What to Know
- Immediately after the Week 15 game ends, watch "49ers Postgame Live" on NBC Sports Bay Area or stream the show in the NBC Sports app for full reaction, analysis and interviews.
- The 49ers fell to 6-8 with the 12-6 loss to the Rams. San Francisco is on the brink of being eliminated from NFC playoff contention.
- Brock Purdy struggled in the rain, completing 14 of 30 passes for 142 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
- Star linebacker Dre Greenlaw played in his first game since the Super Bowl in February and he picked up where he left off, recording eight total tackles. He didn't play most of the second half.
- Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo played despite a foot injury and finished with 57 yards on 16 carries.
- Tight end George Kittle caught four passes for 61 yards. Jauan Jennings had two receptions for 31 yards, while Deebo Samuel caught three passes for 16 yards.
Read below for all the game highlights, news, analysis and postgame press conferences from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara:
49ers Talk: SF drops the ball, squanders playoff hopes in disappointing loss to Rams
By Jennifer Lee Chan and Matt Maiocco, 49ers Insider
Greenlaw explains early exit from triumphant 49ers return vs. Rams
SANTA CLARA — Dre Greenlaw made an immediate impact in the first half of the 49ers' 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but it did look like he was dealing with a little discomfort while walking after the game.
At the half, the linebacker led the team with eight total tackles, three solo, in his 2024 NFL season debut after suffering an Achilles injury just 10 months ago in Super Bowl LVIII. Later, in the third quarter, Greenlaw was seen on the sidelines without his helmet on and eventually sat on the bench until the game was over.
“The knee just kind of felt a little weird, so I wanted to protect myself a little bit,” Greenlaw explained after the game. “Knee just didn’t feel right, everything kind of got a little tight. Just kind of had to make sure to use precaution with it.”
Greenlaw added that his repaired Achilles felt fine, but it was the knee on the same surgically repaired leg that was giving him concern. Hopefully the 49ers' long weekend off will give the defender enough time to recuperate before their Week 16 contest in Miami against the Dolphins.
Deebo states his ‘frustrating' dropped pass cost 49ers win vs. Rams
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers suffered a tough 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on "Thursday Night Football," but no one on the team was more frustrated than Deebo Samuel.
After the wide receiver made a flurry of social media posts about wanting to get the ball more, coach Kyle Shanahan delivered a game plan that heavily involved Samuel. But one play in particular, a drop that could have been a touchdown or at least moved the team into the red zone, passed through Samuel’s hands.
“Real, very frustrating,” Samuel said. “At the end of the day, catch that ball, there’s nothing there but end zone. I got to catch that rock.”
The drop led to a 49ers field goal, which were the last points San Francisco would score. Three consecutive field goals by the Rams would lead to a six-point lead and a win.
Where 49ers would pick in 2025 NFL Draft after brutal loss to Rams
With the 49ers' 2024 playoff hopes all but faded, the focus now turns toward San Francisco's 2025 NFL Draft positioning.
San Francisco's 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night at Levi's Stadium originally moved the 49ers to the No. 13 overall pick in the 2025 draft.
Despite not playing on Sunday, San Francisco was again dealt another tough blow as the 49ers dropped even further in the draft order.
After Sunday's slate of games, San Francisco now drops two slots back to the No. 15 overall spot.
Maiocco's 49ers Report Card: Team grades in putrid loss to Rams
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers’ 2024 NFL season blew up Thursday night in spectacular fashion.
San Francisco entered the evening with slim playoff hopes. Those hopes were blown to smithereens with a horrendous offensive performance in a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium.
The 49ers failed to score a touchdown for the first time since a 9-0 victory over Washington in Week 7 of the 2019 season.
“That’s kind of the story of the year, not doing enough to win games,” 49ers linebacker Fred Warner said.
Whitner declares 49ers should cut Campbell for refusing to play
NBC Sports Bay Area analysts Donte Whitner and Rod Brooks didn't hold back on 49ers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell after he refused to play in San Francisco's loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.
"Cut him," Whitner, who played 11 NFL seasons, said on "49ers Postgame Live" after San Francisco's 12-6 loss. "That's my take. Cut him. He hasn't played well all season and then you get a near-All-Pro linebacker back that you know is coming back off injury, you know that they're going to insert him into the starting lineup, you know that you're going to be his backup and then you tell the coaches, I'm not going in the game. I don't want to play today. I would have cut you right there on game day.
"We don't feel sorry for you. You're professional, you haven't done your job and you saw the distinct difference with Dre Greenlaw in the game as to why they played him over Campbell. So, cut him. That's for Kyle Shanahan, that's for the 49ers organization. You cut this guy. There's no way he remains on the team tomorrow."
Campbell, who appeared in all 13 49ers games this season, didn't play Thursday as Greenlaw made his season debut following a lengthy rehab from a torn Achilles.
49ers' De'Vondre Campbell refused to play vs. Rams and left game early, Shanahan says
Kyle Shanahan experienced a first as an NFL head coach in the 49ers' 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday at Levi's Stadium when one of his players declined to take the field.
Linebacker De'Vondre Campbell's role changed with the return of Dre Greenlaw this week, and when the latter exited the game in the third quarter with some soreness in his Achilles and knee, Campbell refused to play when Shanahan asked him to take Greenlaw's place and instead went to the locker room.
"He said he didn’t want to play today," Shanahan told reporters after the game, noting that had never happened to him before with a player. "... He was going to go in when Dre came out."
Greenlaw returned for the must-win Week 15 game 10 months after tearing his Achilles in Super Bowl LVIII. The 49ers signed Campbell to a one-year contract in NFL free agency this offseason to help make up for Greenlaw's absence, and the former All-Pro linebacker was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016 when Shanahan was the team's offensive coordinator.
WATCH LIVE: Kyle Shanahan, 49ers players' postgame press conferences
How 49ers' Week 15 loss to Rams impacts NFC playoff picture
The 49ers essentially can kiss their NFL playoff hopes goodbye after their 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday at Levi's Stadium.
With the rainy defeat, San Francisco fell to 6-8 during the 2024 NFL season, while the Rams improved to 8-6. A costly Deebo Samuel drop and an interception thrown by Brock Purdy ultimately cost the 49ers in a game full of missed opportunities.
San Francisco's playoff probability dropped from 6 to less than 1 percent with the loss, per NFL.com. The Rams, meanwhile, jumped from 35 to 47 percent.
Los Angeles also leapfrogged the Seahawks for the NFC West lead after Seattle's loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Maiocco's observations: 49ers' playoff odds dwindle with loss to Rams
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers’ defense delivered a big performance against the high-powered Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.
But the offense dropped the ball in a 12-6 loss to the Rams at Levi’s Stadium.
And that’s how the 49ers' 2024 season, in effect, ended.
A week earlier, the Rams produced offensive fireworks in a 44-42 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
FINAL: Rams 12, 49ers 6
Rams ice 49ers with their fourth FG, take 12-6 lead for win
By Angelina Martin
Purdy squanders 49ers' scoring opportunity by throwing interception
By Angelina Martin
Rams take 9-6 lead over 49ers with 27-yard field goal
By Angelina Martin
Rams tie game 6-6 with 23-yard field goal in fourth quarter
By Angelina Martin
END OF THIRD QUARTER: 49ers 6, Rams 3
49ers settle for field goal, lead 6-3 after brutal Deebo drop
By Angelina Martin
Greenlaw on fire in return from injury, 2024 season debut
By Angelina Martin
HALFTIME: 49ers, 3, Rams 3
Rams respond with FG drive; game tied 3-3 at halftime
By Jordan Elliott
New Giants shortstop Adames attending 49ers-Rams game
By Angelina Martin
Punt City at Levi's Stadium between 49ers, Rams
By Angelina Martin
END OF FIRST QUARTER: 49ers 3, Rams 0
49ers strike first with 53-yard FG, lead Rams 3-0
By Angelina Martin
How 49ers' starting defense lined up vs. Rams
How 49ers' starting offense lined up vs. Rams
Kittle gives Gonzalez a taste of his own medicine
By Ali Thanawalla
Rain will impact first half of 49ers-Rams
By Ali Thanawalla
Greenlaw ready for first game since Super Bowl
By Ali Thanawalla
49ers, Rams announce their game-day inactives
49ers activate Greenlaw off PUP list for season debut vs. Rams
SANTA CLARA — Linebacker Dre Greenlaw has completed the long journey to get back to the 49ers’ 53-man roster.
The 49ers on Thursday activated Greenlaw off the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list to be available to play Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium.
The 49ers placed offensive lineman Ben Bartch on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain to create the roster spot for Greenlaw.
The 49ers also elevated running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn from the practice squad. He will suit up and serve in a reserve role in the 49ers’ game against the Rams.
Five 49ers to watch as Greenlaw set to return vs. Rams
The 49ers will not be able to win the NFC West on Thursday night, but they can remain alive in the race for another week.
The Los Angeles Rams make their annual trek to Levi's Stadium for a late-season game that finds both teams battling for their postseason lives.
The Rams are coming off a 44-42 shootout victory over the Buffalo Bills, while the 49ers finally put together a good showing in a 38-13 victory over the woeful Chicago Bears.
At 6-7, the 49ers can pull into a tie for second place with the Rams. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks enter their Week 15 game against the Green Bay Packers at a division-leading 8-5.
Report: Guerendo plans to play in 49ers vs. Rams despite injury
Isaac Guerendo played a huge role in the 49ers' blowout win over the Chicago Bears last week, and the rookie running back could have a similar impact Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams.
Guerendo, who is listed as questionable for the prime-time divisional matchup with a foot sprain, plans to play on "Thursday Night Football" at Levi's Stadium, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday morning, citing sources.
The 24-year-old exited Sunday's game with the injury and did not participate in practice Monday or Tuesday. He was limited for Wednesday's walk-through and despite the short turnaround, insists he "feels good," sources told Schefter.
Filling in as RB1 with Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason out, Guerendo rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries while catching two passes for 50 yards against the Bears.
How Lynch sees Stafford being a ‘formidable challenge' in 49ers-Rams
By Joaquin Ruiz
The 49ers are 8-3 in games against Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. However, the 16-year NFL veteran is a proven Super Bowl champion and remains hard to stop for even the best defenses.
49ers president of football operations and general manager John Lynch is weary of Stafford’s talents entering San Francisco’s Week 15 “Thursday Night Football” game against Los Angeles. In the latest episode of NBC Sports Bay Area’s “49ers Game Plan,” Lynch explained to Greg Papa what makes Stafford’s game difficult to stop.
“Pressure in his face -- and that doesn’t do the job all the time with a guy like him,” Lynch told Papa about Stafford. “The toughness, above all else. Everybody talks about the talent and arm angles, but this dude is a tough guy. He can get hit and knocked down, but he just keeps coming.
“You know you have to play four quarters versus a Matthew Stafford-led team. I think the other thing is what I spoke to -- the arm angles, no-look passes; it’s really bold what he does, it blows my mind. He did it in the Super Bowl, looking over here throwing it over the middle of the field.”
Williams out, Bosa questionable for 49ers' Thursday game vs. Rams
The 49ers will be without a pair of starters and one key backup on "Thursday Night Football," with Trent Williams, Ben Bartch, and Malik Mustapha all ruled out for the team's NFC West divisional game vs. the Los Angeles Rams.
Jaylon Moore will continue to hold down the left tackle position as Williams will miss his fourth consecutive game due to an ankle injury. Aaron Banks will resume his place at left guard as Bartch will go on season-ending injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.
The 53-man roster spot opened up by Bartch will be filled by linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who could make his 2024 season debut after sustaining an Achilles injury 10 months ago in Super Bowl LVIII. Greenlaw is listed on the game status report as questionable, which is the normal procedure for a player returning from IR.
Playing next to Greenlaw will be the starting safety pair of Talanoa Hufanga and Ji’Ayir Brown. The Penn State product was pushed back into a No. 3 role as Mustapha was given the start vs. the Chicago Bears. Mustapha has been sidelined during the short week with a chest/shoulder injury. Veteran safety Tashaun Gipson also is in the mix to play should Brown struggle.
Purdy, Shanahan respond to Deebo's social media posts
By Andy Lindquist
Brock Purdy believes Deebo Samuel is a big part of the 49ers’ offense and wants to get him more involved this season.
The San Francisco quarterback addressed Samuel's viral social media posts about not getting the ball enough.
“Deebo and I talk all the time and he’s one of my best friends on the team,” Purdy told reporters on Tuesday. “I absolutely love Deebo and what he’s done for me and helping me out. I think he’s right. He’s doing great right now with what we ask of him in the offense, he’s not struggling or anything.
“There are just moments throughout the season where guys just don’t get the ball. Just depending on the scheme or what the defensive scheme is. So, I want to get Deebo the ball, I want him to break all of the records possible, and I want Deebo to do Deebo things. I love my guy and I’m going to do everything I can to get him the ball.”
How to watch 49ers vs. Rams on Thursday Night Football Week 15
By Sanjesh Singh
On “49ers Talk,” co-hosts Matt Maiocco and Jennifer Lee Chan take a look around the NFC West and preview the remaining schedules for the 49ers’ divisional opponents.
The San Francisco 49ers (6-7) are back under the prime time lights in Week 15.
It's a game with amplified stakes as they will meet the Los Angeles Rams, who are 7-6 coming off a 44-42 home shootout win over the high-flying Buffalo Bills.
In the Week 4 matchup in Los Angeles, San Francisco infamously held a double-digit lead in the second half but watched it unfold as the Rams outscored Kyle Shanahan's side 13-3 in the fourth quarter to win 27-24.
If the 49ers hope to get revenge, the time is now considering how a loss would most likely doom any chance at a playoff push. The 49ers need to catch up to either the 8-5 NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks to grab the divisional playoff spot or the last wild card option, currently occupied by the 8-5 Washington Commanders.
Why Lynch believes Deebo deserves ‘grace' amid ongoing struggles
By Andy Lindquist
John Lynch believes Deebo Samuel is a critical part of the 49ers' offense, even if his on-field performance has been lackluster this season.
San Francisco's general manager explained that Samuel is a victim of his own success as other teams have caught on to his versatile skillset.
“Deebo has created such a high standard, the things he’s done, the innovation we’ve created [with him],” Lynch told KNBR’s “Murph & Markus.” “That’s part of the issue. We created so many unique things for Deebo that now if you watch Green Bay [Packers receiver] Jayden Reed does a lot of those things. DJ Moore for the [Chicago] Bears does a lot of the Deebo packages.
“So I think people are becoming more familiar with it. Deebo is a really good football player. He’s created such a high standard for himself that I think frustration mounts. But he’s made so many plays for us I think we’ve got to give this guy some grace and bring him along because we need him the rest of the way. Deebo is a big part of this team, and we can all learn from these situations.”
49ers overreactions: Can team go on a run after win vs. Bears?
Quarterback Brock Purdy is one of the eight 49ers’ captains.
On Saturday, he shared his perspective in front of the entire team as the 49ers were looking to snap a three-game losing streak, including blowout losses at Green Bay and Buffalo.
“I was just trying to keep it real and remind guys this isn't easy,” Purdy said following the 49ers’ 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears.
“This job isn't for everybody. But who we have in this building, we have what it takes. And we've shown that the last couple years, and we’ve just got to dig deep and find ourselves. And I think we did. I think guys responded to it.”
Whitner believes teams won't want to play Purdy, 49ers in playoffs
By Joaquin Ruiz
The 49ers have slim chances of reaching the 2024 NFL playoffs at 6-7, but their 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday seemingly reinvigorated San Francisco and its Faithful.
Nevertheless, if the 49ers were to go dancing, it would mean the team reached a gear yet to be seen and intimidating to opponents; in essence, San Francisco must repeat its Week 14 performance from here on out.
In the latest episode of “Hitner’s Hot Take,” NBC Sports Bay Area’s Donte Whitner explained why no team would want to face the 49ers in the NFC playoffs -- if they were to earn a spot.
“It was all led by their soon-to-be $60-million quarterback Brock Purdy, who was very efficient,” Whitner said about San Francisco’s win over Chicago. “If Brock Purdy plays the way that he played versus the Chicago Bears, dishing the ball all around -- [Jauan] Jennings, [George] Kittle -- creating explosive plays, the 49ers will be the hottest team to enter the playoffs.
Deebo blames perceived ‘struggles' this season on lack of targets
By Joaquin Ruiz
49ers star wide receiver and captain Deebo Samuel has been vocal about his displeasure regarding opportunities in San Francisco’s offense. And no, he didn’t lay hands on anybody this time.
Despite the 49ers’ 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Samuel took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday to complain about his lack of targets.
Samuel, a six-year NFL veteran, has seen career lows with 5.33 targets and 46.1 receiving yards per game during the 2024 NFL season. He has caught 40 of 64 targets for 533 yards and a touchdown thus far.
Samuel experienced a similar situation during the 49ers’ electric run last year; though, he probably was content because of the team’s 12-5 finish and Super Bowl LVIII appearance. But this season isn’t last season.
49ers injury report: Guerendo foot sprain jeopardizes status vs. Rams
The 49ers might have to reach a little further down their depth chart to find another starting running back.
Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo sustained a foot sprain in the 49ers’ 38-13 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, and his availability to face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night appears to be in question.
“We’ll evaluate him over the next few days to see if he’s got a shot,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday on a conference call with Bay Area reporters.
Guerendo rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries while catching two passes for 50 yards against the Bears.
Kittle still hopes 49ers can ‘sneak' into playoffs with right approach
Until they are mathematically eliminated from NFL playoff contention, the 49ers are keeping the faith.
That much was evident in San Francisco's 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Levi's Stadium, where the 49ers' one-game-at-a-time mentality had them rolling to a Week 14 win. And that mindset, tight end George Kittle believes, could be enough to propel the team to the postseason.
"I mean, we still have everything in front of us to play for," Kittle told reporters after the game. "I know certain things might need to happen, but if we win every single game, I think we've put ourselves in a very good position to either win the division or somehow sneak our way into playoff contention.
"I thought everyone's focused on this one week, ‘Hey everybody lock in.' Forget the whole season whether you've played like crap the entire season, whether you've had missed opportunities, or whether you have a bunch of touchdowns. Whatever it is, flush all that and just focus on this one game."
