49ers vs Rams: Mac Jones, Kendrick Bourne & a Goal-Line Stop — How San Francisco Stunned LA 26–23 in OT

San Francisco 49ers pulled off a 26–23 overtime thriller vs the Los Angeles Rams — Mac Jones threw for 342 yards, Kendrick Bourne exploded, and the Niners’ defense stopped Kyren Williams on 4th-and-1 to seal the win. Full match report, player stats, tactical analysis, and what Kyle Shanahan must do next. (Keywords: 49ers, Rams, Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers, Niners vs Rams, Kyle Shanahan, Kyren Williams, 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats)

Quick headline (one line)

The short-handed San Francisco 49ers edged the Los Angeles Rams 26–23 in overtime after Mac Jones and Kendrick Bourne led the offense and the Niners’ defense stopped Kyren Williams on a decisive 4th-and-1.

Hook / Lead

If you were looking for drama, the 49ers vs Rams Thursday night gave it in spades: backup quarterback Mac Jones delivered a career-night stepping in for Brock Purdy, Kendrick Bourne put together a career-best receiving day, Christian McCaffrey produced a heavy workload, and San Francisco’s defense made the signature play — a goal-line stand in overtime — to preserve a 26–23 win in Inglewood. This result lifts the Niners to 4-1 and keeps Kyle Shanahan’s team unbeaten in NFC West play.

What happened — the short match summary (score, essentials)

• Final score: San Francisco 49ers 26, Los Angeles Rams 23 (OT).
• Key stat lines: Mac Jones — 342 passing yards, 2 TDs; Kendrick Bourne — 10 catches, 142 yards (career high); Christian McCaffrey — 139 total yards, 1 TD. Rams QB Matthew Stafford threw for 389 yards, 3 TDs; RB Kyren Williams had 131 scrimmage yards and two TD catches but also lost a late fumble.
• Decisive moment: With the Rams facing 4th-and-1 at San Francisco’s 11 in overtime, Kyren Williams was stopped short — the Niners took over and Eddy Piñeiro’s 41-yard field goal made it 26–23.

Those are the headline facts people who searched “49ers Rams”, “49ers vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats” or “Rams Score” care about.

Game timeline & key moments (set-piece chronology)

First quarter

San Francisco struck first on a sustained opening drive — Jake Tonges caught a 6-yard TD from Mac Jones to put the Niners up 7–0. The offense looked efficient early as Jones found targets against a Rams defense trying to sort through coverages.

Second quarter

The Niners methodically increased the lead: a trademark long drive finished by a 1-yard Mac Jones → Christian McCaffrey TD that capped a 17-play, 91-yard sequence and showcased ball-control offense. The Rams answered late in the half with a Matthew Stafford → Kyren Williams touchdown drive, but Eddy Piñeiro added a 37-yard FG as the clock hit zero to make it 17–7 at halftime.

Third quarter

Piñeiro added a short field goal early in the second half to push the lead to 20–7. The Rams rallied: Puka Nacua’s 1-yard TD from Stafford cut the gap to 20–14 heading into the fourth.

Fourth quarter

Momentum flipped repeatedly. Kyren Williams scored on an 8-yard TD catch to tie the game 20–20 — his PAT was blocked. Later, Piñeiro drilled a 59-yard field goal to retake a 23–20 lead with 2:52 left. The Rams responded with a titanic 48-yard Joshua Karty FG as time expired to knot it 23–23, forcing overtime. Williams’ subsequent fumble near the goal line — recovered by the 49ers’ Alfred Collins — proved crushing.

Overtime

San Francisco received the ball and marched into Piñeiro range; his 41-yard field goal gave the Niners the lead. Then the defense made the defining play: a 4th-and-1 stop at the 11 on Kyren Williams’ attempt to run for the conversion. Game over.

Player performances & grades (who rose, who slipped)

San Francisco 49ers — standouts

• Mac Jones (QB) — A-: Stepping in for Brock Purdy, Jones was efficient and clutch: 342 yards, 2 TDs and key third-down conversions on long drives. He orchestrated the 17-play TD drive and managed late-game pressure well.
• Kendrick Bourne (WR) — A: Career day: 10 receptions, 142 yards. Bourne gave Jones a dependable chain-mover and big-play option across the middle and on the sideline.
• Christian McCaffrey (RB) — A-: A bruising and reliable 8-catch, 139-total-yard effort that balanced the offense and kept drives alive. His dual usage in run and pass was central to San Francisco’s ball-control approach.
• Eddy Piñeiro (K) — A: Perfect in clutch spots — including a 59-yard bomb to tie and the OT winner from 41. Special teams handed San Francisco critical points.

Los Angeles Rams — standouts

• Matthew Stafford (QB) — A-: Pitched a massive 389 yards, 3 TDs performance and kept the Rams in the game despite trailing for long stretches.
• Kyren Williams (RB) — B: Strong production (131 scrimmage yards, 2 TD catches) but the late fumble and the shortfall on 4th-and-1 proved pivotal. A mixed bag of big plays and costly miscues.
• Puka Nacua (WR) — B: Made the short TD count and was a reliable chain-move target. Overall a solid line in a high-volume passing game.

Tactical analysis — how the 49ers beat the Rams

Shanahan’s game plan: control and flexibility

Kyle Shanahan crafted a game plan that emphasized ball-control drives, heavy use of Christian McCaffrey as a safety valve, and efficient short-to-intermediate passing from Mac Jones. By draining the clock on long drives (the 17-play masterpiece) San Francisco limited Stafford’s opportunities and forced the Rams to play catch-up. The offensive line and play sequencing allowed the Niners to sustain drives even against a talented Rams front.

Defensive adjustments: make the stop when it matters

San Francisco’s defense — even without some star names — made the plays when the score mattered. The goal-line fumble recovery by Alfred Collins late in regulation and the overtime 4th-and-1 stop illustrated aggressive situational defense and excellent gap discipline. Defensive coordinators dialed up pressure in the right windows and trusted youngsters to make tackles in tight spaces.

Rams’ strengths & where they were vulnerable

Los Angeles lived in a high-volume passing attack and spread the field to create mismatches. Matthew Stafford drove the offense with precision, and Kyren Williams’ receiving skills gave the Rams flexibility. However, turnovers (Williams’ fumble), a blocked PAT, and a failure to convert the critical 4th-and-1 in OT offset those strengths. In short series, small errors are magnified — and the Rams paid for them.

Nothing but respect 🫡 pic.twitter.com/G7DOJfK4Ks

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 3, 2025

Special teams & small margins

Eddy Piñeiro’s leg changed the math: a 59-yard field goal to retake the lead and a 41-yard OT winner. Conversely, the Rams’ blocked PAT after Williams’ 4th-quarter TD ended up mattering when the Rams needed every point. Special teams execution and containment of mistakes tilted the balance in a close win.

What this result means for the NFC West & next steps

• 49ers (4-1, 3-0 NFC West) — The victory gives the Niners momentum and positional advantage in the division despite injuries to stars; it also proves the team’s depth and Shanahan’s coaching adaptability.
• Rams (3-2) — The loss stings but the offense showed it can score in bunches. Sean McVay will look to clean up late-game execution and reduce turnover risk. The Rams remain competitive but must eliminate tiny errors.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

Match player stats (concise box highlights readers search for)

(Selected load-bearing player stats from ESPN / CBS boxscore.)

San Francisco 49ers

• Mac Jones: 26/36, 342 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT.
• Kendrick Bourne: 10 rec, 142 yds.
• Christian McCaffrey: 8 rec, 82 yds; 57 rush yds — 139 total yards, 1 TD.
• Eddy Piñeiro: 4/4 FGs, long 59, including OT winner (41).

Los Angeles Rams

• Matthew Stafford: 389 yards, 3 TDs.
• Kyren Williams: 131 scrimmage yards, 2 TD rec; 1 critical fumble.
• Puka Nacua: TD reception + key catches.

For complete play-by-play and full boxscore, see ESPN’s game page and CBS Sports gametracker.