All NFL game summaries for 12/04/1972:
The Rams had a 13-point second period to erase a 6-3 deficit and used three interceptions and a good rushing attack to hold off the 49ers and remain in the three-way race for the NFC Western Division title. Roman Gabriel had touchdown passes to Bob Klein and Willie Ellison among his 11 completions for 175 yards. Ellison also rushed for 78 yards while Jim Nettles had a pair of interceptions for the Rams.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 163.7 (5) | 137.9 (18) | 301.6 (14) | 26 |
| DEFENSE | 133.6 (12) | 135.8 (6) | 269.5 (7) | 22 | |
 | OFFENSE | 108.5 (22) | 199.5 (1) | 308.0 (11) | 27 |
| DEFENSE | 125.7 (8) | 162.9 (19) | 288.6 (15) | 30 |
Line: 49ers by 6
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams (6-5-1) | 3 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 26 |
| San Francisco 49ers (6-5-1) | 6 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 16 |
( 3- 0) LA David Ray 32 yard field goal ( 3- 6) SF Ted Kwalick 6 yard pass from Steve Spurrier (kick failed) ( 3- 9) SF Bruce Gossett 31 yard field goal (10- 9) LA Bob Klein 26 yard pass from Roman Gabriel (David Ray kick) (13- 9) LA David Ray 12 yard field goal (16- 9) LA David Ray 19 yard field goal (23- 9) LA Willie Ellison 39 yard pass from Roman Gabriel (David Ray kick) (23-16) SF Gene Washington 8 yard pass from Steve Spurrier (Bruce Gossett kick) (26-16) LA David Ray 42 yard field goal
LA SF
First Downs: 15 19
Rushes-yards: 35-138 20-58
Yards/rush: 3.9 2.9
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 11-26-175-0 27-46-257-3
Sacked-yards: 0-0 1-11
Net pass yards: 175 246
Net yards/pass: 6.7 5.2
Total net yards: 313 304
Total plays: 61 (57% run) 67 (29% run)
Yards/play: 5.1 4.5
Fumbles-lost: 0-0 1-0
Turnovers: 0 3
Penalties-yards: 5-35 5-64
Attendance: 61,214
Passing:
LA: Roman Gabriel, 11 of 26 for 175 yards and 2 TDs SF: Steve Spurrier, 27 of 46 for 257 yards and 2 TDs (3 int)
Rushing:
LA: Willie Ellison, 18 for 78 yards; Jim Bertelsen, 15 for 63 yards; Larry Smith, 2 for -3 yards SF: Vic Washington, 8 for 9 yards; Larry Schreiber, 7 for 40 yards; Ken Willard, 3 for 3 yards; Steve Spurrier, 1 for 3 yards; Jimmy Thomas, 1 for 3 yards
Receiving:
LA: Willie Ellison, 5 for 68 yards and 1 TD; Jack Snow, 2 for 45 yards; Bob Klein, 2 for 40 yards and 1 TD; Lance Rentzel, 2 for 22 yards SF: Larry Schreiber, 7 for 50 yards; Ted Kwalick, 6 for 65 yards and 1 TD; Vic Washington, 4 for 55 yards; Gene Washington, 3 for 34 yards and 1 TD; Preston Riley, 3 for 33 yards; Ken Willard, 3 for 10 yards; Jimmy Thomas, 1 for 10 yards
Kick returns:
LA: Willie Ellison, 4 for 101 yards SF: Vic Washington, 3 for 96 yards; Ralph McGill, 3 for 61 yards
Punt returns:
SF: Ralph McGill, 3 for -6 yards; Bruce Taylor, 1 for 13 yards
Interceptions:
LA: Jim Nettles, 2 for 49 yards; Al Clark, 1 for 18 yards
Punting:
LA: Dave Chapple, 4 for 158 yards SF: Jim McCann, 3 for 116 yards
Field Goals:
LA: David Ray, 4/5 SF: Bruce Gossett, 1/2
LA: Roman Gabriel, 11 of 26 for 175 yards and 2 TDs SF: Steve Spurrier, 27 of 46 for 257 yards and 2 TDs (3 int)
Rushing:
LA: Willie Ellison, 18 for 78 yards; Jim Bertelsen, 15 for 63 yards; Larry Smith, 2 for -3 yards SF: Vic Washington, 8 for 9 yards; Larry Schreiber, 7 for 40 yards; Ken Willard, 3 for 3 yards; Steve Spurrier, 1 for 3 yards; Jimmy Thomas, 1 for 3 yards
Receiving:
LA: Willie Ellison, 5 for 68 yards and 1 TD; Jack Snow, 2 for 45 yards; Bob Klein, 2 for 40 yards and 1 TD; Lance Rentzel, 2 for 22 yards SF: Larry Schreiber, 7 for 50 yards; Ted Kwalick, 6 for 65 yards and 1 TD; Vic Washington, 4 for 55 yards; Gene Washington, 3 for 34 yards and 1 TD; Preston Riley, 3 for 33 yards; Ken Willard, 3 for 10 yards; Jimmy Thomas, 1 for 10 yards
Kick returns:
LA: Willie Ellison, 4 for 101 yards SF: Vic Washington, 3 for 96 yards; Ralph McGill, 3 for 61 yards
Punt returns:
SF: Ralph McGill, 3 for -6 yards; Bruce Taylor, 1 for 13 yards
Interceptions:
LA: Jim Nettles, 2 for 49 yards; Al Clark, 1 for 18 yards
Punting:
LA: Dave Chapple, 4 for 158 yards SF: Jim McCann, 3 for 116 yards
Field Goals:
LA: David Ray, 4/5 SF: Bruce Gossett, 1/2