Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The San Francisco 49ers entered Thursday Night Football short-handed and written off as heavy underdogs. They left Los Angeles with a statement win, outlasting the Rams 26-23 in overtime behind a gritty performance from Mac Jones and key contributions from unlikely heroes.
Shanahan’s Motivation Sparks Jones
Hours before kickoff, head coach Kyle Shanahan reminded Jones just how big of an underdog the Niners were.
“Kyle came up to me, and he was pissed about it,” Jones recalled. “He’s like, ‘Dude, I can’t believe they moved us to underdogs again.’ … I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s go kill them.'”
The message hit home. Filling in for injured starter Brock Purdy, Jones delivered one of the best performances of his career, finishing 33-of-49 for 342 yards and two touchdowns while battling through a sprained knee, forearm cramps, and a battered supporting cast.
Underdogs Deliver a Stunner
According to ESPN BET, San Francisco entered as 8.5-point underdogs, their biggest upset victory since 2011. Despite missing Purdy, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, and defensive star Nick Bosa, the Niners jumped out to a 14-0 lead and eventually held off a late Rams push.
The 49ers improved to 4-1 and 3-0 in the NFC West, while the Rams fell to 3-2.
Bourne and McCaffrey Lead the Way
Kendrick Bourne, signed just weeks ago, rebounded from a shaky outing against Jacksonville by setting career highs with 10 receptions for 142 yards. Christian McCaffrey added 22 carries for 57 yards and eight catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk praised Bourne’s impact: “KB has brought so much energy, so much juice to this team … he’s definitely helped spark this team.”
Defense Seals the Game
The 49ers’ defense, leaning on its 2025 draft class, made critical plays late. Rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins forced and recovered a fumble at the goal line with just over a minute left in regulation, denying Kyren Williams a likely game-winning touchdown.
In overtime, safety Marques Sigle and corner Deommodore Lenoir stopped Williams on fourth-and-1 to clinch the win after kicker Eddy Piñeiro’s 41-yard field goal put San Francisco ahead. Piñeiro, who also hit from 59, 37, and 20 yards, accounted for 14 of the 49ers’ points.
Matthew Stafford threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns, but his bid for a 51st career game-winning drive fell short. Puka Nacua hauled in 10 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown, giving him 52 catches on the year—the most in NFL history through five games. Davante Adams added 88 receiving yards.
Despite outgaining San Francisco 456-407, the Rams’ mistakes—including a blocked PAT, a fumble at the goal line, and poor kickoff execution in overtime—proved costly.
Looking Ahead
The Niners now turn their attention to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6, while monitoring Purdy’s recovery from a toe injury. Shanahan called his return “week-to-week,” leaving Jones as the likely starter again.
“He played his ass off,” Shanahan said of Jones. “Going against that defense and throwing the ball that many times without a turnover—I can’t say enough good things about him.”
For now, Jones and a patchwork 49ers roster have proven that even as heavy underdogs, they can still outfight their rivals in primetime.
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