SANTA CLARA, Calif. _ The San Francisco 49ers celebrated their alumni weekend on Sunday, luminaries such as hall of famers Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens among the attendees for pregame introductions at Levi's Stadium.
A few hours earlier, the team unveiled a stadium statue commemorating the "The Catch," the famous play from Montana to the late Dwight Clark in the 1982 NFC championship game.
But on a day steeped in 49ers lore, the Los Angeles Rams demonstrated that it is a new era in the NFC West.
Todd Gurley scored three touchdowns, Jared Goff passed for two and Greg Zuerlein kicked three field goals as the Rams improved their record to 7-0 and remained on track for another division title with a 39-10 victory.
The Rams intercepted two passes, recovered two fumbles and middle linebacker Cory Littleton blocked a punt that resulted in a safety.
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald forced and recovered a fumble and recorded four sacks, dropping the 49ers to 1-6.
Last season, the Rams outlasted the 49ers, 41-39, at Levi's Stadium en route to an 11-5 record and the NFC title.
The 49ers and then-new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo defeated the Rams in the season finale, but coach Sean McVay rested starters for the playoffs.
During the offseason, Sunday's game was regarded as the first even matchup between teams with young coaches and ascending quarterbacks.
But Garoppolo's season-ending knee injury in Week 3 scuttled that, so it's wait till next year for the 49ers.
Meanwhile, the Rams are rolling.
Gurley, coming off last week's 208-yard rushing performance against the Denver Broncos, rushed for 63 yards and two touchdowns in 15 carries. He caught four passes for 23 yards and a touchdown. Goff passed for 202 yards and also connected with receiver Brandin Cooks for a touchdown.
Cornerback Troy Hill and safety John Johnson intercepted passes, and Donald played like the reigning NFL defensive player of the year.
San Francisco quarterback C.J. Beathard completed 15 of 27 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked seven times.
The Rams led, 22-7, at halftime and extended the margin with Zuerlein's third field goal.
Johnson then intercepted a pass, setting up Gurley's second touchdown run. The Rams established a season-high for points when Gurley caught a screen pass and scored from 12 yards in the third quarter.
After the Rams went three and out on the first possession, the 49ers started moving the ball. But Rams linebacker Samson Ebukam set the tone when he chased down Beathard in the backfield and knocked the ball from his hand while recording a sack. Rookie linebacker Trevon Young grabbed the ball in the air for the recovery.
The Rams capitalized on the turnover with Zuerlein's first field goal.
Late in the first quarter, Donald stripped the ball from running back Matt Breda and recovered the fumble at the 49ers' 21-yard-line.
Four plays later, Gurley scored on a seven-yard run for a 10-0 lead.
The Rams increased the margin on the ensuing possession. Donald sacked Beathard on third down, and Littleton broke through to block a punt. The ball rolled through the back of the end zone for a safety and a 12-0 lead.
JoJo Natson's return on the free kick gave the Rams the ball at their 47, and Goff's 32-yard completion to Woods moved the Rams into scoring position. But 49ers defensive linemen perfectly read a third-down flip pass from Goff to tight end Gerald Everett.
The Rams settled for a Zuerlein field goal and a 15-0 lead.
Hill's interception set up the Rams' next scoring drive, accomplished with a helping hand from backups.
Running back Malcolm Brown rushed the ball several times and caught a screen pass. Receiver Nick Williams, signed last week to provide depth, caught a third-down pass for a first down. And Goff finished the drive with a 19-yard strike to Cooks for a touchdown and 22-0 lead.
Beathard and tight end George Kittle connected for two long gains in the final 2:30, and capped a drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to make the score 22-7.
