The San Francisco 49ers welcomed back a couple of big-time defensive players to the lineup on "Thursday Night Football" in linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive lineman Nick Bosa. For Greenlaw, the 49ers Week 15 matchup versus the Los Angeles Rams marked his 2024 season debut and the completion of a comeback campaign from an Achilles injury he suffered in Super Bowl LVIII. Bosa was coming off a three-game hiatus because of a hip/oblique injury he aggravated in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks. Both were significant contributors to Thursday's defensive battle, however, San Francisco fell just shy to Los Angeles, dropping the game 12-6.
Here are five takeaways from the 49ers-Rams game:
All Defense in the First Quarter
The first quarter of this primetime game was made up of mostly punts - seven between the two teams in the first quarter alone. The 49ers defensive unit was responsible for forcing the Rams into five-straight punts to start the game (three three-and-outs) and did not allow a Los Angeles first down until roughy three minutes into the second quarter. San Francisco had several near interceptions with the help of pressure from the D-line and solid coverage from cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and safety Talanoa Hufanga. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw delivered three total tackles in the first quarter including the first hit of the game.
Special Teams Breakdown
Second-year kicker Jake Moody was responsible for San Francisco's first points of the game and only one of two field goals in the first half by either team. Moody sailed his 53-yard kick straight through the uprights to cap off the 49ers five-play, 39-yard second offensive possession.
Moody was also responsible for putting up the 49ers first points of the third quarter. San Francisco drove down the field 34 yards to the Rams 29-yard line, and Moody took care of the rest, drilling it from 47-yards out.
The Return of Dre Greenlaw
The veteran linebacker's 2024 season debut is in the books, and his return provided a nice boost for the second level of San Francisco defense. He closed out the night tied for second-most tackles on the team (eight) with Hufanga and behind Warner, who tallied 15. Greenlaw appeared minimally in the second half of Thursday night's contest due to some Achilles soreness, per head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Red Zone Defense
One of the Rams best shots at a touchdown was foiled by a full effort from all three levels of the defense late in the third quarter. Los Angeles picked up some offensive momentum and were able to drive the ball down the field to the 49ers eight-yard line on a 17-play drive. On third-and-four, the defensive line flushed Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford out of the pocket and into a throw on the run to tight end Colby Parkinson that was tipped and also defended with sticky coverage by safety Tashaun Gipson Sr.. The defensive unit was able to force the Rams to settle for a field goal and limited their lead to three points. While the 49ers were able to keep the Rams out of the end zone all night, Los Angeles netted two fourth quarter field goals to seal the game.
Injuries of the Game
- LB Dee Winters exited the game late in the first quarter with a neck injury. He was listed as questionable but did return to action just before the start of the second quarter.
- S Ji'Ayir Brown was listed as questionable to return with a groin injury in the third quarter.
- LB Dre Greenlaw experienced Achilles soreness and fatigue in his first game back.
