It wasn’t a cakewalk compared to last week, but the San Francisco 49ers (2-0) still found a way to get it done against the division rival Los Angeles Rams (1-1) by pulling off a 30-23 road win.

I can tell you, as a lifelong 49ers fan who has spent just as long rooting against the Rams, the one thing I can usually count on is a well-contested game between both clubs; and this one was no different.

Here are my post-game thoughts via YouTube:

Other notes on the game…

– The Rams may have found a gem in this past year’s NFL Draft with wide receiver Puka Nacua, a fifth-round player drafted out of Brigham Young University.

After a nice debut last week against the Seattle Seahawks where the rookie had 119 receiving yards on 10 receptions, Nacua doubled down against the 49ers and recorded 147 yards on 15 catches.

With 25 catches to begin his career, Nacua has set an NFL record for receptions in the first two games.

When Rams injured wide receiver Cooper Kupp returns from IR, the thought of him playing opposite side of Nacua seems scary for opposing defenses.

– 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel added 38 yards rushing with a touchdown on five carries to go along with his 63 yards through the air.

Samuel continues to hurt teams multiple ways; and he makes a habit doing it to the Rams especially.

– Rookie kicker Jake Moody had another solid outing by making all three of his extra points and all three field goals (including a 57-yarder).

The Michigan product is so far getting smoothly acclimated in the NFL; though he did have a kickoff that went out of bounds during the second quarter which gave the Rams the ball at their 40-yard line.

– Dating back to 2019, the 49ers have now defeated the Rams nine straight times in the regular season.

– The Rams ran 78 offensive plays and possessed the football for 33:11 compared to the 49ers 54 offensive plays and 26:49 time of possession; meaning the Niner defense was on the field for a long time.

Not helping matters was the 49ers offense had nine third down opportunities but could only convert on two of those.

Yet despite the defense scrambling throughout the day, the 49ers were able to intercept Stafford twice and slow down the Rams offense in the second half.

– All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner led all 49ers with nine tackles and a sack; while cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir each had eight tackles.

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw finished with seven tackles.

– All three of the 49ers touchdown came on the ground from Samuel (11 yards), running back Christian McCaffrey (14 yards), and quarterback Brock Purdy (1 yard).

Running backs Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason were both active, but neither had a carry.

– The 49ers won’t have very long to enjoy this victory as they will have a short week and have their home opener at Levi’s Stadium this Thursday night against the New York Giants (1-1).

Led by quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, the Giants are coming off an unbelievable 31-28 comeback victory over the Arizona Cardinals (0-2).

Barkley’s status for Week 3, however, is currently unknown as he left Sunday’s game with an apparent ankle injury; an MRI is scheduled for Monday to determine the severity of his injury.

Written by @thizzle75