Mac Jones surprises: Niners beat Rams with historic performance

NFL Surprise: 49ers Defeat Rams with a Stellar Performance

In an unexpected turn of events, the San Francisco 49ers secured a crucial victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, with a final score of 26-23. Despite the adversities and significant absences in their roster, the team demonstrated their resilience and adaptability. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan shared with quarterback Mac Jones the underdog situation they were in, a factor that, far from demotivating, spurred the team to give their best.

“I don’t pay much attention to that,” Jones commented, “Kyle came up to me and was upset. He said, ‘I can’t believe they’re putting us as underdogs again.’ And I said, ‘I don’t know what that means, but we’re going to kill them.’ He was angry. I was too.”

Mac Jones

Shanahan’s motivation seemed to work, as Jones delivered one of the best performances of his career. The 49ers, considered underdogs with an 8.5-point disadvantage, achieved their first victory with such a wide point difference since 2011. This victory not only marks a milestone in the season, but also represents the biggest surprise of the 2025 season so far. San Francisco, with a 4-1 record for the season and 3-0 in the NFC West, overcame the Rams despite the absence of key players such as starting quarterback Brock Purdy, receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, and tight end George Kittle, in addition to defensive end Nick Bosa. At the start of the game, Jones had a group of receivers and tight ends who, combined, had not achieved any receptions for the 49ers in 2024. Despite this, Jones remained steadfast. Despite a left knee injury and forearm cramps, Jones completed 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions, achieving an efficiency rating of 100.9.

“He played like a champion,” Shanahan said. “He was incredible in the first half. He had some struggles in the second half, but he fought and protected the ball. Against that defense, to throw the ball that many times and not have turnovers and protect it like he did, I can’t say enough good things about Mac.”

Kyle Shanahan

With a few extra days of rest before their trip to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers in Week 6, the 49ers still don’t know how much longer they’ll need Jones as a starter. Purdy was ruled out on Wednesday, and although his toe injury seems better than at first, Shanahan hasn’t given a definitive date for his return. “Everything we told you last week is true,” Shanahan explained. “It just got worse and it’s week to week. We don’t know how it’s going to heal, and we hope it gets better tomorrow and we’ll continue throughout the week.”

Niners quarterback Mac Jones completed 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the win over the Rams. Jones and the 49ers’ receiving group started the game with two touchdown drives, connecting with Tonges and running back Christian McCaffrey to give San Francisco a 14-0 lead. Jones had an accurate performance, with only two passes deflected out of his 49 attempts, a 4% percentage which is his lowest deflected pass percentage in a starting role since Week 12 of 2022. Bourne, who was signed by the team before Week 2 against New Orleans, had a couple of mistakes, but redeemed himself by setting personal records with 10 receptions for 142 yards, including eight receptions for first downs.

“KB has brought so much energy, so much enthusiasm to this team and we love and appreciate him so much,” fullback Kyle Juszczyk commented. “Those who have played with him before knew it, but I think everyone who hasn’t has seen it immediately. He’s definitely helped ignite this team.”

Kyle Juszczyk

The young players from the 2025 draft class also played a significant role in this victory. Second-round defensive tackle Alfred Collins forced and recovered a fumble, and rookie safety Marques Sigle made the final tackle on Rams running back Kyren Williams.

“General manager John Lynch will probably be celebrating on that plane tonight,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “Our young guys are really stepping up and playing big for us. I mean, all these games so far… And they’re just getting started.”

Fred Warner