Austin Davis threw for a mere 105 yards and two interceptions. The Rams leading rusher, rookie Tre Mason, ran for only 65 yards on 19 carries. The team was held under 200 total yards at the game in San Francisco. To think the Rams won this game would have meant an almost perfect defensive performance, and that’s what the Rams’ defense produced.
The defense had one mistake in the game. Rookie corner Marcus Roberson, starting in place of injured Janoris Jenkins, lost the San Francisco receiver, Anquan Boldin, in man-coverage resulting in a touchdown. Everything else the unit did was right. 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick was sacked seven times by the Rams’ front seven. All-pro defensive end Robert Quinn led the team with two sacks; Michael Brockers, William Hayes, Eugene Sims, James Laurinaitis, and rookie Aaron Donald all added one sack, respectively. The team held the 49er running backs Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde to only 66 combined yards in 16 attempts. The defense also forced two fumbles and recovered both, one coming on their own one-yard line with under a minute to go in the game.
The Rams defensive line led the NFL in sacks last season but got off to a very, very slow start this season. Robert Quinn has come on strong the past two weeks totaling four quarterback sacks. The unit keeping its play at a high level is the key for continued success for the Rams.