What we learned in the Rams' 41-39 victory over the San Francisco 49ers

What we learned in the Rams' 41-39 victory over the San Francisco 49ers

Gary Klein

What we learned in the Rams’ 41-39 victory over the San Francisco 49ers:

Todd Gurley can run for more than 100 yards

The NFL’s 2015 offensive rookie of the year finally showed the form — and the statistics — that made him a breakout star.

Gurley scored an easy touchdown on the second play of the game after Nickell Robey-Coleman’s interception. He also rushed for another touchdown and scored on a pass play in the first three-touchdown performance of his NFL career.

Gurley was at his best in the fourth quarter when the Rams literally put the game in his hands A 29-yard run and a 27-yard pass reception set up a touchdown that gave the Rams a 15-point lead.

And the Rams needed nearly every one of those points to hold off the 49ers.

Sammy Watkins can make plays

Rams fans now see why general manager Les Snead traded for Watkins during training camp.

He scored two touchdowns, and he and Robert Woods each accrued more than 100 yards receiving.

Watkins made a sensationally difficult catch in the third quarter when, in full stride, he looked over his right shoulder and tracked a pass from quarterback Jared Goff that arrived to Watkins’ left. The play gained 47 yards.

The offensive line is doing a good job

Along with helping Gurley get over the 100-yard hump, the line did not allow a sack.

That enabled Goff to find Woods, Watkins, Gurley and others.

Veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth correctly gets much of the credit for protecting Goff.

But there also have been unsung performances. The Rams could have been in trouble when center John Sullivan left the game because of an injury, but Goff noted that center Austin Blythe came in and did not miss a beat.

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[www.latimes.com]