The 49ers didn’t put much pressure on quarterback Matthew Stafford in the first half Sunday at SoFi Stadium, as each of the Los Angeles Rams’ three possessions ended in points.
And while they never get many hits against the 15-year veteran, the 49ers managed to apply a little more pressure to allow two game-winning interceptions in their 30-23 win over the Rams.
“I expected a little more pass rush like we saw late in the game,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I thought we made good progress there.”
Stafford completed 34 of 55 pass attempts for 307 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and a passer rating of just 67.8. Linebacker Fred Warner recorded the 49ers’ only sack of the game.
The NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback, Nick Bosa, went without a sack in the second game to open the season. He was credited with three quarterback hurries.
“I saw him make a number of plays there at the end,” Shanahan said of Bosa. “I thought he pressured him at times, but I’ll see that when I study the tape.”
The Rams made a concerted effort – similar to what the 49ers did on the other side against the Rams’ Aaron Donald – to slow down Bosa with their tactics.
Bosa often faced double-team blocks, and Stafford relied on a short passing game that gave the 49ers’ pass rushers little opportunity to get to the quarterback.
“Stafford is a Hall of Fame quarterback, and whenever they have him, they have a chance,” Bosa said after the 49ers’ win.
Bosa, who missed all of training camp due to a contract extension, played 63 of the 49ers’ 80 defensive snaps (79 percent).
He said he felt better than he did in his season debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bosa played the season opener just three days after reporting to the team facility to sign a five-year contract extension worth $170 million.
“I think I’ve definitely improved compared to last week,” Bosa said. “I felt a little more comfortable. I had some answers to some of the things they accused me of.
“[There are] In any case, I want to work on a few things, which is especially difficult on a Thursday evening. I’m glad we won.”
The 49ers have a quick chance to face the New York Giants on Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium.
Bosa expects to be ready for a full workload again.
“I’m not too worried about it,” Bosa said. “I feel good. I think I definitely needed a few games to get my body in football shape. You can’t simulate that.
“Now that I’ve got two under my belt and I’ve had pretty good results on this one, I think the only place I’m going to go from here is up.”
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