The 49ers (3-4) host the Los Angeles Rams (5-2) at Candlestick Park on Sun October 27, 1985.
Joe Montana continues after the Detroit loss. Roger Craig and Wendell Tyler share the backfield. The Rams start Dieter Brock at quarterback with Eric Dickerson at running back.
The Rams lead the NFC West at 5-2. Dickerson is pushing toward another 1,000-yard season. The 49ers need to close the division gap.[1][2][3]
Dickerson returned 2,105 yards in 1984 and starts 1985 as the NFC's premier back again. Dieter Brock is the Rams' new quarterback after Vince Ferragamo's departure — a Canadian Football League import managing a strong surrounding cast. The 49ers need this game to stay alive in the West.
Montana had only 100 yards last Sunday. The Candlestick home crowd needs a performance. The Rams at 5-2 have the division lead and the urgency is the 49ers' — lose here and the playoff path narrows severely.
Week eight is the late October divisional home game. The Rams (5-2) lead the NFC West with the 49ers (3-4) two games back. The Bears (8-0) remain the NFC's undefeated power. The AFC's Dolphins (7-1) and Raiders (6-1) are the conference leaders. The 49ers' Sunday home game against the Rams is the week's NFC West headline and a must-win for the defending champions.
Through seven games the 49ers are 3-4 with a plus 19 differential. The Rams are 5-2 with a plus 47. Brock is 97 of 171, 1,271 yards, seven touchdowns, five interceptions. Dickerson has 142 carries for 662 yards. Montana is 141 of 237, 1,561 yards, ten touchdowns, six interceptions on the year. Craig has 152 carries for 636 yards through seven games.
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 4-3 | L1 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3-4 | W1 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2-5 | L1 |
| Houston Oilers | 2-5 | W1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 5-2 | W1 |
| New York Jets | 5-2 | L1 |
| New England Patriots | 4-3 | W2 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2-5 | L2 |
| Buffalo Bills | 1-6 | W1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 5-2 | W3 |
| Los Angeles Raiders | 5-2 | W4 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 4-3 | L1 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 3-4 | L3 |
| San Diego Chargers | 3-4 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 7-0 | W7 |
| New Orleans Saints | 3-4 | L2 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 3-4 | L2 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 1-6 | W1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 7-0 | W7 |
| Detroit Lions | 4-3 | W1 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 4-3 | W1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 3-4 | L1 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0-7 | L7 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 5-2 | L1 |
| New York Giants | 4-3 | W1 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 3-4 | W2 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 3-4 | L3 |
| Washington Redskins | 3-4 | L1 |
Reveal each quarter as you watch, the next quarter stays hidden until you tap it.
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Roger Craig 14 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 7-0 |
| 49ers | Wendell Tyler 9 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 14-0 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Dwight Clark 8 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 21-0 |
| 49ers | Roger Craig 35 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 28-0 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rams | Henry Ellard 23 yard pass from Dieter Brock (Mike Lansford kick) | 28-7 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rams | Tony Hunter 3 yard pass from Dieter Brock (Mike Lansford kick) | 28-14 |
Joe Montana threw three touchdown passes and the 49ers held Eric Dickerson to 73 yards on 20 carries in a 28-14 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Candlestick Park. Montana finished 23 of 36 for 303 yards with no interceptions. Roger Craig rushed for 92 yards and a score. The 49ers moved to 4-4 and cut the division gap to one game.[1][2][3]
Montana bounced back from the Detroit game with a 303-yard, three-touchdown, zero-interception performance in the 28-14 divisional win. The defense held Dickerson to 3.7 yards per carry — the Rams' ground game never threatened the 49ers' defensive structure.
Craig added 92 yards and a rushing score to supplement Montana's passing. The Candlestick crowd provided the energy the team needed after three losses in four games. The 49ers' offense scored on four of its first five possessions.
Brock went 19 of 32 for 218 yards and no touchdowns and was intercepted twice. Dickerson's 73 yards were well below his season average. The Rams' 14 points came on two late scoring drives against the 49ers' reserves.
49ers 28, Rams 14. Margin: plus 14. Record: 4-4.
A 28-14 home win over the Los Angeles Rams. The 49ers cut the division gap to one game at 4-4.
How it unfolded
Montana's first touchdown pass came on the second drive. Three consecutive scoring drives in the first half built a 21-0 lead. Dickerson's production never reached double figures in any quarter. The Rams scored twice in garbage time.
The turning point
Montana's zero-interception game after throwing six in the previous four outings. The clean passing performance — 23 of 36, three touchdowns — reversed the defensive trend and gave the 49ers control.
By the numbers
Montana 23 of 36 at 8.4 per attempt, three touchdowns, zero interceptions. Dickerson held to 73 yards on 20 carries. The 49ers' defense produced two interceptions and held the Rams to zero points in the first three quarters.
What it means
4-4 heading to Philadelphia. The divisional win cuts the Rams' lead to one game. Six games left to climb to the playoffs.
| SF | Opp | |
|---|---|---|
| Team totals | ||
| First Downs | 23 | 25 |
| Total Yards | 429 | 401 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 4 |
| Passing | ||
| Comp/Att | 23/36 | 35/51 |
| Pass yards | 303 | 344 |
| Pass TD | 3 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 3 |
| Sacks taken | 3 | 4 |
| Sack yards lost | 13 | 25 |
| Net pass yards | 290 | 319 |
| Rushing | ||
| Rushes | 31 | 17 |
| Rush yards | 139 | 82 |
| Rush TD | 1 | 0 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fumbles | 1 | 3 |
| Fumbles lost | 1 | 1 |
| Penalties | 6 | 10 |
| Penalty yards | 45 | 62 |
| Player | C/A | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | |||||
| Joe Montana #16 | 22/30 | 306 | 3 | 0 | 139 |
| Freddie Solomon #88 | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 |
| Matt Cavanaugh | 1/5 | -3 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 |
| RAM | |||||
| Dieter Brock | 35/51 | 344 | 2 | 3 | 75.9 |
| Player | Att | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Roger Craig #33 | 14 | 63 | 1 | 14 |
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 11 | 57 | 0 | 14 |
| Matt Cavanaugh | 2 | 10 | 0 | 13 |
| Joe Montana #16 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Derrick Harmon | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Bill Ring #39 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| RAM | ||||
| Eric Dickerson | 12 | 61 | 0 | 21 |
| Barry Redden | 2 | 18 | 0 | 15 |
| Henry Ellard | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Dieter Brock | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Player | Rec | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Roger Craig #33 | 6 | 132 | 1 | 73 |
| Derrick Harmon | 2 | 46 | 0 | 42 |
| Russ Francis #81 | 5 | 44 | 0 | 12 |
| Dwight Clark #87 | 3 | 29 | 1 | 14 |
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 3 | 24 | 1 | 16 |
| Jerry Rice #80 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 9 |
| Freddie Solomon #88 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 6 |
| RAM | ||||
| Henry Ellard | 9 | 120 | 1 | 23 |
| Tony Hunter | 7 | 55 | 1 | 20 |
| Bobby Duckworth | 3 | 46 | 0 | 17 |
| Mike Young | 4 | 37 | 0 | 12 |
| David Hill | 3 | 35 | 0 | 15 |
| Barry Redden | 5 | 24 | 0 | 8 |
| Ron Brown | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| Eric Dickerson | 3 | 12 | 0 | 8 |
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Find the thread Start the threadCanonical title: [Rewatch Party] 1985 W8 - 49ers at Los Angeles Rams - Game Thread