San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams: Full Report Card Grades for 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers could've easily tanked the game in hopes of leap-frogging the Cleveland Browns for the No. 1 overall pick. They didn't. Instead they played for pride, ultimately winning a fourth-quarter come- from-behind victory 22-21. 

Trailing 21-7 with just over five minutes to play in regulation, the team scored 15 unanswered points en route to their second win of the season, and sweep of the Los Angeles Rams. Chip Kelly, 49ers head coach, played to win the game when he opted to go for the two-point conversion instead of kicking the extra PAT (point after touchdown). It worked.

An early Christmas present for 49ers fans, it appears the 49ers have some fight left in them, as they won't go down so easily despite being 2-13 on the year.

Quarterback

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San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick continues to have problems with his accuracy. Whether throwing balls too high or too low, Kaepernick was seen struggling throughout the day. However, the stat line would indicate otherwise as he quietly completed 28 of 38 passes for 266 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

The dual-threat quarterback also made some noise with his legs, scrambling for a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown, while sealing the victory with a zone-read option two-point conversion. 

Grade: B

Running Back

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The Los Angeles Rams made life difficult for 49ers' RB Carlos Hyde by simply stacking the box. As a result, Hyde was only able to muster 38 rushing yards on only 13 carries (2.9) average. But the passing game was a different story, as Hyde recorded three catches for 24 yards and one touchdown. 

A player who continues to shine in a bleak season, Hyde proved his worth once again before leaving the game with an apparent knee injury. 

Grade: B

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

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The 49ers were playing without their starting wide receivers Torrey Smith and Quinton Patton; therefore backups needed to step up. WR Rod Streater was one player who did. A late free-agent pickup, Streater scored a touchdown on a quick slant off the left side while finishing the game with a team-high 63 yards on six catches. 

Grade: C

Offensive Line

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The 49ers offensive line was playing musical chairs in order to field the best five. One game after playing left tackle, guard Zane Beadles started as the team's center. The 49ers then moved right tackle Trent Brown over to left tackle, while G Andrew Tiller filled in for Beadles at left guard. If you're following me so far, that left the team to then insert rookie offensive tackle John Theus at right tackle. 

Drastic changes were made, and team chemistry was lacking, evident by the unit giving up four sacks while being unable to establish a consistent running presence.

Grade: D

Defensive Line

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The team's best rookie may just be first-round pick (No. 7) defensive end DeForest Buckner. A player who continues to be on the rise, Buckner once again recorded a sack while being stout against the run. He has really come to life during second-half play. He should be a Pro Bowl player next year, if he can put it all together and stay consistent in his run-fit assignments. 

DE Ronald Blair is another rookie who continues to make his presence known—despite limited opportunities— as he picked up a sack. Why he isn't playing over DE Chris Jones is beyond me. Blair is simply the better player of the two and should be the starting 3-4 defensive end opposite Buckner. 

As a unit, the team held Rams running back Todd Gurley to 67 yards on 23 carries. 

Grade: B 

Linebackers

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One game after being suspended for violating team rules, inside linebacker Gerald Hodges came up big in the run game with a team-high 13 tackles. However, the Penn State product continues to have mental lapses in his assignments while missing too many tackles, so his grade comes with mixed reviews. 

The outside linebackers held their own while setting the edge, as Ahmad Brooks and Eli Harold both racked up 1.0 sack each. 

Grade: B

Secondary

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

The 49ers clearly have a nice No. 2 cornerback in rookie Rashard Robinson. A player who excels in bump-and-run while having the length to stay stride-for-stride with receivers downfield, Robinson continues to be the team's second-best rookie. 

Robinson was seen making plenty of plays on the ball while sealing the game with a fourth-quarter interception. He also finished with a team-high two pass breakups. 

But CB Keith Reaser was just the opposite. He was beat time and time again and was picked on early and often while yielding plenty of first downs. It doesn't appear he will be back with the team next year, especially with third-round pick CB Will Redmond in waiting. 

Grade: B