San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan walks the sideline while playing against the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
The 49ers lost Sunday in a game that did not impact their playoff standing, as they had already clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC bracket.
Still, they fell to the NFC West rival Rams 21-20 as Los Angeles, quarterbacked by reserve Carson Wentz, made a second-half comeback to beat backup Sam Darnold and the Niners.
Darnold completed 16-of-26 passes with one touchdown, but his fumble on the 49ers’ final offensive snap sealed the one-point loss.
Elijah Mitchell ran for 52 yards on 14 carries, including a 1-yard scoring plunge on the 49ers’ first drive. Darnold also ran the ball in from a single yard away in the second quarter, but the Niners didn’t score after halftime and rookie Jake Moody missed two kicks — a 38-yard field goal attempt and the point-after try following Darnold’s passing score to Ronnie Bell just before halftime.
Two touchdowns by Wentz — an 8-yard pass to Tyler Johnson in the third quarter and a 12-yard rush in the fourth — turned a 13-point Rams deficit into a one-point victory.
Here’s what the 49ers said as they await results from the wild-card round of the playoffs to see who they’ll play in two weeks:
Kyle Shanahan
On Moody’s misses:
It’s never good when you miss them, especially having two like that — an extra point and I think that was his first one inside the 40 maybe all year. But you know, he’s had a hell of a year, he’s done a hell of a job up to this point and had a rough day today.
On whether he’ll bring in a kicker to compete with Moody:
No, he’s been great all year. I know he was rough on those two today, but no, we’re good with Jake.
On Darnold:
I thought Sam did some real good things. Made a number of plays that kept us out there. He did a great job scrambling. He was awesome on his sneaks, the quarterback draw. He moved the chain one other time with his legs, made some big plays.
On preparing for the playoffs:
That’s really what we talked about all week, having that playoff mindset, knowing the level that we have to play at coming in a couple weeks and that’s why it was so important for us to get a lot out of this week.
On Kittle and Greenlaw scratches:
Kittle was having some back spasms, something that was happening in pregame, we shut them down, and Dre had some Achilles tendonitis.
On talking with McVay about the low stakes of game:
When we talked, we both knew what this game was to both of us, but I know we both know we want to win. But first thing is trying to keep our players safe.
On the stakes of this game:
Our goal was to get the No. 1 seed. That was our first and foremost goal. We did, and it was just a little bit weird this last week, but I like how our guys handled it.
On losing to friend Sean McVay:
It’s annoying to lose to everybody. I mean, you don’t like it — it’s a little bit more when it’s your rivals or when it’s someone in your division and it’s always a little bit more when you know people.
On scouting the NFC playoff field:
It’s starting to hit me that I don’t think we can officially find out til maybe Monday because I know there’s a Monday night game, so that’ll be a little bit different. Haven’t gone through that. So we’ll definitely plan for all the possibilities and be halfway in on a bunch and as soon as we get told, then we’ll be 100% in.
Sam Darnold
On the game:
Obviously the result wasn’t what we all wanted, but it was good to get out there, get good quality reps.
On the offense:
We got in a really good rhythm those first couple of drives, you know. That second half, we just couldn’t sustain rhythm or drives. They went on a couple long drives as well, but we got to do something there to get that rhythm back. And then obviously at the end, had a chance and, you know, ball didn’t bounce our way.
On McCaffrey’s rushing title:
With the career that he’s had, at the end of the day, when he’s older, he’s going to remember stuff like that, and that’s just going to be another accolade for him to kind of hang his cap on. But right now, it doesn’t mean anything for him in his present or current state of mind.
On ready to play in the playoffs:
It was good to get out there and if they do need me during the playoff run, I’ll be ready.
On if this game was different from his prior experience as a starter:
I wouldn’t say it was different. You know, just going out there trying to do my job to the best of my ability. I know it’s a cliche but you know, that’s all you really have to focus on out there at quarterback because if you start thinking about other things, you’re probably not going to play that well.
Deommodore Lenoir (in locker room)
On trying to stop Puka Nacua from reaching NFL rookie records for receptions and receiving yards:
We were zeroed in. We didn’t want him to break it. If he did break it we (wanted to) say he had to play all four quarters.
Trent Williams (in locker room)
On what’s next:
Now we focus in and re-commit ourselves to the postseason and try to obtain that ultimate goal. We have to get good work in this week, compete against each other, continue to sharpen our sword.
On possible opponents:
We know who comes with what. That’s about being in the league for as long as I have.
At this point, you would kind of drive yourself crazy trying to think of who you’re going to play next. That shouldn’t be our worry the next (week). We should just worry about running around, making each other better in a couple of practices.
On Sam Darnold’s validity:
He proved that well before this today. I have no issues with Sam. Got full faith in him if he has to step up and we know he can do it.
On McCaffrey winning the rushing title:
Honestly I wouldn’t even say I take pride. I’m just proud of him, seeing the way he applies himself week in, week out, day in, day out. To see the success reciprocate what he puts in, I’m just super proud of him, super happy for him. Heck of a player. He deserves it.
On the 2023 regular season:
Proud of the team. One goal down, to get home-field advantage and the No. 1 seed. We have plenty of goals and we want to get to the main one. No. 1 seed is not where it stops. But we are happy we have that.
Just the whole season, the team has played pretty well. The record reflects that. We hope to continue that into the postseason. That’s when it really matters.
Originally published at Michael Nowels