The San Francisco 49ers, battered and undermanned, pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the NFL season with a gritty 26-23 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. What looked like a golden opportunity for Sean McVay’s Rams to grab a key divisional win instead turned into a collapse filled with miscues, missed chances, and a haunting turnover that left Rams fans stunned.

A Depleted 49ers Squad

Heading into the game, San Francisco’s roster was decimated. Quarterback Brock Purdy, All-Pro tight end George Kittle, defensive star Nick Bosa, wideout Brandon Aiyuk, and receiver Jauan Jennings were all unavailable. The attrition should have made the Niners easy prey for Los Angeles, who entered as 8.5-point favorites at SoFi Stadium.

Instead, Kyle Shanahan’s team displayed resilience, grit, and a surprising efficiency under backup quarterback Mac Jones. For a fan base accustomed to seeing their team lean on Purdy’s poise and playmaking, Sunday was a reminder of how dangerous Shanahan’s system can be even when stripped of its stars.

A Wild Start and Swinging Momentum

The 49ers jumped out to a 14-0 lead and later extended their advantage to 20-7. But the Rams clawed back, tying the game at 20 apiece after halftime. Key moments shifted momentum back and forth: a blocked extra point by the Rams, a missed field goal attempt, and a critical fumble by running back Kyren Williams on the 49ers’ three-yard line with just over a minute left in regulation.

That fumble was the defining moment of the night. With a chance to punch in a go-ahead score and bury San Francisco, Williams lost the football. The Niners recovered, their sideline erupted, and Shanahan’s battered squad somehow dragged the contest into overtime.

McVay’s Fateful Call in Overtime

Overtime provided its own drama. San Francisco struck first with a 41-yard field goal by kicker Eddy Piñeiro to go up 23-20. The Rams responded with a steady drive, setting up a pivotal fourth-and-one from the 11-yard line. Trailing by three with just over three minutes remaining, McVay elected to go for it rather than kick the tying field goal.

The decision, according to analytics, wasn’t reckless. The numbers suggested a 49% win probability by going for it compared to 39% if kicking. But football isn’t math — and execution matters. The 49ers defense, led by a mix of backups and unheralded contributors, stuffed the attempt, sealing the upset.

Afterward, McVay admitted regret: “It was a poor decision by me right there. We had plenty of chances throughout this game, and I put our group in a tough spot. These are the tough beats you’ve got to learn from.”

Jones Shines in Unexpected Spotlight

The unsung hero of the night was Mac Jones. Once a promising rookie with New England before spiraling into inconsistency, Jones looked reborn in Shanahan’s scheme. He completed 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns, playing with poise under relentless pressure.

Jones was efficient, not flashy. The 49ers’ drives were methodical — 17 plays, 12 plays, 8 plays — often chewing clock and wearing down the Rams’ defense. The offense had just one explosive play, a 35-yard catch-and-run to Kendrick Bourne, but repeatedly found ways to move the chains.

It was “death by a thousand paper cuts,” as one analyst put it. The Rams’ defense couldn’t adjust, and Jones kept absorbing hits while delivering accurate short throws.

Bourne’s Redemption

Wideout Kendrick Bourne, criticized earlier in the week for drops, delivered a career night with 10 receptions. His chemistry with Jones gave San Francisco a steady outlet and prevented Los Angeles from blitzing freely.

Shanahan’s play-calling maximized Bourne’s quickness in space, while also scheming Jones into high-percentage throws. For a night, the 49ers proved they could function without their Pro Bowl regulars.

Rams Collapse at Home

The Rams, meanwhile, were their own worst enemy. Missed kicks, a blocked PAT, turnovers at the goal line, and critical red zone failures doomed their effort. In total, Los Angeles squandered at least three scoring chances inside San Francisco’s 10-yard line.

Adding insult, SoFi Stadium once again felt more like a Niners’ home field. Red-clad fans packed the stands, forcing Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford to use a silent count at times.

This was supposed to be the Rams’ statement win — instead, it exposed cracks in their execution, discipline, and late-game decision-making.

A Loss With Consequences

For McVay, the defeat may linger. His overall record against Shanahan now sits at 7-11, further fueling the narrative that Shanahan “owns” him in head-to-head matchups. The Rams not only surrendered a divisional opportunity but did so against a depleted rival who will eventually get healthier.

The 49ers, despite their injuries, now sit at 5-1 and have the easiest remaining schedule in the NFL. If they return to full strength, this upset could end up being the pivotal moment that tilts the NFC West race.

Quarterback Controversy Brewing?

Inevitably, the question arises: did Jones’ performance create a quarterback controversy in San Francisco? The short answer is no. Brock Purdy remains entrenched as the starter when healthy, having led the team to a Super Bowl and NFC title game in consecutive years.

But Jones proved himself as more than a stopgap. He is arguably the best backup in the league and a tailor-made fit for Shanahan’s precision-based scheme. If nothing else, Sunday’s performance bought the 49ers confidence that their season won’t derail if injuries continue to strike.

Looking Ahead

For the Rams, this loss cuts deep. They had the game in hand multiple times and let it slip. The miscues — particularly Williams’ fumble and the failed fourth-and-one — will haunt them. With a brutal schedule looming, Los Angeles may regret not capitalizing on an injury-riddled rival.

For the 49ers, it was a testament to their culture. Shanahan’s system, their defensive grit, and Jones’ resilience gave them a win that no one expected. Even undermanned, San Francisco reminded the league why they remain one of the NFL’s most dangerous teams.