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Jared Goff’s erratic passing leads Rams to throws of defeat against 49ers

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The Coliseum has not been a venue for success for Rams quarterback Jared Goff as of late.

Two weeks ago, Goff passed for a career-high 517 yards, but he had three passes intercepted and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

On Sunday, Goff passed for a career-low 78 yards in a 20-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

“I’ve had bad games before, and try to limit them, but it happens,” said Goff, who before the season signed a four-year extension that included $110 million in guarantees. “Just going to keep building, keep getting better and look inwardly and just keep getting better.”

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Goff completed 13 of 24 passes against the 49ers. His longest completion, to tight end Gerald Everett, covered 12 yards.

Receiver Robert Woods had two carries, including one for a touchdown, but did not catch a pass. Cooper Kupp had four receptions, Brandin Cooks three.

Jared Goff is held to just 78 yards passing as the Todd Gurley-less Rams fall to the San Francisco 49ers 20-7 for their third consecutive loss.

Goff’s previous low for passing yards also was against the 49ers, but that was during his rookie season in 2016, before coach Sean McVay installed an offense that ranked among the NFL’s best in 2017 and 2018.

On Dec. 24, 2016, Goff completed 11 of 20 passes for 90 yards in a 22-21 loss to the 49ers.

More injuries

The Rams, already playing without injured running back Todd Gurley, linebacker Clay Matthews and cornerback Aqib Talib, might have lost another starter.

Left guard Joe Noteboom suffered an apparent right knee injury in the second quarter on a play when Goff was sacked. Noteboom was assisted off the field and did not return. McVay said after the game that he had no update. Noteboom was replaced by Jamil Demby.

Safety John Johnson left the game because of a right shoulder injury, but returned before he was ruled out.

Easy picking

Rams cornerback Marcus Peters intercepted a pass by 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the second quarter on a third-and-goal play from the one-yard line.

It was Peters’ second interception this season, and the 24th of his career. Peters returned an interception for a touchdown a few weeks ago against the Buccaneers.

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After wins over sub-.500 Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Cleveland, many wondered if unbeaten 49ers were for real, until their 20-7 win over Rams.

Garoppolo completed 24 of 33 passes for 243 yards.

“Jimmy is a dog out there,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “We love Jimmy. I would wear his jersey on the sideline if I could.

“I love his mentality, I love watching him play. He’s had some unfortunate things with just not being able to stay healthy, but when he is healthy, he’s one of the better players.”

Tight end George Kittle caught eight passes for 103 yards for the 49ers.

Heating up

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald had two sacks, increasing his season total to three.

Donald sacked Garoppolo during the first series, and again in the fourth quarter when he forced a fumble that linebacker Cory Littleton scooped and ran with before lateraling to cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman.

Donald, who had 20½ sacks last season, has 62½ career sacks.

Stepping in

Linebacker Samson Ebukam started in place of Matthews , who had a team-best six sacks before he suffered a broken jaw in the previous game against the Seattle Seahawks. Ebukam made five tackles but was unsatisfied.

“Missed a couple tackles so I’m not very proud of my performance,” he said. “Definitely some plays I left out there.”

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A look at the big numbers from the Rams’ 20-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6 of the NFL season.

Rookie Troy Reeder started again at inside linebacker and made 10 tackles. Linebacker Bryce Hager returned from a shoulder injury that forced him to sit out against the Seahawks but did not make a tackle.

Safety Taylor Rapp returned from an ankle injury and made five tackles.

Linebacker Obo Okoronkwo, a fifth-round draft pick in 2018, played in a regular-season game for the first time. He did not make a tackle.

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