SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In a match that held little significance for either team, the San Francisco 49ers fell to the Los Angeles Rams 21-20 in their regular-season finale at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday. Both teams had already secured their spots in the playoffs, and with several key players sitting out, the rivalry between the two teams was largely absent. The 49ers, in particular, had little emotional investment in the game, having already clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a bye in the first round of the playoffs. Their main priority was to avoid any major injuries and prepare for the playoffs in two weeks.
Despite the lack of stakes, the 49ers had a specific and symbolic goal in mind. Head coach Kyle Shanahan jokingly but seriously mentioned that they were determined to prevent Rams receiver Puka Nacua from breaking the NFL rookie receiving records for most catches and yards in a season. Nacua needed just four receptions and 29 yards to set new records entering the game. The 49ers closely guarded him in the first half, denying him the opportunity to reach those milestones. However, in the third quarter, Nacua surpassed both records with back-to-back catches.
Shanahan’s motivation for focusing on Nacua was not to suggest that the Rams did something wrong by targeting him, but rather to create some energy for his team in an otherwise unmotivating game. It was also a way for Shanahan to remind his players that even in a seemingly meaningless game, there were still things to play for.
Although the 49ers lost the game and ended their regular season with a 12-5 record, their attention has now shifted fully to the playoffs. With the No. 1 seed secured, they are the heavy favorites to advance through the NFC tournament and contend for the Super Bowl title in February. Shanahan emphasized that their goal was always to secure the top seed and praised the improvement of his players throughout the year.
The 49ers will use the upcoming two weeks to rest and heal from their nine-game winning streak before discovering their playoff opponent. As they prepare for the divisional round, the team remains confident in their Pro Bowl players and their overall readiness. They are determined to make the most of their time off, sharpen their skills in practice, and remain focused on the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl.
The 49ers could potentially face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Green Bay Packers, or the Rams in the divisional round, depending on the outcomes of the wildcard games. While they express confidence in their abilities to face any opponent, the Rams pose a significant challenge with quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive player Aaron Donald, emerging star running back Kyren Williams, and talented receivers like Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
With their sights set on the playoffs, the 49ers are determined to deliver everything necessary to achieve their ultimate goal. After navigating through 16 challenging regular-season games and a final meaningless one, they believe that their best is yet to come.