49ers sweep Rams, end losing streak, remain at No. 2 pick in draft

Complete Game Stats

By the time kickoff arrived in Los Angeles, the San Francisco 49ers were in a position to take over the number one spot in the 2017 NFL Draft thanks to the Cleveland Browns finally winning their first game. Moments prior to the 49ers' game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Browns upset the San Diego Chargers in Cleveland to avoid a winless season. A Rams win would have secured the top pick – for at least a week – for the visiting 49ers.

The Browns did their part and the 49ers failed to do theirs as San Francisco won 22-21 over the Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The victory broke a 13-game losing streak and left the 49ers still slated for the second overall pick in the draft. Their previous victory came on September 12 to these same Rams at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. Jeff Fisher was the head coach then and Case Keenum was the quarterback. The Christmas Eve rematch featured John Fassel as the interim head coach and rookie Jared Goff at quarterback.

Early in the first quarter, CB Tramaine Brock picked off Rams rookie QB Jared Goff, who was starting just his sixth career NFL game. The 49ers went up 7-0 early thanks to RB Carlos Hyde hauling in a pass from QB Colin Kaepernick and taking it into the end zone. The Rams answered back quickly with 9-play, 52-yard drive to even the score at a touchdown each thanks to a one-yard run into the opposite end zone by RB Todd Gurley.

Kaepernick's inability to effectively throw outside the numbers continued as an interception thrown to DB Cody Davis set up another Rams touchdown. The 30-yard run for the score by WR Tavon Austin on the very next play was Los Angeles' longest run of the season.

Neither team would score again until the fourth quarter. A fumble by Hyde on a pass play turned the ball over to the Rams, who took advantage and marched 25 yards on 4 plays. Hyde was injured on the play and left the game. The resulting score was from a Goff pass to TE Tyler Higbee for a 2-yard touchdown to put Los Angeles up 21-7. It would end up being the biggest lead of the game.

The next score was by the 49ers as the team mounted a comeback. Kaepernick, on third down and with the offense just 13 yards away from the end zone, ran the football in himself to cut the Rams' lead to a single touchdown.

The 49ers came within one in the final minute of the game. Kaepernick passed to WR Rod Streater for a 10-yard touchdown to make the score 21-20 in favor of Los Angeles. The 49ers, trying to avoid overtime, decided to go for two and the win in regulation. The conversion was successful thanks to a run by Kaepernick and the 49ers went on to win their second game of the season.

Kaepernick finished the game completing 28 of his 38 passes for 257 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Streater led the team receiving with 63 yards on six catches and a touchdown.

For the Rams, Goff was 11 of 24 for 90 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Gurley rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown while TE Lance Kendricks led Los Angeles in receiving with three catches for 36 yards.

The 49ers will close out their regular season on New Year's Day when they host the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. With the victory, the 49ers avoid the worst record in franchise history. No 49ers team has finished a season with less than two wins and it won't happen this year.

Injuries

The biggest injury of the game was to RB Carlos Hyde, who left the game in the fourth quarter after fumbling and turning the ball over. He was escorted to the locker room under his own power and ruled out for the remainder of the game. Following the game, Hyde said that he would have an MRI on Sunday and was hopeful that he could play in the team's finale against the Seahawks next weekend.

LB Gerald Hodges left the game after being shaken up on a play. He was escorted off of the field by medical staff.