St. Louis Rams finish season on sour note with OT loss to 49ers

In the halftime report, I asked If Todd Gurley could suit up and play the second half. Well let’s just say the Rams needed him throughout the whole game and it showed. The Rams turned the game around right before halftime, yet the 49ers took complete control and took the last game of the regular season. Another typical season for the below .500 St. Louis Rams 

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St. Louis did not score a single point in the second half, as they could not finish and score points. The 49ers began with the ball in the 2nd half of the game, and drove instantly down the field against the Rams. Once again the Rams defense allowed over 300 passing yards, as that was their giving up average the past three games. It would hurt them in the long run. Even with the Rams defense having a top five red-zone defense, San Fran still got points while St. Louis were trying to find some type of solution for their offense.

49ers cut the lead down to three with nine minutes left and would slowly regain their momentum they had in the first half before the costly interception. With the thought of losing the final game of the season, the Rams took their next offensive drive and actually drove down to the 49ers 34 yard line. However a problem all season long has been the Rams touchdown to field goal ratio in the red-zone. On this drive they would get neither as kicker Greg Zuerlien would miss wide right on a 52 yard field goal try.

With the defense still having some fight in them, they were able to make a key stop on the 49ers crucial 4th and 4 play. Only reason why this game was close, was because of the Rams strong defense. Without it, there would have been no overtime needed. With great field possession on their own 40 yard line, the Rams offense already had a head start. St. Louis would convert one first down, and nothing more, another punt. Another key point to tell, is the numbers of Johnny Hekker. Hekker is going to his 2nd pro bowl and without him on special teams, this team would be totally different. Can a punter be the MVP of the team?

The 49ers needed three points to tie this game up, and that is exactly what they did with their third offensive drive of the half. San Fran would put together a 12 play 60 yard drive that would end with Phil Dawson connecting on a 38 yard fumble. Only reason why they ended up kicking the field goal, was partial due to a fumble by Blaine Gabbert on 3rd and 1 on the Rams 8 yard line.

The Rams defense can be one of the elite defenses in the league, yet any defense will get tired if they are on the field way too much. That is what happened near the end of the game. The game would head into overtime as the score now was 16-16. The 49ers would win the toss, but once again the mighty Rams defense along with Aaron Donald would stop them around mid field. They were in field goal range, but giving the Rams good field possession was a gamble.

The Rams probably put together one of their best offensive drives of the game in OT, yet would strike nothing. On this drive it would consists of great passes from Keenum to multiple receivers as the Rams would find themselves on San Fran’s 30 yard line. Field goal team came onto the field as the Rams were actually going to finish the season 8-8. If you are a die-hard Rams fan, you saw this one coming as the field goal kick was blocked and 49ers had all momentum.

With a tired defense, the 49ers would drive down the field filled with missed tackles from the Rams. 23 yard field goal kick from Dawson was good, as the 49ers put the nail in the coffin on the Rams season. Another below .500 season with Jeff Fisher. St. Louis Rams finish the season 7-9 and 2-6 on the road.