Fred Warner used a strong word to describe the Rams’ performance in Melbourne.
“It felt like we got stronger as the game progressed,” Warner stated after the 49ers defeated the Rams 27-7. “The opposing team seemed to kind of wither away.”
During the first quarter, Los Angeles appeared to make that claim credible. They led 7-3 going into the second quarter, momentarily resembling the championship contenders they were thought to be.
But then things started to unravel for them, slowly at first, spiraling after halftime.
A touchdown catch by Demarcus Robinson put San Francisco ahead 10-7 at halftime. The most telling moment occurred in the third quarter when the Rams almost scored but were stopped four times at the goal line.
On fourth down, Matthew Stafford attempted to push through himself but was met by Warner, who made sure he didn’t get anywhere.
Los Angeles wouldn’t score again after that.
San Francisco dominated the second half, outscoring the Rams 17-0 and giving Los Angeles their first double-digit loss since 2024. Additionally, the Rams’ seven points marked the lowest score in any game started by Stafford.
The dip in performance was particularly stark on third downs, where the Rams converted just 2 of 9 attempts. San Francisco consistently used motion and trick plays to exploit the Rams’ defense before targeting weaknesses in their secondary.
The offense also declined as the game went on. While the Rams were down by eight points, they averaged a slight positive in expected points added per play. But once the deficit grew to 17, that number dropped significantly during their final plays.
This slump didn’t just stem from neglecting the run game; Los Angeles still handed the ball off a handful of times in that phase, yet their rushing average dropped dramatically as the game progressed, and passing plays failed to provide relief.
Warner, back after a significant ankle injury that sidelined him for 11 months, highlighted the difference in performance. He made 11 tackles, helped stop the Rams at the goal line, and forced a fumble in the fourth quarter as the 49ers surged ahead.
This brought attention to how differently the two teams approached their travel. San Francisco spent a week adjusting in Melbourne, while the Rams arrived just about 28 hours before the game, a strategy aimed at preserving their internal clocks.
Warner acknowledged the benefits of the 49ers’ approach, whereas Sean McVay wouldn’t hold his own plan responsible for the loss, taking accountability for the team’s poor showing instead.
Jet lag doesn’t show up in the stats, but the decline Warner referenced definitely can be seen in the score. The Rams’ resistance faded with each quarter until “withered away” was more than just a taunt; it became an accurate description of their performance.
