Things you might have missed in Monday’s Rams-49ers game
Did you notice these small details that often led to big plays in the Rams’ 28-0 loss to the 49ers Monday night at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara?
FIRST QUARTER
On the sack of Rams’ Case Keenum inside the 10 that set up the 49ers’ first scoring drive, San Francisco linebacker Ahmad Brooks began the play outside-left, looped to the inside on a stunt and got inside off-balance guard Jamon Brown to reach the quarterback. The punt set up the 49ers at their 48.
On Carlos Hyde’s 11-yard touchdown run, tight end Garrett Celek ran across the formation to shove the Rams’ Mark Barron out of the play and Anthony Davis stood up defensive tackle Cam Thomas to help open the gaping hole.
SECOND QUARTER
49ers defensive tackle Quinton Dial bull-rushed his way deep in the pocket and didn’t need to raise his hand very high to deflect Keenum’s pass, which was grabbed by Navarro Bowman for an interception. Bowman had both hands on the ball, but after a struggle for possession ended up squeezing the ball between his legs to complete the catch.
Speaking of Bowman, it didn’t appear any Rams blocker was able to reach the second level and block the 49ers linebacker in the first half.
On a key fourth-and-six play on San Francisco’s second touchdown drive, Jeremy Kerley beat Rams corner Coty Sensabaugh on a slant for a first-down catch.
On Shaun Draughn’s three-yard touchdown sweep, 49ers tight end Vance McDonald sealed the end by shoving Eugene Simms inside. Rams safety T.J. McDonald pursued but was unable to stop Draughn from turning the corner.
Four of the Rams’ seven first-half drives lasted just three plays. Longest drive was their first of the night: eight plays. For the 49ers it was a different story: five of their seven drives lasted at least six plays, including Gabbert’s kneel-down to end the first half.
THIRD QUARTER
Jimmie Ward blitzed from the left corner to force Keenum to throw quickly, and the quarterback was way off target as he tried to connect with Lance Kendricks. Ray-Ray Armstrong jumped in front of the errant pass and killed the Rams’ best drive, deep inside 49ers territory.
The 49ers’ had negative yardage in the third quarter until Blaine Gabbert hit Quinton Patton for a 13-yard gain on the last play of the period to give them plus-eight.
FOURTH QUARTER
Patton set up the 49ers’ third touchdown when he beat Sen-sabaugh on an in-pattern from the outside and then the Rams corner fell, allowing Patton to loop back to the outside and advance San Francisco 35 yards to the red zone. Vance McDonald completed the drive by turning away from Barron for a touchdown catch just past the goal line.
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