The Los Angeles Rams’ Week 5 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers delivered drama both on and off the field. A 26-23 overtime loss at SoFi Stadium was defined not only by late-game heroics but also by critical turnovers that overshadowed Kyren Williams’ otherwise strong performance.
Lenoir Fires Back
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Two days after the game, 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir took to Instagram Live to call out Williams for taunting him during the matchup. “He’s got a fat mouth. He shouldn’t have been talking. He pointed at me when he scored,” Lenoir said, referencing Williams’ touchdown celebrations as a receiver.
Williams had indeed found the end zone twice through the air, but his last-minute lapse erased any momentum. At the 1-yard line with 1:07 remaining, rookie defensive lineman Alfred Collins forced and recovered a fumble, wiping out what could have been the go-ahead touchdown for Los Angeles. In overtime, Williams was stuffed on a crucial fourth-and-1, sealing the Rams’ fate.
Fumbling Concerns
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Despite racking up 14 carries for 65 yards and eight receptions for 66 yards with two receiving touchdowns, Williams’ ball security issues continue to plague him. Since 2023, he has lost seven fumbles, with two coming in just the first five games of 2025. His turnovers, though, coexist with his productivity; Williams is tied for the NFL lead with 35 total touchdowns over that span and ranks ninth among running backs in PFSN’s RB Impact metric.
Balancing Value and Risk
Los Angeles clearly values Williams’ dual-threat skill set. The team rewarded him with a three-year, $33 million extension in August, making him the seventh-highest-paid running back in the league. Head coach Sean McVay acknowledged Williams’ mistakes but emphasized accountability, calling his fourth-down decision in overtime “a poor decision” while praising the team’s overall effort.
Looking Ahead
Both teams are already looking toward the next clash. San Francisco improved to 4-1 and heads to Tampa Bay, while the Rams fall to 3-2 before visiting Baltimore. With Week 10 set for a rematch in San Francisco, the rivalry promises more fireworks—both on the field and in the social media trenches.
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