No Deebo, No Problem: McCaffrey Hat-Trick Propels 49ers to Comeback Win Over Rams 31-14

Oct 30, 2022, 5:38 PM | Updated: 5:39 pm

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 30: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers catches the ball for a touchdown as Jalen Ramsey #5 and Taylor Rapp #24 of the Los Angeles Rams defend during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

When all hope felt lost, “CMC” offered a new hope for the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers overcame a halftime deficit to beat the Los Angeles Rams, 31-14 Sunday, thanks to their newest offense weapon, running back Christian McCaffrey.

McCaffrey was electric from the start, churning up yards with his legs and hands Sunday afternoon. After his first full week of practice, CMC had the playbook unleashed in his second performance of the season against the Rams.

He threw the team’s first touchdown in the second quarter. Using a little bit of trickery, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw a backwards pass to McCaffrey before launching the ball downfield to a wide open Brandon Aiyuk, walking in for the 34-yard score. 7-7 SF.

It's tricky!@CMC_22 TD pass to @THE2ERA 🏈

📺 #SFvsLAR on FOX pic.twitter.com/9CcXXH3XU7

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 30, 2022

Still, the 49ers trailed at halftime, 14-10, after QB Matthew Stafford found wide reciever Cooper Kupp from 16 yards out to give LA the lead. The Red & Gold countered with a field goal of their own, making the score, 14-13, at the intermission.

Giving up over 180 yards in the first half, the 49ers defense responded to pitch a shutout half. They only allowed 40 total yards in the second half, forcing the Rams to punt four times.

The stout defense allowed the 49ers to put up 21 unanswered points in Inglewood.

Punting on the first drive of the half, the 49ers responded with vigor and poise, marching down the field on an 11-play, 88 yard drive to give the away side the lead. The drive was capped off by a connection between Jimmy G and CMC in the endzone, making a miraculous snag in the air to complete the score from nine yards away.

17-14 49ers, and SoFi Stadium erupts in cheers.

Getting the ball back at the beginning of the fourth quarter, McCaffrey was the catalyst again, breaking loose for a 24-yard run down to the Ram’s one-yard line. The next play, he finished off the drive with feet, bulldozing in for the touchdown.

24-14, the 49ers have their mojo back.

San Francisco marched down the field one more time for good measure, closing out the day with tight end George Kittle leaping into the air for a seven-yard score. 31-14, game over.

CMC was the star of the show Sunday, becoming the first player since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2005 to score a passing, receiving and rushing TD in the same game. Only four players have achieved such a feat since the league merger in 1970.

Mr. Do It All@CMC_22 @49ers pic.twitter.com/9WnkMo0LLL

— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2022

“It feels good to be a 49er,” McCaffrey said after the game Sunday.

CMC had one of his most complete games in LA, taking 26 touches for 139 yards from scrimmage, with two TDs. He also added 34 yards and one TD through the air.

A complete offense player, the Faithful and organization alike are singing the praises of their new star tailback.

“The way he sees the field is so awesome. He makes it so easy for us,” Jimmy Garoppolo said about his new dual-threat teammate.

Garoppolo had one of his best games of the 2022 season, posting 21 completions on 25 attempts for 235 passing yards and two TDs. He finished with a 132.5 passer rating.

Aiyuk lead the pass-catching group Sunday, snagging six balls for 71 yards and a score. Kittle also contributed through the air, finishing with a modest three catches for 39 yards and a TD.

Defensively, linebacker Fred Warner bounced back in a big way, leading the unit with 12 combined tackles, two QB hits, one sack and one pass break-up.

Coming off a miserable showing in Week 7, the 49ers needed a win bad going into the bye week, improving to 4-4 approaching the halfway mark of the regular season.

“Going into the bye week 3-5 makes it a lot more depressing of a bye week,” head coach Kyle Shanahan stated. “I’m very well aware of the record and 4-4 is one game better, but it feels a hell of a lot better than 3-5.”

The team also escaped from Week 8 with no new injuries to report, a first time all season for the Red & Gold.

Heading into the bye on a high note, the 49ers are looking to get back key players on both sides of the ball, including defensive tackle Arik Armstead, LB Dre Greenlaw and fullback Kyle Juszczyk for Week 10.