By Jordan Sigler

Copyright newsweek

The Los Angeles Rams had a chance to score a potential game-winning touchdown on “Thursday Night Football,” but a fumble by running back Kyren Williams at the San Francisco 1-yard line kept the game 23-20 in favor of the 49ers with 1:05 remaining in the fourth quarter.

More News: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Deals With New Injury in Week 5

The Rams were fortunate to make a stop on defense, get the ball back, and score a field goal to send the game into overtime. San Francisco made a field goal attempt on the first possession in overtime. Los Angeles quickly drove down the field, getting into field goal range, but head coach Sean McVay wasn’t playing for a tie.

Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

More News: Chargers Want Justin Herbert to Make Significant Playing Style Change

On 4th-and-1 from the San Francisco 11-yard line, McVay gave Williams a chance to redeem himself for his earlier fumble by giving the star running back the carry. However, the 49ers stuffed Williams to end the game and improve to 4-1 on the season with a 26-23 win over the Rams in front of 73,652 fans at SoFi Stadium.

In the end, the 49ers make one more play. pic.twitter.com/2DIE0HlzVb— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 3, 2025

Following the game, fans on social media criticized McVay for his decision to give the ball to Williams on a draw. Some fans felt the Rams should have attempted a field goal and tied the contest. Others believed Los Angeles should have put the deciding play in quarterback Matthew Stafford’s hands.

“Stafford had 389 passing yards but when the game is on the line, McVay chose to run it with Kyren twice; resulting in a fumble and getting stopped short on fourth and one to lose. Atrocious,” wrote a fan.

‘Have a chance for your defense to get a stop, nah just go for it, and don’t give Karty another chance,” posted another.

“Why did you go for it on 4th down in OT? That was a generous spot to begin with. Should’ve kicked the FG!,” argued a poster.

“Bad playcall from McVay… Stafford was frying…. You don’t take the ball out his hands with the game on the line when he’s cookin like that,” wrote a fan.

“Every football show tomorrow morning needs to be roasting McVay for that playcall,” posted another.

“Sean McVay gotta take the field goal there I’m sorry divisional game with an injured QB gotta put the ball back in his hands to force him to make a play,” commented a fan.

In his postgame news conference, McVay appeared to agree with the criticism. He told reporters he “wished” he had called for a field goal attempt and said the playcall put his team in a bad position.

“The play selection was very poor,” McVay said. “I’m sick right now because I put our players in a (expletive) spot. I’ve got to live with that.”

Thursday night’s loss is a big blow to the Rams for a couple of reasons. Los Angeles entered the game in a three-way tie with the 49ers and Seattle Seahawks for the lead in the NFC West. The Rams lost ground in the division after losing a home game to a 49ers team that was without starting quarterback Brock Purdy, who is dealing with a toe injury.

The Rams will next travel to play the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6.

For more on the Rams and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.