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It didn’t affect the 49ers in the standings, but there were a couple things to take away from their loss to the Rams:
The 49ers were locked into the No. 1 seed, which meant their Week 18 game vs. the Rams had more to do with getting ready for the postseason than anything.
San Francisco wound up losing 21-20 at Levi’s Stadium.
While the game couldn’t affect the 49ers’ place in the standings, there were still a handful of things to take away from the contest. Here’s what we found:
Notes and observations from the 49ers’ loss to the Rams in the regular season finale:
The 49ers’ regular season is over. It ended Sunday with a 21-20 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams.
San Francisco had its No. 1 seed locked up and sat most of its starters for most of the game. LA sat most of its starters as well, giving the game a distinctly preseason feel.
The loss marked the first one for the 49ers in the regular season vs. the Rams since the 2018 season. It also snapped a 12-game win streak vs. NFC West opponents for San Francisco.
Here are our observations from the Week 18 contest at Levi’s Stadium:
The rookie pass rusher out of Georgia got on the board with the first sack of his career. `
After safety Tayler Hawkins got on the board with a diving interception in his NFL debut, another young member of the San Francisco 49ers made an impact in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams.
In the third game of his young career, rookie pass rusher Robert Beal secured the first sack of his career against Carson Wentz. Beal came around the edge for a sack on a Wentz play-action play on second and ten from the 26-yard line. With Beal’s sack, the 49ers defense forced the Rams into a third and 17 from the 33-yard line.
Via @49ers on Twitter:
DAWG! @robertbeal6#LARvsSF on FOX
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/SMxi5lWcnz— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 7, 2024
This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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After running in a touchdown earlier, Sam Darnold added a touchdown pass in the first half against the Rams.
After sneaking in a rushing touchdown early, Sam Darnold got on the board through the air before halftime against the Los Angeles Rams.
With Brock Purdy is on the sideline, Sam Darnold rifled in a touchdown pass to rookie Ronnie Bell. From five yards out, Darnold spun a touchdown pass into a tight window for the rookie pass catcher out of Michigan.
With a touchdown through the air and on the ground from Darnold, the 49ers jumped out to a commanding 21-7 lead before halftime against their division rivals.
Via @49ers on Twitter:
TOUCHDOWN @Ronnieb_8#LARvsSF on FOX
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/7vOzaU7R1g— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 7, 2024
This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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A debut to remember for the young 49ers safety.
With injuries to Ji’Ayir Brown and Tashaun Gipson Sr. in the San Francisco 49ers secondary, an opportunity opened for undrafted free-agent safety Tayler Hawkins.
In his NFL debut, the former San Diego State Aztec wasted no time making an impact on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
When a Carson Wentz pass was tipped and fluttered through the air, Hawkins fully extended for a highlight-reel diving interception to give the 49ers the ball back.
Via @49ers on Twitter:
Ball hawk @taylerhawkinsss ‼️#LARvsSF on FOX
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/uPGAYdjuL4— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 7, 2024
This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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Elijah Mitchell tallied the 49ers’ league-leading 10th opening drive touchdown of the season.
Although Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey were on the sideline, the San Francisco 49ers did what they always do on the opening drive of Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams.
With Sam Darnold under center, the 49ers marched right down the field on their way to their league-leading 10th touchdown of the season on the opening drive of the game.
While Darnold went a perfect 5-for-5, Elijah Mitchell finished the drive off with a 1-yard touchdown run up the middle. Behind Mitchell’s run, the 49ers took an early 7-0 lead over the Rams.
Via @49ers on Twitter:
Elijah Mitchell boomin! @EliMitch15#LARvsSF on FOX
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/oTtIDnGFbT— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 7, 2024
This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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Brock Purdy is resting – everyone else who’s healthy is suiting up for the #49ers.
The 49ers didn’t have any surprises on their list of Week 18 inactives. Quarterback Brock Purdy has been ruled out and he will not be designated as the emergency third QB. Sam Darnold will start, and Brandon Allen is his backup.
Here’s who won’t suit up for San Francisco:
QB Brock Purdy
DT Arik Armstead (foot, knee)
RB Christian McCaffrey (calf)
SS Tashaun Gipson (quad)
FS Ji’Ayir Brown (knee)
CB Ambry Thomas (hand)
WR Jauan Jennings (concussion)
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk, center Jake Brendel and left tackle Trent Williams were all listed as questionable with an illness, but they’ll all dress for the game. It’s unclear how sizable their roles will be, along with the other starters playing against the Rams.
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An intense, serious football conversation about 49ers-Rams with the Rams Wire:
The 49ers aren’t playing for anything in the final week of the regular season now that they have the No. 1 seed in the NFC wrapped up. Their opponent, the Los Angeles Rams, could conceivably be playing for the No. 6 seed instead of the No. 7 seed, but they’re opting instead to rest players to ensure health for their wild card matchup.
With both San Francisco and LA treating Week 18 as ostensibly a preseason matchup, we reached out to our buddy Cam DaSilva at the Rams Wire for perhaps the most serious 49ers-Rams analysis on the internet.
You’re all welcome:
Here are some #49ers backups to keep an eye on in Sunday’s game vs. the Rams:
It doesn’t sound like the 49ers are planning on outright resting many starters vs. the Rams. In fact, their injury situation is such that they can’t rest more than a couple players in order to field a full team.
The more likely scenario than players simply sitting out the game is that most starters will begin the game and then get removed at a certain point to make way for backups, a la the way the third preseason game is typically handled.
With some starters either injured, sitting out, or possibly taking on a more limited role, it should open the door for a handful of players to get an extended opportunity:
49ers DE Clelin Ferrell has plenty to play for Sunday with a pair of contract incentives in reach.
While the 49ers as a team don’t have much to play for in Week 18 vs. the Rams, defensive end Clelin Ferrell will have plenty of motivation to put together a strong performance.
Ferrell according to the Action Network has a pair of contract incentives on the line in the 49ers’ season finale.
There’s a $250,000 bonus for him if he plays 50 percent of the team’s snaps for the season. He’s sitting at 45 percent entering Sunday. There could be additional opportunities for him with San Francisco likely to either rest or limit the roles of their starters.
More snaps for Ferrell may also help him reach his second incentive. He has a $100,000 bonus that kicks in if he reaches 5.0 sacks for the season. Ferrell has 3.5 on the year. It’s not out of the question that he racks up the 1.5 he needs, particularly if he sees an extended role against a Rams offense that’s sitting most of its star players.
If Nick Bosa and Chase Young both take back seats Sunday, watch for Ferrell to put together a big game to try and reach that additional $350,000 that could be heading his way.
There’s an added incentive too though. Ferrell joined the 49ers on a one-year deal, which means he’ll hit free agency this offseason. He’s had a nice year for San Francisco, but capping it with a couple sacks in the finale could mean a bigger pay day coming his way in the offseason.
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