Both defenses are playing well in the rain
Jennings came through for the 49ers once again on third down for an 18-yard gain. Ahkello Witherspoon was flagged for holding, but the offense declined the penalty. A deep shot to Kittle looked to be pass interference, but there was no call.
Jennings couldn’t hang on to a third-down pass, and the 48ers were forced to punt again. Pat O’Donnell’s punt pinned the Rams at the three. Naturally, that was when Los Angeles picked up their first first down of the game.
On 3rd & 10, Matthew Stafford scrambled for a first down. A few plays later, the Rams picked up another first down. But Evan Anderson beat his man for a quarterback hit on first down. Yetur Gross-Matos had a sack, and the Rams scoring threat was over.
The rain finally got to the 49ers as Jennings dropped a pass to begin the next drive. The rain was consistent during the first half and was expected to slow down by the third quarter. It looked as if the rain really began to pick up before the half. Purdy was sacked, and the Rams would take over at midfield with just under five minutes to play in the half.
On 4th & 2, the Rams lined up as if they would go for it. But the way the 49ers defensive line had been playing, it would have been a tall task to pick up two yards. The Rams elected to kick a 48-yarder, and it was right down the middle to tie the score at 3.
That was a massive victory for the Niners’ defense to keep the Rams out of the end zone. In the first half, Los Angeles averaged 2.8 yards per play. They couldn’t accomplish anything, and the Niners’ defensive line was in complete control. Greenlaw was making plays, as was Hufanga. It looked like the bully ball defense from yesteryear.
To his credit, Shanahan didn’t sit on the ball before the first half. He was aggressive and threw the ball on every down. The offense punted, but that doesn’t mean it was the incorrect thing to do — especially knowing the Rams received the ball to begin the second half.