NFL Week 2 Game Recap: San Francisco 49ers 30, Los Angeles Rams 23

The Los Angeles Rams were once again very competitive against an NFC West division rival in the San Francisco 49ers, ultimately falling 30-23 in Week 2. But their offensive line kept quarterback Matthew Stafford upright and cleared lanes for running back Kyren Williams against a ferocious 49ers defensive front.

San Francisco was running wild in the open field for much of the second half, with wide receiver Deebo Samuel making defenders miss or running right over them in a huge performance after Brandon Aiyuk got dinged up in the first half but battled through it.

Offensive spotlight: Deebo Samuel finished with seven receptions, 75 yards and three forced missed tackles on first review. Samuel added four carries for 33 yards with another forced missed tackle, as the league’s best “wide back” was the go-to player to close out the game.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford finished the game 34-of-55 for 307 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, but he played better than the box score indicates, showing mobility he simply didn’t have while dealing with injuries in 2022 and delivering strike after strike to Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell. Stafford was credited with two big-time throws on first review.

Defensive spotlight: Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir had what was effectively the game-sealing interception of Matthew Stafford late in the fourth quarter deep in Rams territory, returning the ball to the Rams' 15-yard line. The 49ers were able to burn the clock and kick a field goal to make it a two-possession game.

Linebacker Fred Warner was everywhere, as is often the case, with a sack to go along with two defensive stops and 11 total tackles. Warner also had a key forced incompletion over the middle late in the game.

Rams linebacker Ernest Jones made a tackle for loss and added three more defensive stops to a league-leading five from Week 1. His eight total stops ranks near the top of the leaderboard through Week 2.

Rookie spotlight: 49ers rookie kicker Jake Moody was 3-of-3 on the day, including a 57-yard bomb.

Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua followed up his 10-catch performance in Week 1 with another remarkable outing, racking up 15 receptions for 147 yards. Nacua’s 25 receptions through two games are the most in NFL history through a player’s first two games, comfortably surpassing the previous high mark of 19, and the former BYU star was the No. 177 overall pick in the fifth round.

Box Score

Passing

Rushing

Receiving