INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers appeared set to secure their initial NFC West victory in front of their loyal fanbase clad in red and gold at SoFi Stadium.

San Francisco surged to a 14-0 lead in the first half, maintaining a 10-point cushion with less than seven minutes left in the game. They had not trailed until kicker Joshua Karty scored a 37-yard field goal with just two seconds on the clock, enabling the Los Angeles Rams to make a stunning comeback for a 27-24 victory against their rivals.

“It was a frustrating game from start to finish. I really believed we had every chance to win,” remarked 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. “There were moments when we had opportunities to take control, especially early on with that 14-point lead.”

Throughout the game, the 49ers showed dominance; they totaled 391 yards compared to the Rams’ 296 and held onto the ball for over 33 minutes. However, the tide began to shift after the Rams executed a successful fake punt late in the first half, culminating in a touchdown.

“You got to put in the effort. There’s no time for pity parties,” stated 49ers left tackle Trent Williams in an interview with YSL News Sports. “Nobody cares about our struggles. We just need to keep fighting.”

In reality, the matchup between the 49ers and Rams was a clash of two teams battling injuries.

A look at San Francisco’s injury list resembles a VIP attendee roster. The 49ers were missing key players like versatile wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf) and standout tight end George Kittle (hamstring), along with the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Christian McCaffrey, who is currently among five players on injured reserve. Additionally, 2024 first-round pick WR Ricky Pearsall is on the non-football injury list due to recovery from a tragic gunshot wound.

Right now, the 49ers do not resemble the NFC team that competed in Super Bowl 58 with Samuel, Kittle, and McCaffrey on board.

The Rams are also dealing with a multitude of injuries, including wide receivers Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee), who are both on injured reserve.

The Rams came into Week 3 without a win. The 49ers, while the stronger team, entered the game somewhat battered. This was evident when they jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and again when they held a two-score lead late in the game.

Sunday’s match was one the 49ers should have won, but they allowed it to slip through their fingers. Now, San Francisco finds themselves at the bottom of the NFC West with a record of 1-2, giving the 3-0 Seattle Seahawks some breathing space early in the season.

“It’s certainly a tough start, but there’s still a lot of football left to play. We’ve encountered challenging periods before; we just need to stick together. We have the talent to turn it around,” remarked 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa after the game. “We have to feel the loss. You can’t just brush it off as if everything is okay. Acknowledge the loss and aim to improve week after week.

“We’re in a hole now, so we need to work our way out.”

But can the 49ers actually emerge from this self-made predicament?

Absolutely.

In 2022, the 49ers began the season 1-2 but progressed to the NFC championship game.

Despite facing injuries during a three-game losing streak last October, they managed to win seven out of their last nine games, leading them to Super Bowl 58.

This season, the schedule seems to favor San Francisco as they prepare to host the rebuilding New England Patriots and a young Arizona Cardinals squad in the next two weeks.

The 49ers have a chance to recover from their 1-2 start. However, it’s clear from Sunday’s game that they are struggling with injuries and possibly feeling the effects of their recent Super Bowl appearance.

Follow YSL News Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.