Game story
In Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season on 2023-09-17, the San Francisco 49ers took care of business against the Los Angeles Rams, pulling away with a 30–23 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 30 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) paced the passing game, with -6.99 total EPA, and -9.8% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, P. Nacua (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.60 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+13.4% win probability) landed in the third quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (1:26) 4-J.Moody 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 7 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 30 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 3 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 23 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 P. Nacua · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +6.60 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 2 B. Purdy · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +4.88 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
- 3 T. Atwell · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +4.03 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
- 4 B. Purdy · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +2.66 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
- 5 B. Aiyuk · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.60 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
- 6 D. Samuel · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +1.95 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
- 7 G. Kittle · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.72 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 8 J. Jennings · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.63 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
P. Nacua — LA · Receiving
P. Nacua posted the highest total EPA (+6.60) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Rams's efficiency. Across 20 counted snaps, they averaged +0.33 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.94 EPA) came from Los Angeles Rams: (4:58) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle intended for 12-V.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 2-D.Lenoir at LA 36. 2-D.Lenoir ran ob at LA 15 for 21 yards (65-C.Shelton).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- San Francisco 49ers — C. McCaffrey
- Los Angeles Rams — K. Williams (M. Stafford pass)
- Los Angeles Rams — K. Williams
- San Francisco 49ers — B. Purdy
- San Francisco 49ers — D. Samuel
Field goals
- Los Angeles Rams — B. Maher
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Moody
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Moody
- Los Angeles Rams — B. Maher
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Moody
- Los Angeles Rams — B. Maher
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–3. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the LA 14 (Q1 53:31) — (8:31) 23-C.McCaffrey right guard for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q1 53:25) — 4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the SF 25 (Q1 47:00) — (2:00) 8-B.Maher 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans..
The second quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 20–10. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the LA 9 (Q2 43:35) — (13:35) 4-J.Moody 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the SF 6 (Q2 39:55) — (9:55) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 23-K.Williams for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 39:49) — 8-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the SF 4 (Q2 31:50) — (1:50) (Shotgun) 23-K.Williams up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the SF 15 (Q2 31:45) — 8-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q2 30:01) — (:01) 13-B.Purdy up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 30:00) — 4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky..
The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 3–0. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the LA 39 (Q3 16:26) — (1:26) 4-J.Moody 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky..
The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 10–6. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the LA 11 (Q4 11:37) — (11:37) 19-D.Samuel left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q4 11:28) — 4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the SF 30 (Q4 7:18) — (7:18) 8-B.Maher 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the LA 8 (Q4 3:02) — (3:02) 4-J.Moody 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the SF 20 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 8-B.Maher 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q3 16:26) — (1:26) 4-J.Moody 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 4:58) — (4:58) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle intended for 12-V.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 2-D.Lenoir at LA 36. 2-D.Lenoir ran ob at LA 15 for 21 yards (65-C.Shelton).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q3 19:17) — (4:17) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 23-K.Williams INTERCEPTED by 26-I.Oliver at SF 25. 26-I.Oliver to SF 28 for 3 yards (23-K.Williams).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 7:33) — (7:33) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete deep left [90-K.Givens]. PENALTY on LA-9-M.Stafford, Intentional Grounding, 11 yards, enforced at SF 19.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q1 45:33) — (:33) 23-C.McCaffrey left end pushed ob at LA 13 for 51 yards (44-A.Witherspoon).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 4:58) — (4:58) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle intended for 12-V.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 2-D.Lenoir at LA 36. 2-D.Lenoir ran ob at LA 15 for 21 yards (65-C.Shelton).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q3 19:17) — (4:17) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 23-K.Williams INTERCEPTED by 26-I.Oliver at SF 25. 26-I.Oliver to SF 28 for 3 yards (23-K.Williams).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q1 45:33) — (:33) 23-C.McCaffrey left end pushed ob at LA 13 for 51 yards (44-A.Witherspoon).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 2:28) — (2:28) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 23-K.Williams left tackle to LA 38 for -1 yards (97-N.Bosa).
Quarterback report card
M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Rams, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) · 60 dropbacks · 56.7% completion · -9.8% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -6.99 total EPA
- B.Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) · 28 dropbacks · 60.7% completion · +1.7% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +4.88 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | San Francisco 49ers | Los Angeles Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.115 | -0.021 |
| Offensive success rate | 45.9% | 47.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.174 | -0.116 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.103 | +0.068 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.021 | -0.115 |
| Defensive success rate | 52.1% | 54.1% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, San Francisco 49ers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.12 vs -0.02), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Los Angeles Rams: 10 drives, -1.99 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- San Francisco 49ers: 10 drives, +8.51 total EPA, 6 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.
- P. Nacua (Los Angeles Rams) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- M. Stafford (LA) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q1 53:31 · LA 14 · Score 6-0
(8:31) 23-C.McCaffrey right guard for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q1 53:25 · LA 15 · Score 7-0
4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q1 47:00 · SF 25 · Score 7-3
(2:00) 8-B.Maher 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 43:35 · LA 9 · Score 10-3
(13:35) 4-J.Moody 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 39:55 · SF 6 · Score 10-9
(9:55) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 23-K.Williams for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 39:49 · SF 15 · Score 10-10
8-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 31:50 · SF 4 · Score 10-16
(1:50) (Shotgun) 23-K.Williams up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+7) — Q2 31:45 · SF 15 · Score 10-17
8-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans. - San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 30:01 · LA 1 · Score 16-17
(:01) 13-B.Purdy up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 30:00 · LA 15 · Score 17-17
4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q3 16:26 · LA 39 · Score 20-17
(1:26) 4-J.Moody 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky. - San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 11:37 · LA 11 · Score 26-17
(11:37) 19-D.Samuel left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 11:28 · LA 15 · Score 27-17
4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q4 7:18 · SF 30 · Score 27-20
(7:18) 8-B.Maher 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 3:02 · LA 8 · Score 30-20
(3:02) 4-J.Moody 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · SF 20 · Score 30-23
(:04) 8-B.Maher 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans.
Frequently asked questions
Who won San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams?
The San Francisco 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams 30-23 in Week 2, 2023 on 2023-09-17.
What was the final score of San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams?
The final score was San Francisco 49ers 30, Los Angeles Rams 23 (SF 30-23 LA) in Week 2, 2023 on 2023-09-17.
What was the score by quarter in San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams?
Q1: San Francisco 49ers 7, Los Angeles Rams 3; Q2: San Francisco 49ers 10, Los Angeles Rams 20; Q3: San Francisco 49ers 3, Los Angeles Rams 0; Q4: San Francisco 49ers 10, Los Angeles Rams 6; Final: San Francisco 49ers 30, Los Angeles Rams 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams?
San Francisco 49ers touchdown — C. McCaffrey (Q1 53:31) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — K. Williams (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 39:55) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — K. Williams (Q2 31:50) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — B. Purdy (Q2 30:01) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — D. Samuel (Q4 11:37) Los Angeles Rams field goal — B. Maher (Q1 47:00, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Moody (Q2 43:35, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Moody (Q3 16:26, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — B. Maher (Q4 7:18, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Moody (Q4 3:02, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — B. Maher (Q4 0:04, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams?
M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams), 56.7% completion, -9.8% CPOE, -0.12 EPA per dropback, -6.99 total passing EPA. B. Purdy (San Francisco 49ers), 60.7% completion, +1.7% CPOE, +0.17 EPA per dropback, +4.88 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams?
P. Nacua (Los Angeles Rams) led the game in total EPA with +6.60 on receiving plays. across 20 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.94 EPA): (4:58) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle intended for 12-V.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 2-D.Lenoir at LA 36. 2-D.Lenoir ran ob at LA 15 for 21 yards (65-C.Shelton).. The biggest win-probability swing was +13.4%.
Was San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. San Francisco 49ers won 30-23 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
San Francisco 49ers
Entered 1-0 Now 2-0 W
Los Angeles Rams
Entered 1-0 Now 1-1 L
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