SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers suffered a 21-20 loss against the Los Angeles Rams on the final Sunday of the 2023 regular season at Levi’s Stadium, ending their 12-game winning streak against NFC West opponents. This defeat also broke their nine-game regular-season winning streak against their southern neighbors. Despite the Rams’ uncertain playoff situation, head coach Sean McVay chose to rest some of his key players, regardless of their postseason seeding. On the other hand, due to injuries and roster limitations, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan decided to have many of his starters play before bringing in the backups.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, the 49ers aimed to position themselves for success in two weeks. Shanahan wanted to remove the majority of the team’s nine Pro Bowl players from the game as soon as possible. Both teams adopted basic game plans to avoid revealing too much, considering the possibility of facing each other again in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. However, one concern arose during the game regarding rookie kicker Jake Moody, who missed a 38-yard field-goal attempt and an extra point after converting 60 consecutive PATs this season.
In terms of injuries, defensive end Clelin Ferrell sustained a knee injury during the opening drive, leaving his availability for the postseason uncertain. Quarterback Sam Darnold made his first start for the 49ers, completing 16 of 26 pass attempts for 189 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He also rushed for another touchdown. Darnold performed well in his extended playing time, having signed with the team in March as a backup option. His performance ultimately led to the trade of Trey Lance, the former No. 3 overall draft pick, to the Dallas Cowboys.
First-year safety Tayler Hawkins made his NFL debut for the 49ers and secured his first career interception during the game. Hawkins was called up from the practice squad due to injuries to starting safeties Tashaun Gipson and Ji’Ayir Brown. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks had praised Hawkins during training camp, but he spent a significant portion of the season on injured reserve. Additionally, rookie defensive end Robert Beal had an impressive outing, obtaining his first career sack after limited playing time throughout the season.
Despite their loss, the 49ers head into the postseason with concerns about their rookie kicker and injury uncertainties surrounding key players. The team’s focus now shifts to preparing for their upcoming playoff games in hopes of advancing towards their goal of the Super Bowl.
The San Francisco 49ers concluded the 2023 regular season with a 12-5 record, ending their 12-game winning streak against NFC West opponents and their nine-game regular-season winning streak against division rivals. The team’s playoff prospects remain strong, but they will need to address issues such as their kicker’s performance and the status of injured players. As they begin their postseason journey, the 49ers will aim to regain their winning momentum and challenge for the ultimate prize.