The Rams, who were heavy underdogs coming into the game, jumped out to an early 14-0 lead after a 36 yard touchdown pass by Sam Bradford to rookie Brian Quick and a seven yard Steven Jackson touchdown scamper. Both scores came in the first quarter.
The 49ers crawled back into the game slowly, first scoring on a seven yard pass by Alex Smith to Michael Crabtree to make the score 14-7 at the half.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick relieved Smith in the second half. Smith left the game with a concussion and Kaepernick continued the comeback, scoring on a seven yard run of his own.
49ers running back Frank Gore then ran for a 20 yard touchdown to give the 49ers a 21-17 lead.
Bradford then answered the bell and countered with his own scoring a drive. Helped by a successful fake punt, Bradford ended a drive late in the fourth quarter with a two yard touchdown pass to Austin Pettis to take a 24-21 lead with 1:09 left on the clock.
For Rams fans, that turned out to be too much time as Kaepernick led the 49ers into field goal range and David Akers bombed a 33 yard field goal to force overtime.
The Rams started overtime with a bang as Bradford completed an 80 yard bomb to Danny Amendola, but the play was called back due to a penalty flag thrown on the Rams for a having an extra lineman fail to report as an eligible receiver.
The Rams had to punt the ball away and Kaepernick once again led the 49ers into field goal range. But this time, Akers missed a 41 yard field goal to give Bradford and the Rams a second life.
Bradford got the ball into 49ers territory and set-up what was to be a 53 yard field goal try by rookie Greg Zuerlein. But the Rams were called for a delay of game penalty while Zuerlein split the uprights.
The penalty moved the Rams back five more yards and Zuerlein promptly missed from 58.
The Rams defense was able to step-up and get the offense the ball back, but unfortunately there was not enough time for Bradford to drive the Rams downfield for another field goal try and the game ended in a tie.
