San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw makes a tackle on Los Angeles Rams quarterback Carson Wentz at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday JAN 7, 2024. (Terrell Lloyd-San Francisco 49ers)
by Marko Ukalovic
It was five and a half years in the making.
Carson Wentz led a second half comeback as the Los Angeles Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers 21-20 in the regular season finale on Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium. It was the first time the Rams have beat the 49ers in the regular season since December 30, 2018.
San Francisco has the bye week as the number one seed in the NFC and will enjoy the bye next week. Los Angeles finished as the sixth seed and will take on the Detroit Lions next weekend at Ford Field.
San Francisco were without quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle on offense as they were given an extra week off to rest their aching bodies.
“Our goal was to get the No. 1 seed, that was our first and foremost goal. We did. It was just a little bit weird this last week but I like how our guys handled it. I loved how our year went. We set out to do this. I was real happy with a number of guys. I thought guys got better throughout the year, but as our players have been saying, we still feel our best football’s forward. That’s kind of tough to generate when you’re not going through these games. But that’s why we got to be so locked into these practices. Just how we clean things up and make sure no matter what happens, no matter who comes here in a couple weeks. And no matter what type of game it is, whether it’s a shootout, a game of field goals, whatever it is, that we’re up for whatever it takes to win it,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said.
The 49ers (12-5) scored on its opening drive. Sam Darnold, who was in for starter Brock Purdy, led his team down the field on 12 play 75-yard drive that resulted in a one-yard rushing touchdown by running back Elijah Mitchell, who made the start for Christian McCaffery.
Los Angeles (10-7) were without the majority of their offensive starters including quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and running back Kyren Williams. Wentz, who signed with the Rams back in November, made his first start and answered with 11 play 75-yard scoring drive against the 49ers first team defense. He connected with rookie wide receiver sensation Puka Nacua for a 19-yard touchdown reception.
Darnold and the 49ers offense marched down the field on its next drive against the Rams defense that last nearly 10 minutes. San Francisco’s backup quarterback completed the 16 play 75-yard drive with a quarterback sneak for a one-yard rushing touchdown, his 14th of his career.
“Yeah, we got in a really good rhythm those first couple drives. That second half just couldn’t sustain rhythm or drives. They went on a couple long drives as well, but we’ve got to do something there to get that rhythm back. Obviously at the end, we had a chance and the ball didn’t bounce our way,” Darnold said.
The Niners defense recorded its first turnover on the Rams next drive. A pass intended for Tutu Atwell deflected off of his hands and safety Taylor Hawkins, who was just called up from the practice squad, made a diving interception at the Los Angeles 36-yard line for his first career interception.
“Just normal cover three, plays we run every day, and I was in the post. We have something called tips and overthrows and we have to get those. So that’s what it was, a tip, so I had to go get it,” Hawkins said.
San Francisco closed out the first half going up by two touchdowns. Darnold threw a tight ball to Ronnie Bell for a five-yard touchdown reception, Bell’s third of the season with 16 second remaining in the second quarter. However, kicker Jake Moody missed the extra point which snapped his own record of 60 straight PAT’s made to start a season.
Wentz drove the Rams down on their first drive in the second half that ate up 10:15 off the clock. Tyler Johnson made a difficult over the shoulder catch for an eight-yard touchdown reception, his first touchdown since October 2020. Kicker Brett Maher missed the extra point.
On that drive Nacua broke the single season records for most yards and catches by a rookie wide receiver. He broke Jaylen Waddle’s record of 104 catches he set in 2021 and then Bill Groman’s record of 1,473 performed in 1960.
Wentz led the game winning drive with 7:49 left in the fourth quarter. He needed just five plays to drive down the field 71 yards. Wentz scored the game winning touchdown with a quarterback draw up the middle for a 12-yard rushing touchdown, the 11th of his career. Atwell converted the two-point conversion to give the Rams a 21-20 lead with 4:56 remaining in the fourth quarter.
“It was fun. It was a lot of fun. It’s been over a year for me since I got game action and it’s been a weird year and season for me, but I had a lot of fun out there. It was fun to get to win, especially. But just playing with these guys, some of the guys I’ve been taking practice reps with on scout team, different faces out there. We all had a lot of fun and getting the win was even nicer,” Wentz said.
San Francisco regained the ball one final time with 55 second remaining with a chance to win the game, but Darnold was sacked and fumbled the ball with 25 seconds left recovered by Byron Young at the 49ers 43 yards line to end the comeback attempt.
Wentz finished the game 17 of 24 for 163 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He also led the Rams in rushing with 56 yards on 17 carries with one touchdown, 16 of those designed runs. The 16 designed runs by a quarterback in a single game was the most for the Rams since 1950. Tigth end Brycen Hopkins led the Rams in receiving with two catches for 47 yards.
Darnold went 16 of 26 for 189 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Mitchell rushed for 52 yards on 14 carries to lead the 49ers. Chris Conley led San Francisco in receiving with three catches for 69 yards.
GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 5-for-10 on third down conversions. Los Angeles was 9-for-15.
The 49ers finished the 2023 regular season with 491 total points scored, which is the 2nd most points scored in the regular season in franchise history.
The 49ers also registered 6,773 yds. in the regular season, which is the 2nd most total yds. in the regular season in franchise history.
The 49ers scored a TD on their opening possession for the 10th time this season and have scored an NFL-high 76points on the opening possession of games this season.
UP NEXT: San Francisco await their opponent for the Divisional Round of the NFC playoffs on the weekend of January 20/21.
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