49ers vs Rams: Week 16 Grades and Analysis for San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers battled their way out of the first overall draft pick with a last-minute victory against the Los Angeles Rams. After another game without much offensive success, the 49ers rattled off two touchdown drives at the end of the fourth quarter and converted a two-point conversion for the 22-21 win.

Dec 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrates scoring the game-winning two-point conversion with teammate San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Rod Streater (81) in the 49ers 22-21 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers drought is over! The 49ers won their second game of the 2016 NFL season with a 22-21 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

Against the Rams the 49ers are 2-0 this season. Against all other teams they are 0-13.

The 49ers set a franchise-record losing streak in between these two victories. With the first overall pick in sight, thanks to the Cleveland Browns victory earlier on Christmas Eve, the 49ers finally pulled off a long-awaited victory.

The 49ers still possess the second overall pick in the NFL Draft. Colin Kaepernick‘s late-game heroics and another victory for the win-starved 49ers may change the offseason dynamic, however. Numerous questions remain: will the 49ers attempt to bring back Kaepernick? Will Chip Kelly remain with the team? What about Trent Baalke?

Only one more game remains before the offseason and the answers to these questions.

Dec 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Rod Streater (81) scores a touchdown on a 10-yard pass from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (not pictured) in the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Los Angeles Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines (33) defends on the play. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Grades

Quarterback: A

I am by no means a fan of Colin Kaepernick, and he may not have played an A-worthy game for four quarters, but his fourth-quarter heroics earn him an “A” in my book, especially as it gives the 49ers only their second win of the season. His final two drives, and especially his dive into the end zone on the two-point conversion, showed the kind of determination that has been lacking for much of this season.

Is this grade generous? Perhaps, but Kap’s 28-38 passing for 257 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception — and rushing touchdown — brought the 49ers a win. That’s worth an “A.”

Running Back: D

Only 50 yards away from his first 1,000 yard rushing season, Carlos Hyde struggled significantly. Hyde managed only 38 yards on 13 carries (2.9 yards per rush) before getting knocked out of the game with what appeared to be a knee injury.

Hopefully Hyde will be able to play next week, if only to gain 12 more yards and reach the 1,000 yard plateau.

Wide Receiver: B

Without Quinton Patton or Torrey Smith, both Jeremy Kerley and Rod Streater stepped up. Streater recorded six receptions for 63 yards — including the touchdown that set the 49ers up for the game-winning two-point conversion. Kerley added 62 yards on five receptions. For the 49ers this season, those are pretty good numbers. Rookie Aaron Burbidge also saw action, picking up 15 yards on a pair of catches.

Tight End: C+

Garrett Celek caught four balls for 39 yards in place of Vance McDonald. Decent numbers, but by no means great.

Offensive Line: C+

December 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) is brought down by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ronald Blair (98) during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Grades

Defensive Line: B+

The 49ers defense stood strong on Saturday against a very solid Rams running game. Todd Gurley was held to 67 yards. Jared Goff, meanwhile, was sacked four times and only managed 90 yards through the air.

The 49ers defense may have been playing the Rams, but they finally stepped up.

Linebacker: B

Ahmad Brooks and Eli Harold both recorded sacks for a 49ers defense that finally found some life. After giving up two quick touchdowns in the first quarter, the 49ers defense only allowed one more Rams score the rest of the game — and that off of a Carlos Hyde fumble on the 49ers 25 yard line.

Defensive Back: A-

The 49ers secondary has been hit with the injury bug, as has every 49ers position. The defensive backs stood strong on Saturday, however. Tramaine Brock set up the 49ers first score with a first-quarter touchdown, while Rashard Robinson sealed the one-point victory with a pick off Jared Goff on the Rams final drive.

December 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly watches game action against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams & Coaching Grades

Special Teams: C+

Phil Dawson did not get to kick a field goal. Bradley Pinion did manage a whopping nine punts, though only three of them ended up inside the Rams 20 with a 41.3 yard per punt average. Jeremy Kerley and JaCorey Shepherd had very average punt and kick returns, respectively.

Coaching: C+

Take away the final two drives and these grades would be significantly different. The C+ comes as a result of Chip Kelly‘s gutsy decision to go for two and the win late in the fourth quarter. Some may disagree, but I liked this call. The 49ers were on a roll — and what did they have to lose?

December 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) celebrates with wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (13) his touchdown scored against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Cumulative 49ers Grade for Week 16: B

This was far from a pretty game, but the 49ers pulled out their second victory of the season, and that deserves some optimistic grades — after all, it’s Christmas!

The 49ers painful losing streak has come to a close. And yes, it may have cost the 49ers the first overall pick in the draft, but getting a second win on the season certainly is cause for celebration.

Soe pop open some eggnog, enjoy some time with your family, and allow yourself to smile this Christmas. The 49ers finally found another win!