49ers @ Rams Week 8 Live Blog

Can the shorthanded 49ers find a way to win a game they need?

INGLEWOOD -- This is the live blog for the San Francisco 49ers' Week 8 game against the Los Angeles Rams. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box.

11:15 The 49ers have won seven consecutive regular season games against the Rams, but Deebo Samuel played in all those games. Before the 49ers drafted Samuel, they were 1-3 against Sean McVay in the regular season. No Samuel means Brandon Aiyuk will have to face Jalen Ramsey most of the game -- tough matchup for Aiyuk -- and George Kittle most likely will face double coverage. So Christian McCaffrey will have to score a touchdown or two.

But Samuel's absence isn't the 49ers' biggest issue on offense -- Kyle Shanahan's coaching is the problem. His scheme statistically has fallen off a cliff this season once he has gotten through his 24-play opening script. I suggest he extend the script to 40 plays. Hey, it couldn't hurt.

I still expect the 49ers offense to run the ball effectively and keep the team in the game. The defense actually is a bigger concern. It seems shell shocked after back-to-back poor performances. 

The last time the 49ers faced the Rams, Cooper Kupp had 14 catches, and that was when Emmanuel Moseley was healthy. This time, the 49ers will attempt to cover Kupp with Jimmie Ward, a safety who has a broken hand. Charvarius Ward would be a better matchup against Kupp, but the 49ers haven't put him in the slot yet this season.

Since Moseley went down, the 49ers have started playing extremely soft zone coverage, because DeMeco Ryans doesn't seem to trust his cornerbacks anymore. Earlier this season, Ryans called mostly press man-to-man coverage, which led to coverage sacks and interceptions. Now, the 49ers defense is giving up lots of quick passes and struggling to get off the field on third down.

I expect the 49ers to lose this game 19-16.

12:00 Here are the 49ers' inactives: Jason Verrett, Jauan Jennings, Kyle Juszczyk, Arik Armstead, Kemoko Turay, Dre Greenlaw, Deebo Samuel.

1:23 The 49ers win the toss and defer. The Rams will receive the opening kickoff.

FIRST QUARTER

1:28 On 3rd and 10 from the Rams 29, Matthew Stafford completes a screen pass to Ronnie Rivers, who slips and gets tackled for a two-yard loss. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 27.

1:33 On 3rd and 9 from the Rams 45, Jimmy Garoppolo forces a pass over the middle to George Kittle that gets batted down and almost intercepted by Jalen Ramsey. On the previous play, the Rams broke up a deep throw to Ray-Ray McCloud. After the punt, the Rams take over at their 12.

1:51 On 3rd and goal from the 1, Matthew Stafford rolls right and dives into the end zone for a touchdown. Talanoa Hufanga had him in the backfield but took a bad angle and let Stafford run around him. That was a nine-minute drive.

49ers 0, Rams 7.

SECOND QUARTER

2:02 On 2nd and 8 from the Rams 34, Jimmy Garoppolo throws a backward pass to Christian McCaffrey, who throws a deep touchdown pass to Brandon Aiyuk. Clever trick play to tie the game.

49ers 7, Rams 7.

2:12 On 1st and 10 from the 49ers 15, Oren Burks gives up a touchdown catch to Cooper Kupp. No idea how DeMeco Ryans let the Rams put their best player on a linebacker. That's bad coaching.

49ers 7, Rams 14.

2:34 On 3rd and goal from the 12, Christian McCaffrey drops a pass over the middle. Next play, Robbie Gould makes a 29-yard field goal with 1:00 left. Mike McGlinchey gave up two sacks on that drive. The Rams have one timeout left.

49ers 10, Rams 14.

2:39 The Rams run the ball twice and kill the clock. I guess they feel they have to dink and dunk to move the ball down the field. Weird.

THIRD QUARTER

2:58 On 2nd and 9 from the Rams 49, Garoppolo nearly throws a pick to Jalen Ramsey, but Ramsey drops the ball. Next play, Aaron Donald immediately blows past Spencer Burford, Garoppolo avoids Donald but moves into Greg Gaines for the sack. Then the 49ers punt. The Rams take over at their 10.

3:10 On 3rd and 6 from the Rams 42, the 49ers rush six and get pressure for the first time all game, which forces Stafford to throw the ball away. Kupp caught zero passes during that series. Nice adjustments by Ryans. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 12.

3:20 On 3rd and 3 from the 9, Garoppolo throws a touchdown pass to McCaffrey in the back right corner of the end zone. McCaffrey was wide open in the flat for a while, but Garoppolo was looking at the other side of the field. Then he finally turned to McCaffrey, who turned up field and made a leaping grab.

49ers 17, Rams 14.

3:27 On 3rd and 7 from the Rams 30, Charles Omenihu sacks Stafford for a 9-yard loss, and the Rams go three and out. The Rams are one of the few teams that has scored fewer points in the second half than the 49ers this season. After the punt, the 49ers tkave over at their 42.

FOURTH QUARTER

3:36 On first and 10 from the Rams 25, McCaffrey bursts through the line and gains 24 yards. Next play, he bursts through the line for a touchdown. He's having a outstanding game.

49ers 24, Rams 14.

3:46 On 3rd and 3 from the Rams 28, Tyler Higbee drops a wide open pass that would have been a huge gain. Big break for the 49ers. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 27.

3:53 On 3rd and 3 from the Rams 7, Garoppolo rolls left and hits George Kittle in the end zone for the touchdown. What a beat down. Impressive performance by the 49ers.

49ers 31, Rams 14.

3:48 Nick Bosa sacks Stafford on 2nd down, and the Rams eventually go three and out. The Rams are awful on both sides of the ball -- they're probably the worst team in the division. The NFC West should come down to the 49ers and the Seahawks, and the 49ers are the more talented team.

4:02 McCaffrey runs three times and the 49ers punt. Jeff Wilson Jr. could have taken those carries.

The 49ers win. Stay tuned for their grades.