Man, if you turned off the TV early during the last showdown between these two, you missed a bizarre clinic in efficient football. Honestly, the NFC West is just a different beast this year. When people ask who won the rams 49ers game, they’re usually looking for a score, but the 42-26 result from November 9, 2025, doesn't even tell half the story.
It was a beatdown. A total "Matthew Stafford is still that guy" kind of afternoon at Levi’s Stadium.
The Los Angeles Rams didn't just win; they essentially dismantled a San Francisco 49ers team that looked a little lost without their usual rhythm. Stafford was carving them up like a Thanksgiving turkey, throwing four touchdowns with the kind of precision that makes defensive coordinators retire early. It was his third straight game with at least four touchdowns and zero interceptions—a feat that basically puts him in a league of his own in NFL history books.
Breaking Down the 42-26 Scoreboard
The game started fast. Like, really fast.
The Rams jumped out to a 21-0 lead before some fans had even found their seats. Stafford hit his targets early and often, scoring on the first three possessions. That hasn't happened for LA in about five years. On the other side, the 49ers were trying to make a go of it with Mac Jones under center, and while he threw for 319 yards and three scores, the points just didn't add up when it mattered.
A lot of people forget that the 49ers actually won the first meeting back in Week 5. That was a 26-23 overtime thriller where Eddy Piñeiro hit a 59-yarder just to keep them alive. But this November rematch? Total 180.
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What Went Wrong for San Francisco?
You can't talk about who won the rams 49ers game without looking at the mistakes that sunk the Niners.
- The Fumble: Jauan Jennings lost a ball in Rams territory that killed all momentum.
- Red Zone Failure: Christian McCaffrey—usually a lock for a yard—got stuffed on a critical fourth down by Byron Young.
- The Stafford Factor: You can't give a veteran QB that much time. He finished 24-of-36 for 280 yards.
Kyren Williams was the workhorse for LA, too. He punched in two touchdowns on the ground, and while he only had 73 yards, his efficiency in the red zone was the nail in the coffin.
A Quick Look at the Numbers
If you love a good stat line, this game was a goldmine. Stafford had a passer rating of 127.1. Think about that for a second. That’s nearly perfect. Meanwhile, George Kittle was doing George Kittle things, hauling in 9 catches for 84 yards and a late touchdown, but it was too little, too late.
The 49ers were "depleted," as the local media liked to say. No Brock Purdy meant a different offensive philosophy, and while Mac Jones wasn't terrible, he wasn't Stafford.
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Why This Game Flipped the Division
Before this game, the NFC West was a toss-up. This win moved the Rams to 7-2 and kept them neck-and-neck with the Seahawks. The 49ers dropped to 6-4, forcing them into a wildcard scramble.
It’s weird how one game can shift the entire vibe of a season. The Rams looked like Super Bowl contenders. The Niners looked like they were just trying to keep their heads above water.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're looking at future Rams vs. 49ers games, here is what actually matters based on the November result:
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Watch the Pressure Rate
The Rams won because they didn't let the Niners' front four get home. If the 49ers can't sack the QB, they can't win this rivalry.
Red Zone Efficiency is King
In the 42-26 blowout, the Rams converted nearly every trip. The 49ers sputtered. Look for San Francisco to simplify their goal-line packages next time.
Stafford's Health
The man is 37 and playing like he's 25. The entire Rams season hinges on his elbow and his protection. If he’s clean, the Rams are almost impossible to beat in the air.
Check the injury reports for the next meeting, specifically focusing on the 49ers' secondary, which looked completely gapped in this last outing. If they don't get healthy in the backfield, the result will probably be the same next time they meet.