Quick answer
- Winner
- San Francisco 49ers
- Final score
- San Francisco 49ers 17–16 LA
- Halftime
- San Francisco 49ers 3–13 LA at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Buddy Johnson
- Top passer
- M. Bulger
- Biggest EPA play
- (4:48) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass short right intended for 82-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 24-R.…
- Game date
- 2008-12-21
Game summary
The San Francisco 49ers beat the LA 17–16 on 2008-12-21, overcoming LA's 13–3 halftime lead. Buddy Johnson posted a game-high +5.77 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 San Francisco 49ers | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
 LA | 0 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
SFSan Francisco 49ers(2:05) 6-J.Nedney 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
(13:12) 3-J.Brown 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones.
(1:19) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger pass deep right to 14-K.Burton for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones.
(:10) 3-J.Brown 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones.
(11:40) 3-J.Brown 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones.
(4:08) 13-S.Hill pass short left to 88-I.Bruce for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
(1:31) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass deep left to 84-J.Morgan for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
LALAFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q1 2:05FG JNJ. NedneyPoints+3
- Yard line
- LA 30
- Score
- 3-0
(2:05) 6-J.Nedney 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
- LALA
Q2 13:12FG Ji'Ayir BrownPoints+3
- Yard line
- SF 25
- Score
- 3-3
(13:12) 3-J.Brown 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones.
- LALA
Q2 1:19TD KBK. BurtonPoints+6
- Yard line
- SF 30
- Score
- 3-9
(1:19) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger pass deep right to 14-K.Burton for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- LALA
Q2 1:12XP Ji'Ayir BrownPoints+1
- Yard line
- SF 2
- Score
- 3-10
3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones.
- LALA
Q2 0:10FG Ji'Ayir BrownPoints+3
- Yard line
- SF 20
- Score
- 3-13
(:10) 3-J.Brown 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones.
- LALA
Q4 11:40FG Ji'Ayir BrownPoints+3
- Yard line
- SF 4
- Score
- 3-16
(11:40) 3-J.Brown 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q4 4:08TD IBI. BrucePoints+6
- Yard line
- LA 3
- Score
- 9-16
(4:08) 13-S.Hill pass short left to 88-I.Bruce for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q4 4:03XP JNJ. NedneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- LA 2
- Score
- 10-16
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q4 1:31TD Jordan MorganPoints+6
- Yard line
- LA 48
- Score
- 16-16
(1:31) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass deep left to 84-J.Morgan for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q4 1:22XP JNJ. NedneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- LA 2
- Score
- 17-16
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
Buddy Johnson · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.77 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.44 EPA/play - 2D. Avery · LA · Receiving · +5.30 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
- 3I. Bruce · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.20 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
- 4Jordan Morgan · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +4.70 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.35 EPA/play
- 5K. Burton · LA · Receiving · +4.14 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.14 EPA/play
- 6T. Holt · LA · Receiving · +2.98 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
- 7K. Darby · LA · Receiving · +2.05 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
- 8D. Fells · LA · Receiving · +0.68 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Buddy Johnson — SF · Receiving
Buddy Johnson posted the highest total EPA (+5.77) in the game, the strongest overall impact for San Francisco 49ers. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +1.44 EPA per play.
Buddy Johnson's top snap (-5.11 EPA): (4:48) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass short right intended for 82-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 24-R.Bartell at LA 31. 24-R.Bartell to LA 36 for 5 yards (82-B.Johnson).
Quarterback report card
M. Bulger led all passers in efficiency for LA, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M. Bulger (LA) · 44 dropbacks · 43.2% completion · -11.3% CPOE · -0.19 EPA/play · -8.20 total EPA
- S. Hill (San Francisco 49ers) · 41 dropbacks · 43.9% completion · -4.1% CPOE · -0.18 EPA/play · -7.44 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | San Francisco 49ers | LA |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.089 | -0.087 |
| Offensive success rate | 45.8% | 40.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.182 | -0.179 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.341 | -0.042 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.087 | +0.089 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.6% | 54.2% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (San Francisco 49ers -0.09, LA -0.09) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- San Francisco 49ers: -0.09 EPA/play (30th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
- LA: -0.09 EPA/play (30th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
- LA: 13 drives, -9.07 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- San Francisco 49ers: 14 drives, -6.42 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- LA — K. Burton (M. Bulger pass)
- San Francisco 49ers — I. Bruce (S. Hill pass)
- San Francisco 49ers — Jordan Morgan (S. Hill pass)
Field goals
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney
- LA — Ji'Ayir Brown
- LA — Ji'Ayir Brown
- LA — Ji'Ayir Brown
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 3–0. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the LA 30 (Q1 2:05) — (2:05) 6-J.Nedney 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
The second quarter: LA won the period 13–0. LA connected on a field goal from the SF 25 (Q2 13:12) — (13:12) 3-J.Brown 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones.; LA found the end zone from the SF 30 (Q2 1:19) — (1:19) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger pass deep right to 14-K.Burton for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; LA added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 1:12) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones.; LA connected on a field goal from the SF 20 (Q2 0:10) — (:10) 3-J.Brown 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones..
The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 14–3. LA connected on a field goal from the SF 4 (Q4 11:40) — (11:40) 3-J.Brown 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the LA 3 (Q4 4:08) — (4:08) 13-S.Hill pass short left to 88-I.Bruce for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q4 4:03) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the LA 48 (Q4 1:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass deep left to 84-J.Morgan for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q4 1:22) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- LA (Q4 0:22) — (:22) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger pass short right intended for 17-D.Avery INTERCEPTED by 25-T.Brown at SF 38. 25-T.Brown to SF 38 for no gain (17-D.Avery).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass deep left to 84-J.Morgan for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- LA (Q4 0:31) — (:31) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger pass right to 17-D.Avery ran ob at SF 45 for 17 yards (25-T.Brown). Ball tipped by #27 Walt Harris. Play Challenged by Replay Assistant and Upheld.
- LA (Q2 1:19) — (1:19) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger pass deep right to 14-K.Burton for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q2 10:40) — (10:40) 13-S.Hill pass short left to 85-V.Davis to LA 18 for 17 yards (21-O.Atogwe). FUMBLES (21-O.Atogwe), RECOVERED by LA-21-O.Atogwe at LA 18. 21-O.Atogwe to LA 18 for no gain (85-V.Davis).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q3 4:48) — (4:48) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass short right intended for 82-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 24-R.Bartell at LA 31. 24-R.Bartell to LA 36 for 5 yards (82-B.Johnson).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass deep left to 84-J.Morgan for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q2 10:40) — (10:40) 13-S.Hill pass short left to 85-V.Davis to LA 18 for 17 yards (21-O.Atogwe). FUMBLES (21-O.Atogwe), RECOVERED by LA-21-O.Atogwe at LA 18. 21-O.Atogwe to LA 18 for no gain (85-V.Davis).
- LA (Q2 1:19) — (1:19) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger pass deep right to 14-K.Burton for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 2:05 · LA 30 · Score 3-0
(2:05) 6-J.Nedney 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee. - LA FG (+3) — Q2 13:12 · SF 25 · Score 3-3
(13:12) 3-J.Brown 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones. - LA TD (+6) — Q2 1:19 · SF 30 · Score 3-9
(1:19) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger pass deep right to 14-K.Burton for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - LA XP (+1) — Q2 1:12 · SF 2 · Score 3-10
3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones. - LA FG (+3) — Q2 0:10 · SF 20 · Score 3-13
(:10) 3-J.Brown 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones. - LA FG (+3) — Q4 11:40 · SF 4 · Score 3-16
(11:40) 3-J.Brown 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones. - San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 4:08 · LA 3 · Score 9-16
(4:08) 13-S.Hill pass short left to 88-I.Bruce for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 4:03 · LA 2 · Score 10-16
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee. - San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 1:31 · LA 48 · Score 16-16
(1:31) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass deep left to 84-J.Morgan for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 1:22 · LA 2 · Score 17-16
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- San Francisco 49ers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- Buddy Johnson (San Francisco 49ers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- M. Bulger (LA) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
Frequently asked questions
Who won San Francisco 49ers vs LA on 2008-12-21?
The San Francisco 49ers beat the LA 17-16 in Week 16, 2008.
What was the score by quarter in San Francisco 49ers vs LA?
Q1: San Francisco 49ers 3, LA 0; Q2: San Francisco 49ers 0, LA 13; Q4: San Francisco 49ers 14, LA 3; Final: San Francisco 49ers 17, LA 16.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in San Francisco 49ers vs LA?
LA touchdown — K. Burton (M. Bulger pass) (Q2 1:19) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — I. Bruce (S. Hill pass) (Q4 4:08) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — J. Morgan (S. Hill pass) (Q4 1:31) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Nedney (Q1 2:05, 3 pts) LA field goal — J. Brown (Q2 13:12, 3 pts) LA field goal — J. Brown (Q2 0:10, 3 pts) LA field goal — J. Brown (Q4 11:40, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in San Francisco 49ers vs LA?
M. Bulger (LA), 43.2% completion, -11.3% CPOE, -0.19 EPA per dropback, -8.20 total passing EPA. S. Hill (San Francisco 49ers), 43.9% completion, -4.1% CPOE, -0.18 EPA per dropback, -7.44 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in San Francisco 49ers vs LA?
Buddy Johnson (San Francisco 49ers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.77 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 4 snaps. Their top snap (-5.11 EPA): (4:48) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass short right intended for 82-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 24-R.Bartell at LA 31. 24-R.Bartell to LA 36 for 5 yards (82-B.Johnson)..
Was San Francisco 49ers vs LA a close game?
Yes — the margin was 1 points. San Francisco 49ers won 17-16 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
San Francisco 49ers
Entered 5-9 Now 6-9 W
Los Angeles Rams
Entered 2-12 Now 2-13 L
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