Christian McCaffrey Helps 49ers Slide Past Rams

Christian McCaffrey (23) of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to a touchdown during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, Calif., at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 17, 2023. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Christian McCaffrey rushed for 116 yards on 20 carries and scored a touchdown to lead the San Francisco 49ers to a 30–23 win against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, September 17, afternoon at Inglewood, Calif.

San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy completed 17 of 25 passes for 206 yards for the 49ers (2–0). He had no interceptions for the second consecutive game.

The San Francisco defense kept the Rams (1–1) out of the end zone and forced two turnovers in the second half.

Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua set a team rookie record by catching 15 passes for 147 yards. He also set an NFL record with 25 receptions through his first two games.

Puka Nacua (17) of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by Drake Jackson (95) of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 17, 2023. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Rams quarterback Matt Stafford completed 34 of 55 passes for 307 yards with a touchdown and two second-half interceptions.

With the score tied at 17–17, a tipped pass landed in the hands of San Francisco cornerback Isaiah Oliver for Stafford’s first interception in his past 164 attempts.

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The 49ers converted the turnover into a 57-yard field goal by Jake Moody for a 20–17 lead with 1:21 left in the third quarter.

Purdy’s 31-yard strike down the sideline to Jauan Jennings led to an 11-yard touchdown run by Deebo Samuel that stretched the lead to 27–17 with 11:28 left in the game.

Brock Purdy (13) of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, Calif. on Sept. 17, 2023. (Harry How/Getty Images)

The Rams scored their first points of the second half on a 48-yard field goal by Brett Maher with 7:13 remaining to cut the lead to 27–20.

The Rams got the ball back with 5:29 left, but Stafford was intercepted by Deommodore Lenoir and he returned the ball to the Rams 15 with 4:48 remaining, setting up a 26-yard field goal by Jake Moody for a 30–20 lead with 2:59 left.

Maher kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired for the 30–23 finale and the 12th straight regular season win by the 49ers over the Rams.

McCaffrey scored on a 14-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the game for a 7–0 lead.

The Rams answered with a 43-yard field goal by Maher to make it 7–3 with 1:54 left in the opening quarter.

McCaffrey’s 51-yard run down the sideline set up a 27-yard field goal from Moody to extend the lead to 10–3 with 13:32 left in the first half.

The Rams evened the score at 10 on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to running back Kyren Williams with 9:49 left in the half.

Kyren Williams (23) of the Los Angeles Rams scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, Calif. on Sept. 17, 2023. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Williams scored again on a 4-yard run with 1:45 to go in the half to give Los Angeles its first lead at 17–10.

Purdy dove across the goal line on a 1-yard run on the final play of the half to tie the score 17–17.