The Rams took to the road and came out victorious once again in Week 7, beating the 49ers 39-10 in San Francisco.
This week, it was L.A.’s defense leading the way. Led by defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the Rams sacked quarterback C.J. Beathard seven times, and added four takeaways.
The Rams are now 7-0 for the first time since 1985.
Here are seven stats that stood out in Week 7 against the 49ers:
1. TAKEAWAYS
The Rams forced four turnovers on Sunday — three of which came in the first half.
The San Francisco 49ers entered Week 7 struggling to take care of the football with the worst turnover differential in the NFL at -11, and against the Rams it was no different.
On the 49ers opening drive, linebacker Samson Ebukam poked the ball from quarterback C.J. Beathard as he scrambled about the pocket from the 49ers 35-yard line. The fumble was recovered by rookie outside linebacker Trevon Young.
Two drives later, the Rams defense put the ball back in the hands of the L.A. offense when defensive tackle Aaron Donald reached into the grasp of 49ers running back Matt Breida and swiftly snatched the ball away with a one-handed rip.
As for interceptions, cornerback Troy Hill capped off the Rams strong defensive first half with the first interception of his career and then in the second half, safety John Johnson picked off Beathard, recording his third interception of the season.
Of L.A.’s 39 points, 24 of them came off the four turnovers forced by the Rams defense.
The Rams entered Week 7 with the most points off takeaways in the NFL, and finished the day +4 turnover margin.
2. GREG’S BACK
The Rams special teams featured veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein for the first time this season since Week 1 in Oakland.
Zuerlein missed five games to a groin injury, but seemed to return to action in full-form against the 49ers.
Zuerlein hit 3-of-3 field goals, and was perfect on all four extra points on Sunday. His longest field goal was good from 37 yards.
3. GURLEY TIES NFL RECORD
With his third touchdown of the day, running back Todd Gurley tied the NFL record for the most touchdowns through the first seven games of the season.
Gurley’s 14 touchdowns through the season’s first seven games matches former Chiefs running back Priest Holmes’ start in 2002.
But that’s not the only history Gurley made against San Francisco.
With his first touchdown of the day, Gurley climbed a spot in the Rams record books, rushing for at least one touchdown in 10-straight regular season games.
Gurley surpassed former running back Marshall Faulk on the all-time list, and his current 10-game streak is the longest active streak in the NFL.
Gurley finished with 63 rushing yards with two touchdowns, and 64 receiving yards with one touchdown.
4. SEVEN SACKS
The Rams defense sacked Beathard 7.0 times in Week 7.
Donald led the way with 4.0 sacks, and was joined by inside linebacker Cory Littleton (2.0) and Ebukam (1.0).
Seven sacks is the most in a single game for the Rams in 2018. The Rams previous high came in Week 4, when rushers brought down Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins four times in the L.A. Coliseum.
The Rams had two seven-sack games in 2017.
5. LITTLETON’S BIG DAY
Inside linebacker and special teams star Cory Littleton joined Donald in leading the defense on Sunday.
Littleton blocked his third punt of the season on Sunday afternoon.
With 13 minutes remaining in the second quarter, Littleton blocked punter Bradley Pinion’s second punt of the day from the San Fransisco 16. L.A. came away with five points as result of the block, as the ball rolled out the back of the endzone for a safety. On the Rams ensuing drive, Zuerlein nailed a field goal.
Littleton added 10 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and three tackles for a loss on Sunday.
6. DONALD’S BIGGER DAY
Aaron Donald was as good as advertised against the 49ers, sacking Beathard a personal best four times on Sunday.
Donald’s 4.0 sacks came just two days after he told reporters he could be better as a pass rusher in 2018.
Donald’s best line of the season now reads: 4.0 sacks, nine tackles, five quarterback hurries, six tackles for a loss, and a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
7. POINT DIFFERENTIAL & PERFECTION
The Rams point differential is at +107, which is highest in the league. The league’s next best is +41 from the New Orleans Saints, who the Rams will face later this season.
Sunday’s victory moves the Rams to 7-0 to start the season for the fourth time in club history.
The Rams started 7-0 in 1969, 1978, and 1985.