49ers 24, Rams 9: Instant analysis as highlight shines on Samuel, Hufanga

SANTA CLARA — Deebo Samuel’s first-fifty percent touchdown revived the 49ers’ period. Talanoa Hufanga’s second-50 % touchdown saved the 49ers’ Monday night win.

Individuals large plays, by this early season’s final playmakers, were being vital to the 49ers’ 24-9 victory in excess of the Los Angeles Rams.

Samuel’s majestic 57-garden capture-and-run stretched the 49ers’ halftime guide to 14-6, but this 49ers year experienced previously noticed second-50 % sales opportunities evaporate in losses at Chicago and Denver.

So, Hufanga designed certain that this direct was safe and sound. His 52-yard interception return for a acquire-clinching score had the 49ers (2-2) celebrating their seventh straight standard-year win over the Rams, who did earn last season’s NFC Championship Sport matchup en route to a Tremendous Bowl triumph.

The 49ers future head on a 10-day highway trip, which include a 3rd yearly layover in West Virginia amongst game titles at Charlotte and Atlanta. All 4 groups in the NFC West are 2-2, but the 49ers are the only types who stand 2- in divisional engage in. That sure is a improve of scenery right after flopping on prime time last Sunday in an 11-10 decline at Denver.

This sixth straight home win was not a gimmie.

But the moment their guide was trimmed to 7-6 in the 2nd quarter, the 49ers essential a major-time perform, and Samuel shipped with his initially landing capture of the time, and he did so in his 2021 All-Professional type.

On third-and-3 from his very own 43, Samuel lined up still left, cut inside of, and at the time Jimmy Garoppolo’s go barely cleared the interception-looking for Derion Kendrick, Samuel was off and managing — racing 50 yards after the capture. Alongside the way across the industry, he broke tackles (tried by Taylor Rapp and Jalen Ramsey) when buying up blocks from George Kittle, Kyle Juszczyk and Brandon Aiyuk.

The groups then traded field aims just after aim-line stands, with the 49ers settling for Robbie Gould’s 25-lawn kick just after George Kittle virtually scored a third-and-objective landing but stepped on the close line. Gould missed a 42-lawn area-target attempt with 8:38 remaining, ruining the 49ers’ shot at extending their lead after a 29-lawn catch by Samuel on third-and-13.

Then arrived Hufanga, a second-yr basic safety whose stellar get started to this season went up a different notch with his second interception this year — the pick-six. He lined up in the slot, then properly timed Matthew Stafford’s move to Cooper Kupp, a mixture that hooked up for 14 completions.

All the Rams’ scoring arrived through a few industry targets. The 49ers, like their dwelling-opening earn in excess of Seattle, scored three touchdowns.

Touting the NFL’s best protection in conditions of fewest yards allowed, the 49ers racked up 7 sacks from Stafford, with ex-Ram Samson Ebukam’s second sack in the waning minutes resulting in a fumble that Kery Hyder Jr. recovered. Nick Bosa also experienced two sacks, even though Deommodore Lenoir, Charles Omenihu and Hassan Ridgeway experienced one particular apiece.

Jeff Wilson Jr. (18 carries, 74 yards) place the 49ers ahead 7-3 with a 32-garden landing operate on their opening possession. Previous Wilson’s initially landing run this year — apart from a timeout — was a 3rd-down conversion from Garoppolo to Jauan Jennings. Asked Saturday about most likely busting via the Rams’ defensive entrance, Wilson presciently replied: “If that happens, we have obtained motion ball. You break that very first wave male and we’re all on the lookout to strike our head on the intention put up.”

The 49ers held the early momentum by means of Nick Bosa’s fifth sack this season. Lining up on the right edge of a 5-gentleman rush, Bosa twisted to arrive up the middle. His 2nd sack came on a Stafford scramble.

The Rams’ very first generate chewed up the game’s initially 8 minutes and penetrated the 49ers’ crimson zone. A 2nd-down sack by previous Rams linebacker Ebukam dropped Stafford for a 10-yard reduction. Stafford was 7-of-7 for 52 yards on the opening stanza, with Cooper Kupp catching a few targets for 27 yards.