Christian McCaffery spikes the football after scoring one of his three touchdowns at SoFi Stadium on Sunday OCT 30, 2022. (San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

Chistian McCaffery has made history in just nine days with his new team.

McCaffery scored a touchdown every which but loose as he led the San Francisco 49ers to a convincing 31-14 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium. In just his second game in a Niners uniform, he became the first running back in franchise history to throw, receive and run for a touchdown in the same game.

San Francisco evened their record to 4-4 as they rebounded from a blowout loss to Kansas City last week. Los Angeles followed their bye week with a loss as they fell to 3-4 on the season. The 49ers extended its regular season win streak to eight games against the Rams having swept the season series four years in a row.

It was a tale of two halves as Los Angeles had an answer on third down and San Francisco wasn’t able to get into a rhythm during the first half.

Los Angeles’ offense was on the field for the majority of the first quarter. They went on a long 17 play 88-yard drive that chewed up 9:21 off the clock. Quarterback Matthew Stafford finished off epic drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown where he dived into the right corner of the end zone. Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson each had three catches on the drive as Stafford was able to spread the ball around during the drive.

San Francisco were without wide receiver standout Deebo Samuel and fullback Kyle Juszczyk. The silver lining was that head coach Kyle Shanahan was able to utilize McCaffery in the offensive scheme.

San Francisco responded on their next drive with a six play 71-yard drive that resulted in McCaffery taking a pitch from quarterback Jimmy Garopollo and then throwing a pass to wide open Brandon Aiyuk for a 34-yard touchdown completion in just under three minutes.

“I think everyone knows how good of a player he is,” said Shanahan regarding McCaffery’s play. “I just like consistent he is. Under control of what he does. He’s a very much player. Even though he makes a lot of plays and stuff, the consistency of how he plays is I think a great guy to have for us.”

Stafford answered back as the Rams marched down the field with a nine play 75-yard drive when he connected with all-pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp in the back of the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown completion.

Los Angeles was able to convent six of its first eight third down conversions as San Francisco’s defensive front was not able to get pressure on Stafford and allowed the Rams offense to pick up first down and keep drives alive.

The second half both the offense and defense came alive for San Francisco as McCaffery took over on the offensive side of the ball and Fred Warner took over on the defensive side.

The 49ers exercised a long drive of their own in third quarter when they went on a 11 play 88-yard drive to gain its first lead of the game. On a third and three, Garopollo threw a high ball down the right sideline where McCaffery jumped up to haul in a nine-yard touchdown reception to put San Francisco up 17-14 with 1:51 left in the third quarter.

McCaffery had 183 all-purpose yards with 94 on the ground on 18 carries, 55 receiving on eight catches and 34 through the air as he showed why the 49ers traded for him to add to their offensive arsenal.

“I think the biggest thing is coming out with a win and playing a second half like that too,” said McCaffery who downplayed his accomplishment. “I think the thing I’m most happy about is this whole team welcoming me with open arms. Especially the running back room, they just helped me all week and learn everything. I’m just proud to be a 49er and glad we got the win today.”

San Francisco’s defense dominated the fourth quarter not as they did not allow Los Angeles to score a point in the second half. They forced three 3-and-outs in the second half and never let Stafford establish the rhythm he had in the first half. Warner and Nick Bosa each sacked Stafford that resulted in punts.

“We made some adjustments coverage wise. I think just getting kind of more in third and more favorable down and distances, to be able to tee up and (get) more pressures on third down, I think that’s what made Stafford uncomfortable,” Warner said.

The 49ers went up 24-14 early in the fourth quarter on a six play 58-yard drive. McCaffery set up his third touchdown of the game, a one yard rushing touchdown) when he rushed up the middle for 24 yards to highlight the drive.

San Francisco sealed the deal when Garoppolo connected with tight end George Kittle with on a seven-yard touchdown reception with 6:41 left in the fourth quarter. The drive was set up with a Ross Dwelley 56-yard reception to the Rams 14-yard line.

Garopollo finished the afternoon with one of his most efficient games going 21 of 25 for 235 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a rating of 132.5. Aiyuk led the San Francisco in receiving six catches for 81 yards and one touchdown. Kittle chipped in three catches for 39 yards and one touchdown.

“I think that’s when the game is won in the beginning of the third quarter. We had a chance to come out and take advantage of that and guys did. We calmed down. We settled into our game plan. Guys just stuck with it and I think the results speak for themselves,” Garoppolo said.

Stafford went 22 of 33 for 187 yards with one touchdown no interceptions and a rating of 91.4. Kupp, who left the field with an undisclosed injury late in the game, led Los Angeles in receiving with eight catches for 79 yards and one touchdown. Allen Robinson chipped in with five catches for 55 yards.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco went 5-for-9 on third down conversions. Los Angeles was 8-for-13.

San Francisco held Los Angeles to 56 yards rushing.

Shanahan reported the 49ers didn’t suffer any injuries during the game.

UP NEXT: The 49ers have the bye next week and return to action on Sunday 11/13 when they host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football at Levi’s Stadium.