The 49ers led the Rams 20-7 at halftime in a game between both teams who essentially qualified for the postseason.
The 49ers had long touchdown drives on three of their four first-half possessions, with Elijah Mitchell opening the game with a 1-yard scoring run and Sam Darnold running for a 1-yard touchdown for two points. I decided on my eyes. Ronnie Bell caught a 5-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, making the score 20-7.
Darnold, who started in place of the rested Brock Purdy, played well, completing 14 of 19 for 168 yards and a touchdown.
49ers kicker Jake Moody missed a 38-yard field goal after it hit the right upright. It was the first time in his rookie season that Moody missed a field goal from inside 40 yards. Moody started off with a career 60-for-60 and two makes in the first half Sunday, then missed his first extra point of the season.
The main attraction of this game is Puka Nacua’s attempt to set rookie records for receptions and receiving yards. He already tied Bill Grauman’s record of 1,473 receiving yards, with a 19-yard touchdown reception from Carson Wentz on Los Angeles’ first drive late in the first quarter.
But Nacua is still one yard away from breaking that mark and needs two more receptions to break Jaylen Waddle’s record of 104 catches. The 49ers have good coverage on Nacua and aren’t going to simply give up his record and give him up. The Rams hope to get both records early in the second half so Nacua can rest for the rest of the game.
Wentz went 7-of-12 for 71 yards, including a touchdown and an interception.
