A fumble on the goalline in the dying seconds of the game from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick handed an unlikely 13-10 victory to the St Louis Rams in their NFC West clash.
The 49ers had success moving the ball on their first drive of the game, but they were held to a field goal as Kaepernick's deep pass for Michael Crabtree was overthrown. Phil Dawson fired his side ahead with a 34-yard kick.
St Louis responded on their second drive as they managed to tie the scores despite losing quarterback Austin Davis for a play. Greg Zuerlein had no problem dispatching a 37-yard field goal through the posts.
The home side managed to regain their composure on offense in the second quarter, and Kaepernick used his feet to avoid the rush as he threw on the run to a wide-open Anquan Boldin, who was able to walk into the endzone for a 27-yard score.
An error from Kaepernick brought the Rams right back into the game as he fumbled the ball and Eugene Sims gathered. Davis moved his side into the redzone and hit Kenny Britt for a touchdown on a crossing route.
Dawson missed a late kick in the half that was collected by Tavon Austin, who decided to bring the ball out and was nearly downed for a safety. Fortunately for the receiver, however, the referees deemed that he was out of the endzone.
Neither side could add to the scoreline in the second half as both defenses began to take control of the game, with some solid line play and tight coverage in the secondary.
The defensive success continued at the start of the fourth quarter as Kaepernick was decked on his own one-yard line by Michael Brockers, which forced another punt from the home side.
San Francisco's day went from bad to worse when Andy Lee shanked a punt and set the Rams up inside the 49ers' 30-yard line. The visitors couldn't score a touchdown, but Zuerlein put them ahead in the game for the first time with a 39-yard field goal.
The 49ers drove late in the game as Kaepernick connected with Boldin for big gains to send his side downfield. A penalty allowed the home side to move to the goalline in the final 40 seconds of the match.
However, there was one more twist in the game as Kaepernick fumbled on the goalline on third and goal, and the Rams won possession of the ball to secure the win to move to 3-5 in their season.
Simon Sinclair
