just being cautious.
49ers planning to get Deebo Samuel more touches
The 49ers are a better team when they a variety of ways to get Deebo Samuel the ball, especially when the offense is missing players such as Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk. The wideout is the second player in NFL history to register 4,000-plus receiving yards and 1,000-plus rushing yards in his first five seasons.
Samuel should be a focal point of the 49ers offense if the team wants to defeat the Rams, get out of last place in the NFC West and make a late postseason surge. The 49ers seem to understand that after Samuel’s deleted social media post. — Tyler Dragon
Where is 49ers vs. Rams?
The “TNF” matchup between the 49ers and Rams is taking place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Levi’s Stadium opened in 2014. It was the host venue for Super Bowl 50, which was won by the Denver Broncos over the Carolina Panthers. Levi’s Stadium also will host Super Bowl 60 on Feb. 8, 2026.
Rams vs. 49ers weather forecast
Game time temperatures at Levi’s Stadium will be in the mid-50s, according to AccuWeather. There is a good chance for precipitation during the game.
NFC West standings
The Seahawks are currently in control of the NFC West, but the division is still very much up for grabs entering the remainder of the season.
Seattle Seahawks (8-5)
Los Angeles Rams (7-6)
Arizona Cardinals (6-7)
San Francisco 49ers (6-7)
Who holds the NFC West tiebreaker in race for division title?
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have the clearest path to challenging the Seahawks. They could earn a head-to-head sweep over the Seahawks, which could prove critical in deciding a two-team tiebreaker. The Rams also have the most games remaining against the division among the four teams. That gives Los Angeles a chance to improve its 2-1 divisional record.
Getting to four wins would position the Rams to win that tiebreaker category, provided they beat the Seahawks in Week 18.
San Francisco 49ers
No team has a bigger uphill battle to climb to win the NFC West than the 49ers.
San Francisco only has one divisional win, and the best it can hope for in its two remaining head-to-head matchups is to split with the Rams and Cardinals. Both teams have already taken down the 49ers once this year.
49ers playoff odds
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the 49ers have odds of +1000 to make the playoffs entering Week 15. That gives San Francisco a 9.09% chance of qualifying for the postseason.
49ers remaining schedule
The 49ers’ remaining four opponents have a combined winning percentage of .596, per Tankathon. That is tied for the fifth-hardest remaining schedule among the NFL’s 32 teams.
Below is a full look at San Francisco’s schedule:
Week 15: vs. Los Angeles Rams (7-6)
Week 16: at Miami Dolphins (6-7)
Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions (12-1)
Week 18: at Arizona Cardinals (6-7)
Rams remaining schedule
The Rams’ remaining four opponents have a combined winning percentage of .442, per Tankathon. That ranks 21st among the NFL’s 32 teams, meaning that Los Angeles will finish the season with an easier schedule than average.
Below is a full look at Los Angeles’ schedule:
Week 15: at San Francisco 49ers (6-7)
Week 16: at New York Jets (3-10)
Week 17: vs. Arizona Cardinals (6-7)
Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)
Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins?
The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl wins with six.
The 49ers have eight total Super Bowl appearances and five rings to show for it, the most recent victory coming during the 1994 season in Super Bowl XXIX.
The Rams have played in five Super Bowls — winning two, most recently Super Bowl 56 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
NFL franchises with most Super Bowl wins:
New England Patriots — 6
Pittsburgh Steelers — 6
Dallas Cowboys — 5
San Francisco 49ers — 5
Green Bay Packers — 4
Kansas City Chiefs — 4
New York Giants — 4
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