Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers Box Score on Jan 03, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Jan 3, 2016

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Phil Dawson kicked a 23-yard field goal with 3:27 left in overtime, lifting the San Francisco 49ers to a 19-16 season-ending victory over the St. Louis Rams at Levi's Stadium on Sunday.

Dawson made a winner of coach Jim Tomsula in what was likely his last game with the 49ers. According to multiple reports, he is expected to be fired after this, his first season.

The 49ers won the toss and took the kick in overtime, but they stalled at the 50 and punted. St. Louis marched to the 49ers 30-yard line, but cornerback Dontae Johnson blocked Greg Zuerlein's 48-yard field goal.

San Francisco quickly marched into Rams territory, and on second-and-10 from the 38, Blaine Gabbert hit wide receiver Quinton Patton on a 33-yard pass to the 5.

Dawson came on to kick the game winner.

Gabbert completed 28 of 44 passes for 354 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the 49ers (5-11), who snapped a three-game losing streak.

Running back DuJuan Harris, making his first start as a 49er, rushed for 67 yards on 16 carries and caught eight passes for 86 yards. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin caught five passes for 71 yards and a 33-yard touchdown.

Quarterback Case Keenum completed 22 of 37 passes for 231 yards for the Rams (7-9), whose three-game winning streak ended.

The Rams were without star rookie running back Todd Gurley, who missed the game with a injured foot and finished the season with 1,108 rushing yards. Tre Johnson started in his place, while Benny Cunningham and Malcolm Brown shared the workload.

The Rams built a 16-10 halftime lead, but San Francisco opened the second half with a 12-play, 70-yard scoring drive capped by Dawson's 28-yard field goal. Gabbert's 44-yard deep strike to wide receiver Bruce Ellington gave the 49ers a first down at the Rams' 26.

The 49ers marched to the Rams' 8 late in the fourth quarter and faced third-and-1. But Gabbert's pitch was left of Harris, who fell on the ball for a 12-yard loss. The 49ers settled for Dawson's 38-yard field goal, pulling even at 16-16 with 4:28 left to play.

The 49ers forced a quick punt and drove to the Rams' 37. But facing fourth-and-four, the 49ers passed up a chance for Dawson to try a 54-yard field goal and punted. Dawson kicked a season-long 54-yarder earlier this season against St. Louis and connected twice from 53 yards.

The Rams struck first, taking a 3-0 lead on Zuerlein's 33-yard with 8:11 left in the first quarter, capping a 72-yard drive. Keenum hit wide receiver Kenny Britt on a 54-yard strike to the 49ers' 33, setting up the field goal.

The 49ers countered with Gabbert's 33-yard touchdown pass to Boldin with 14:52 left in the half, giving them a 7-3 lead.

Dawson increased San Francisco's lead to 10-3, kicking a 26-yard field goal with 9:03 remaining in the first half.

Zuerlein cut San Francisco's lead to 10-6, capping a 66-yard drive with a 32-yard field goal with 6:20 left.

Three plays later, Rams defensive end Eugene Sims intercepted a tipped Gabbert pass and returned 42 yards to the 49ers' 3. That set up Mason's 4-yard touchdown run on a run-pass option, putting the Rams ahead 13-10 with 1:31 left in the opening half.

The Rams forced a quick punt, and on second down, Cunningham raced 40 yards to the 49ers' 26. Zuerlein struck again, this time from 44 yards, increasing the Rams' lead to 16-10 with four seconds left in the half.

NOTES: 49ers nickel CB Jimmie Ward made his first career start at strong safety, replacing Jaquiski Tartt (knee), who was inactive. ... 49ers DE Quinton Dial (back strain) was inactive. Rookie Arik Armstead started in his place. ... Rams WR Nick Toon, who was signed off the practice squad earlier in the week, suited up against the 49ers. ... 49ers RB Mike Davis (broken hand) was active Sunday after missing seven games while on injured reserve/designated for return. ... 49ers ILB Ahmad Brooks was benched midway through the second quarter after being flagged for a unnecessary roughness penalty, but he returned in the fourth quarter.