Full disclosure: I did not stay up to watch the game.
Guilty as charged. My working pattern allows me to watch Thursday Night Football and Sunday Night Football, as long as I am willing to be a bit bleary-eyed in the morning.
Surely then, given my own team was playing, I stayed up to watch the 49ers at the Rams last night?
Nope.
A weekly dilemma
We all know how tiring Prime Time games are for UK viewers. I made the decision that last night was not worth it.
The San Francisco 49ers were down their starting quarterback, wide receivers #1, #2 and #3 and their starting tight end.
Coming off a disappointing loss to the Jaguars, I did not give the Niners much of a chance against the in-form Rams. 3-2 represented an okay return from the first five games in my opinion.
I therefore prioritised a full night’s sleep, and went to bed as soon as the inactives were released, at peace with my decision.
You can only imagine my surprise when I woke up to my alarm to see the result: 26-23 to the 49ers. I think I even laughed out loud.
A double and triple check of the score followed to be certain. I then sat and watched a re-run, and a game I did not even watch live instantly became one of my favourite wins in the 10+ years I have been supporting the 49ers.
Backs to the wall
I am just so proud of the team.
Kyle Shanahan led an offense consisting of a back-up quarterback, Christian McCaffrey and what I will politely – with full respect – term ‘some guys’ to a road win against a close to fully healthy NFC West favourite.
Robert Saleh’s defense held the Rams in check despite a non-existent pass rush.
Every single player on the 49ers deserves credit. Mac Jones in particular will get his flowers in a future column.
The 49ers displayed incredible grit and steel, and sent a clear message that they will battle in any game, however up against it they are. This game could have a galvanising effect on the 2025 San Francisco 49ers.
Potential impact
I certainly did not expect to be 4-1 when I went to bed.
The Niners are 3-0 in the division, and 4-0 in the NFC after five games.
Their rookies and inexperienced players have made contributions each and every week so far. They must have one of the better back-up quarterbacks in the NFL on recent evidence.
Nick Bosa’s injury looms large – as I wrote about last week – but Fred Warner is playing lights out and Robert Saleh is an elite defensive co-ordinator.
With the necessary context in mind, that is a superb start to the season. I certainly will not be going to bed when the 49ers next play in Prime Time.
Lesson learned!
