San Francisco 49ers: 3 Takeaways vs. Rams in Week 3

The San Francisco 49ers lost a thriller to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3 on Thursday Night Football. Here are our takeaways from a tough loss.

The San Francisco 49ers remain winless after losing a Thursday Night thriller with the Los Angeles Rams 41-39. San Francisco almost completed a remarkable comeback after recovering an onside kick, only to see a third-down completion reversed because of a controversial offensive pass interference call before Aaron Donald sacked Brian Hoyer on fourth down.

While the Niners offense looked markedly better after an early interception from Brian Hoyer, the defense struggled on a short week after a physical game in Seattle.

Here we look at three takeaways from a game of the season contender that will be tough to top.

The 49ers Need Reuben Foster Back

While there has to be concern about the 49ers’ inability to generate pressure against anyone other than the Seattle Seahawks offensive line, the most worrying issue on defense was the play at linebacker.

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There were blown coverages, including a key one on third down that allowed Todd Gurley to move the sticks on a drive that resulted in the Rams’ final touchdown, and missed tackles. And neither NaVorro Bowman nor Ray-Ray Armstrong had the speed to consistently keep up with Gurley and the Rams’ plethora of other offensive weapons.

Simply put, there are plays that only rookie Reuben Foster can make at linebacker and, despite being out of a walking boot, he was still on the sideline on Thursday. Foster’s progress suggests a comeback is not too far away and, with an extended break until the Week 4 clash with the Arizona Cardinals, the Niners would be significantly boosted by the return of a player who is already the best one they have on defense.

San Francisco Can Have a Dangerous Downfield Passing Attack

Hoyer was advised by Shanahan to just sling it after an unimpressive two weeks in which the ball had barely been pushed downfield. His first attempt at doing so ended in a near pick-six on the opening play of the game, but following that Hoyer had great success going deep.

He connected with the magnificent Pierre Garcon, who had seven catches — including an incredible diving effort on the sideline for 18 yards — for 142 yards, on a 59-yard hook-up and with Marquise Goodwin for 50 yards. Hoyer also threw touchdown passes to Garrett Celek and Trent Taylor and, despite their fightback from 41-26 down coming up just short, the 49ers can go into Week 4 knowing they can cause defenses problems down the field.

Mistakes and Injuries Blighting Early Stages of Rebuild

The early stages of Kyle Shanahan’s tenure have been blighted by mistakes and injuries, and that continued against the Rams. Hoyer’s early pick put the 49ers behind the 8-ball as Gurley cashed it in for the first of his three scores, while Raheem Mostert also fumbled and Robbie Gould’s missed extra point proved pivotal.

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San Francisco is not yet good enough to overcome such errors, particularly with injuries quickly decimating the roster. With Malcolm Smith, Foster and Eric Reid already sidelined, the 49ers saw Tank Carradine suffer an ankle injury and Jaquiski Tartt, Brock Coyle and Kyle Juszczyk concussed.

If the 49ers’ continually competitive performances are to be rewarded with wins, they need to cut out the miscues and have better luck on the injury front.