Monday’s late game at San Francisco is the Rams’ first regular-season contest since leaving its 21-season stay in the Gateway to the West for, well, the West.
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The first quarter wrapped up with the game tied 0-0, and the first points came on a Benny Cunningham 1-yard touchdown run for the Rams in the second quarter.
San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) celebrates next to offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) after running for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Cl.
Shaun Draughn also ran for a score and Blaine Gabbert threw a touchdown pass to Vance McDonald to help the 49ers win their first game under coach Chip Kelly in convincing fashion. Gabbert threw for 17 yards and ran for 16 on the drive. That will hold up at least until the Rams play Seattle in their home opener Sunday at the Coliseum. This time the 49ers marched 59 yards in nine plays in just 2:44.
49ers RG Andrew Tiller started in place of Anthony Davis, who reportedly had contemplated retiring for a second time and was listed on the injury report as questionable (not injury related).
But thanks to a 28-yard punt return by Tavon Austin, the Rams actually got the ball into 49ers territory but did not come away with any points after former Rams linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong intercepted Case Keenum’s pass to tight end Lance Kendricks.
The Rams, trailing 14-0 in the third quarter, had a chance to get back in the game with the ball at the San Francisco 26.
The two busiest players Monday night were punters Bradley Pinion and Johnny Hekker, who combined for 17 punts on the night while the Rams mustered just 185 yards of total offense and 10 first downs.
Rams rookie QB Jared Goff, the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, was inactive.
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As the 49ers once again got down to the goal line with the struggles of the Rams on both sides of the ball, Draughn made a nifty move to get outside. As for Jeff Fisher, he couldn’t have asked for a worse start.
