49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams

Mike Lansford kicked a 26-yard field goal with 0:50 left and the Los Angeles Rams beat the 49ers 13-12 at Candlestick Park to hand the 49ers their first loss of the year. Joe Montana finished 25 of 35 for 227 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Mike Cofer made four field goals. Jim Everett threw a 65-yard touchdown to Flipper Anderson. The 49ers fell to 3-1.[1][2][3]

Mike Lansford's 26-yard field goal with 0:50 left was the difference Sunday at Candlestick. Final 13-12 to the Los Angeles Rams. The 49ers' first loss of the year produced no offensive touchdowns and the kind of defensive struggle the divisional rivalry had not produced in any 1988 matchup. Montana finished 25 of 35 for 227 with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

Cofer kicked four field goals (26, 32, 41, 17). The 49ers' offense produced 327 total yards but no touchdowns. Roger Craig 18 carries for 67 (3.7 ypc). Rice two catches for 36. Taylor three for 33. Brent Jones five for 51. The offensive line gave up no sacks but the run game did not break the kind of explosive plays the offense had been producing in the prior three weeks.

Rams 13, 49ers 12. Margin: minus 1. Record: 3-1. • Montana: 25 of 35, 227, 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 0 sacks. • Rice: 2 catches for 36. • Taylor: 3 catches for 33. • Brent Jones: 5 catches for 51. • Craig: 18 carries for 67. • Rathman: 7 carries for 42, plus 3 for 26. • Sydney: 2 carries for 24, plus 4 for 22. • Flagler: 1 carry for 1, plus 5 for 40. • Cofer: 4-for-4 (26, 32, 41, 17). • Everett (LAR): 16 of 25, 250, 1 TD (Flipper Anderson 65), 0 INTs.

A 13-12 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The 49ers fall to 3-1 in the year's first NFC West game.

How it unfolded

Cofer kicked a 26-yard field goal for an early 0-3 lead. Lansford's 40-yard field goal tied it. Cofer's 32-yard kick made it 6-3. Flipper Anderson caught a 65-yard touchdown from Everett to give the Rams a 10-6 lead. Cofer's 41-yarder cut it to 10-9. The third quarter was scoreless. Cofer's 17-yarder made it 12-10. Lansford's 26-yarder with 0:50 left was the eventual margin.

The turning point

The Rams' final drive. Trailing 10-12 with 4:23 remaining and a fourth-and-one at the Rams' 38, Everett's quarterback sneak picked up the first down. Greg Bell's 11-yard run on first-and-ten moved the Rams to midfield. Henry Ellard's 23-yard catch on third-and-eight set up Lansford's eventual game-winner.

By the numbers

Montana 25 of 35 for 227, 6.5 yards per attempt, no touchdowns and no interceptions. The 49ers' offense produced 327 total yards on a Candlestick afternoon that featured wet field conditions. Craig 67 on 18 carries. Rice two catches for 36 against double coverage from Jerry Gray and LeRoy Irvin. Taylor three for 33. Defense produced one sack of Everett and held the Rams to one touchdown.

Personnel watch