The Rams dominated the first half, taking a 21-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
But they provided the 49ers with hope, gaining only 33 yards on 10 plays on their final two possessions and punting twice. The 49ers got within two touchdowns on a seven-play, 36-yard drive that ended with Jauan Jennings’ 6-yard touchdown catch.
The Rams outgained the 49ers 231 to 182.
They had touchdown drives of 64, 86 and 59 yards, with Kyren Williams scoring on a 2-yard run, Puka Nacua on a 22-yard reception and Davis Allen on a 4-yard catch. Allen’s touchdown, which was Matthew Stafford’s 400th career touchdown pass, followed Jennings’ fumble.
Stafford was 14-of-23 for 173 yards and two touchdowns, with Davante Adams catching five passes for 75 yards and Nacua three for 47. Williams rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
Mac Jones, making his eighth start of the season in place of Brock Purdy, completed 15 of 19 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, with Jennings catching six for 71 yards and a touchdown. George Kittle had five receptions for 56 yards.
Matthew Stafford looked like he was going to try to run for a 4-yard touchdown. The Rams quarterback thought better of it as he rolled right, seeing the 49ers defense blocking his path.
Then, it appeared he was going to throw it away and live to see another day.
Davis Allen, though, popped open at the back of the end zone. The 4-yard touchdown throw to Allen was the 400th of Stafford’s career.
He joins Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539), Aaron Rodgers (517), Brett Favre (508), Philip Rivers (421), Dan Marino (420) and Ben Roethlisberger (418) in the elite club.
Stafford is 11-for-16 for 139 yards and two touchdowns, with his first scoring toss going to Puka Nacua for 22 yards.
The Rams lead the 49ers 21-0.
The Rams are crushing the 49ers early on.
Los Angeles has outgained San Francisco 145 to 8 and outscored the 49ers 14-0.
The Rams drove 64 yards in 10 plays and 86 yards in seven plays, getting a 2-yard touchdown run by Kyren Williams and a 22-yard catch-and-run score by Puka Nacua.
The 49ers went three-and-out on their first possession.
Matthew Stafford is 8-of-12 for 105 yards and a touchdown, with Davante Adams catching three for 48 and Nacua two for 32. Williams has four carries for 25 yards.
49ers linebacker Tatum Bethune left for the sideline medical tent.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this week that he is confident Brock Purdy will return this season. Today won’t be that day.
The 49ers list their starting quarterback among their inactives, leaving Adrian Martinez to again backup Mac Jones.
The team had already named Jones as the starting quarterback, but, like last week, the 49ers listed Purdy as questionable with the hope that he could serve as the backup.
Purdy has not played since Week 4 when he aggravated his toe injury, which he originally hurt in Week 1.
Jones is making his eighth start of the season.
The 49ers’ other inactives are defensive tackle Alfred Collins (hip), wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee), running back Jordan James, offensive lineman Connor Colby, defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez and safety Marques Sigle.
Linebackers Tatum Bethune (thigh) and Dee Winters (knee) are active after questionable designations.
The Rams’ inactives are quarterback Stetson Bennett IV, running back Jarquez Hunter, offensive lineman Beaux Limmer, offensive lineman D.J. Humphries, defensive end Desjuan Johnson, long snapper Alex Ward and kicker Joshua Karty.
The Rams elevated long snapper Jake McQuaide and kicker Harrison Mevis from their practice squad, and they will play today.
The Rams are the best team in the NFL. It has a lot to do with their offense. It also has a lot to do with their defense.
In eight games, the Rams’ defense has allowed 10 points or fewer four times. That’s the most in the NFL this season.
They’ve done it for three straight games. If they do it today against the 49ers, they’ll be the first team since 2009 to do it four games in a row since the 2009 Broncos.
The game has bigger consequences for the Rams. They’ve already lost to the 49ers once. Lose again, and the 49ers will have the primary tiebreaker. Along with a half-game lead in the standings at 7-3. The Rams, if they lose, will be 6-3.
