Last year’s NFC Championship game featured two of the league’s most talented defenses: NFC West powerhouses Los Angeles and San Francisco.
In a game billed as a clash of California titans, it was the Rams who came out on top. Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. combined for over 250 receiving yards, helping Sean McVay’s side overcome a 10-point deficit to book their ticket to the Super Bowl. The rest was history.
Nine months later and not much has changed between the two teams. Beckham isn’t on Los Angeles’ roster anymore, of course.
But with Kupp, Aaron Donald, Matthew Stafford and Jalen Ramsey, among others, the Rams look poised to push for yet another title berth.
The Niners, meanwhile, have found a way to maintain stability in an offseason that once seemed so hectic. They inked Deebo Samuel to a new deal, kept Jimmy Garoppolo amid constant trade murmurs, which led to a restructure of his contract and fortified a defensive unit that established itself as one of the best in the NFL in 2022.
San Fran’s commitment continuity hasn’t quite paid off yet; the 49ers enter Monday’s game 1-2, scoring just 10 points in Week 1 and 3. But, a matchup against their NFC West rivals could be just what they needed to awaken out of their early-season torpidity.
Tonight’s ‘Monday Night Football’ clash promises to be a bruising affair, if anything else. Given the physicality that flows across both teams rosters, that’s not a real surprise.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from Rams vs. 49ers. Follow below for the results as they happen on Monday night.
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Rams vs. 49ers score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 3 | 3 | x | x | x |
| 49ers | 7 | 7 | x | x | x |
Rams vs. 49ers live updates, highlights from ‘Sunday Night Football’
(All times Eastern)
Second quarter
9:18 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! What a play by Deebo Samuel! He stretches to grab an errant Garoppolo throw, dekes past a defender, takes it down the right sideline and runs over Jalen Ramsey on his way to pay dirt. 57 yards to the house in the blink of an eye.
49ers 14, Rams 6
9:15 p.m.: Jimmy G making plays with his legs, who would’ve thought? Garoppolo scrambles for five, moving the chains on third down.
9:10 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! San Fran’s defense holds inside the red zone. All the 49ers can muster is another three points from Gay.
49ers 7, Rams 6
9:06 p.m.: Another snag for tight end Tyler Higbee, his fifth of the game. Rams getting into a bit of a groove on offense; they’re just outside the red zone.
9:05 p.m.: Kevin Givens whistled for an encroachment call that gives the Rams an automatic first down. Not what you want to see from the nose tackle if you’re a SF fan.
9:01 p.m.: Jimmy G just misses a pair of throws to open receivers Warner and Jennings as the Niners’ drive flames out. The ball is headed back to L.A.
8:57 p.m: Deommodore Lenoir locks down Kupp on third down, forcing Stafford into an errant throw into the sidelines. Wonderful bit of play by the 22-year old, who has really started to come into his own this year.
Another punt looming for L.A.
8:52 p.m.: Jennings with a vital drop on third down to end San Fran’s threat. Looks the ball is headed back to L.A.
8:50 p.m.: Garoppolo and the Niners doing a good job early of cutting through Los Angeles’ coverage. Another first down, this time via an Aiyuk catch and dash on the screen play.
End of first quarter – 49ers 7, Rams 3
8:46 p.m.: Garoppolo starts drive two with another smooth feed to Samuel, who gets past the first down marker.
Jimmy G and Deebo linking up well early.
8:42 p.m.: SACK! Nick Bosa does what Nick Bosa does, slamming Stafford into the ground for the sack. That’s his fifth sack of the year and it forces L.A. to punt the ball away. Boom.
8:37 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Jeff Wilson finds a lane behind tight end Charlie Warner and takes it into the house to give San Fran the lead. Perfect start.
49ers 7, Rams 3
8:31 p.m.: Jauan Jennings uses Deebo Samuel’s gravity to grab the first down. With the Rams keying in on Samuel in their coverage, Jennings finds some space and gets to the first down marker.
8:29 p.m.: Jimmy Garoppolo starts the 49ers first offensive series with a nice throw to Brandon Aiyuk for the first down.
8:25 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Ebukam’s sack was the difference, forcing the Rams into a field goal. Matt Gay splits the uprights from 39 yards out to give Los Angeles the lead.
Rams 3, 49ers 0
8:23 p.m.: SACK! Samson Ebukam with a huge sack on second down to hasten the Rams’ progress. That will do wonders for San Fran.
8:19 p.m.: Another Kupp grab, another first down for Los Angeles. Have the feeling this could be a trend tonight.
8:18 p.m.: Cooper Kupp getting a healthy diet of targets early. Already has snagged two catches for first downs on this drive. Rams just past midfield.
8:16 p.m.: The ball is kicked off and the game is off and running! Matthew Stafford leading the Rams on the field.
8:05 p.m.: Jerry Rice is in the house! That’s got to give the Niners wideouts some extra motivation to perform.
.@JerryRice in the house to support the Niners 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/KSKBjSr9wU
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 3, 2022
Rams vs. 49ers start time
- Date: Monday, Oct. 3
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Rams vs. 49ers will kick off at 8:15 p.m. from Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, California.
What channel is Rams vs. 49ers on tonight?
Monday’s game will be broadcast on ESPN. Joe Buck will handle play-by-play duties, while Troy Aikman will feature as the game’s color commentator. Lisa Salters will provide occasional updates from the sideline.
Cord-cutters can find Monday’s game on ESPN+, as well as fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
Canadian viewers can watch Monday’s game on DAZN with a subscription.
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