Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers: 2019 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2019 NFL season on 2019-12-21, the San Francisco 49ers took care of business against the Los Angeles Rams, pulling away with a 34–31 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Goff (Los Angeles Rams) paced the passing game, with +4.73 total EPA, and +1.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Woods (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.61 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-31.2% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Los Angeles Rams changed the game: (:56) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right intended for 34-M.Brown INTERCEPTED by 54-F.Warner at LA 46. 54-F.Warner for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 R. Woods · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +7.61 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Higbee · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +5.17 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Goff · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +4.73 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
4. 4 G. Kittle · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.88 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Cooks · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.64 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Kupp · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.57 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Bourne · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.36 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Samuel · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +2.34 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Los Angeles Rams — B. Cooks (J. Goff pass) (Q1 56:15)
• Los Angeles Rams — T. Gurley (Q2 45:00)
• San Francisco 49ers — D. Samuel (Q2 42:14)
• Los Angeles Rams — T. Gurley (Q2 36:50)
• San Francisco 49ers — R. Mostert (Q2 32:26)
• San Francisco 49ers — F. Warner (Q2 30:56)
• Los Angeles Rams — C. Kupp (J. Goff pass) (Q3 20:12)
• San Francisco 49ers — G. Kittle (J. Garoppolo pass) (Q4 6:14)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — R. Gould (Q1 53:39)
• Los Angeles Rams — G. Zuerlein (Q4 2:36)
• San Francisco 49ers — R. Gould (Q4 0:03)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 7–3. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the SF 10 (Q1 56:15) — (11:15) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 12-B.Cooks for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-N.Bosa]. Caught at SF -8. 0-yac; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q1 56:08) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the LA 8 (Q1 53:39) — (8:39) 9-R.Gould 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky..

The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 21–14. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the SF 5 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 30-T.Gurley right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 44:55) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the LA 19 (Q2 42:14) — (12:14) (Shotgun) 19-D.Samuel left end for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 42:06) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q2 36:50) — (6:50) 30-T.Gurley right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 36:47) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the LA 16 (Q2 32:26) — (2:26) 31-R.Mostert right tackle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 32:21) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the SF 48 (Q2 30:56); San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 30:46) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky..

The third quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the SF 22 (Q3 20:12) — (5:12) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 18-C.Kupp for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 8. 8-yac; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q3 20:06) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..

The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 16–3. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the LA 7 (Q4 6:14) — (6:14) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short right to 85-G.Kittle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at LA -2. 0-yac; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the LA 15 (Q4 6:06) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the SF 34 (Q4 2:36) — (2:36) 4-G.Zuerlein 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the LA 15 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 9-R.Gould 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 30:56) — (:56) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right intended for 34-M.Brown INTERCEPTED by 54-F.Warner at LA 46. 54-F.Warner for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -31.2% · EPA -8.83]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 0:58) — (:58) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass deep middle to 17-E.Sanders to LA 23 for 46 yards (20-J.Ramsey). Caught at LA 28. 5-yac [WPA +21.5% · EPA +2.57]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 9-R.Gould 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky. [WPA +16.8% · EPA +0.20]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 29:56) — (14:56) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short right intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 31-D.Williams (20-J.Ramsey) at SF 25. 31-D.Williams to SF 25 for no gain (60-D.Brunskill). [WPA -14.6% · EPA -4.18]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q3 20:12) — (5:12) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 18-C.Kupp for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 8. 8-yac [WPA +14.4% · EPA +3.50]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 30:56) — (:56) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right intended for 34-M.Brown INTERCEPTED by 54-F.Warner at LA 46. 54-F.Warner for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -31.2% · EPA -8.83]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 49:09) — (4:09) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass deep left intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 20-J.Ramsey at LA 24. 20-J.Ramsey to LA 37 for 13 yards (26-T.Coleman). [WPA -11.3% · EPA -4.78]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 29:56) — (14:56) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short right intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 31-D.Williams (20-J.Ramsey) at SF 25. 31-D.Williams to SF 25 for no gain (60-D.Brunskill). [WPA -14.6% · EPA -4.18]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q1 48:11) — (3:11) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep right to 17-R.Woods pushed ob at SF 36 for 29 yards (36-M.Harris). Caught at SF 40. 4-yac [WPA +12.7% · EPA +3.86]

Quarterback report card

J.Goff led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Rams, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Goff (Los Angeles Rams) · 50 dropbacks · 54.0% completion · +1.4% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +4.73 total EPA
• J.Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers) · 34 dropbacks · 47.1% completion · -5.9% CPOE · -0.19 EPA/play · -6.30 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Los Angeles Rams +0.00, San Francisco 49ers -0.00) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Los Angeles Rams: 13 drives, +0.11 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 14 drives, -0.17 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• San Francisco 49ers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• R. Woods (Los Angeles Rams) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Garoppolo (SF) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q1 56:15 · SF 10 · Score 6-0
   (11:15) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 12-B.Cooks for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-N.Bosa]. Caught at SF -8. 0-yac
2. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q1 56:08 · SF 15 · Score 7-0
   4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
3. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 53:39 · LA 8 · Score 7-3
   (8:39) 9-R.Gould 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
4. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · SF 5 · Score 13-3
   (15:00) 30-T.Gurley right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 44:55 · SF 15 · Score 14-3
   4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
6. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 42:14 · LA 19 · Score 14-9
   (12:14) (Shotgun) 19-D.Samuel left end for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 42:06 · LA 15 · Score 14-10
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
8. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 36:50 · SF 1 · Score 20-10
   (6:50) 30-T.Gurley right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 36:47 · SF 15 · Score 21-10
   4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
10. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 32:26 · LA 16 · Score 21-16
    (2:26) 31-R.Mostert right tackle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 32:21 · LA 15 · Score 21-17
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
12. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 30:56 · SF 48 · Score 21-23
    (:56) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right intended for 34-M.Brown INTERCEPTED by 54-F.Warner at LA 46. 54-F.Warner for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 30:46 · LA 15 · Score 21-24
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
14. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q3 20:12 · SF 22 · Score 27-24
    (5:12) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 18-C.Kupp for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 8. 8-yac
15. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q3 20:06 · SF 15 · Score 28-24
    4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
16. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 6:14 · LA 7 · Score 28-30
    (6:14) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short right to 85-G.Kittle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at LA -2. 0-yac
17. San Francisco 49ers TD (+7) — Q4 6:06 · LA 15 · Score 28-31
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
18. Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q4 2:36 · SF 34 · Score 31-31
    (2:36) 4-G.Zuerlein 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
19. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · LA 15 · Score 31-34
    (:03) 9-R.Gould 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.