The Los Angeles Rams saw justice enacted retroactively ahead of their Week 11 tilt against the Seattle Seahawks. The NFL dished out its slew of fines following Week 10, and the Rams’ win over the San Francisco 49ers received some attention, including regarding Davante Adams.
No Rams players were fined.
Instead, one 49ers player was docked not once, but twice, long after the final whistle of the 42-26 Rams win had blown.
49ers LB Tatum Bethune Fined Twice After Loss vs Rams
GettyTatum Bethune #48 of the San Francisco 49ers in action against the New York Giants.
According to the NFL’s Football Operations portal, 49ers linebacker Tatum Bethune was fined for two separate “unneccessary roughness” penalties against the Rams. One was for $5,446 and the other, $5,447.
In the first instance, the NFL fined Bethune for “improper use” of his helmet on Adams. Adams caught a pass from Matthew Stafford, converting a third-and-8 after the 2-minute warning.
Notably, Bethune did not draw a flag for the incident, which saw Adams get up and talk trash.
Bethune drew a flag for his second infraction, a “late hit,” which came in the third quarter. He delivered a blow to Rams running back Kyren Williams. Williams was already in 49ers linebacker Dee Winters’ grasp and going out of bounds.
The latter drive culminated nine plays later, fittingly, with Adams on the receiving end of a pass from Stafford.
For the Rams, Adams and Williams avoided serious injuries, which is the best news possible.
Rams Heading Into Key Matchup Healthy
GettyDavante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after a game-winning catch against the Houston Texans.
Adams, who said he was playing on Friday, and Williams are integral to how the Rams want to operate offensively. ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed expectations remain that Adams will play on Sunday against the Seahawks.
Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Friday that Adams and defensive lineman Kobie Turner were the only two players who would carry injury designations into the contest.
He also expected both players to suit up.
“Unless there’s setbacks that are unforeseen, expect those guys to be ready to go,” McVay told reporters on November 14, before the Rams practiced on Friday. “We’re looking forward to a great game on Sunday.”
Seahawks DL Leonard Williams Gets Honest About Rams
GettyLeonard Williams #99 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after facing the New Orleans Saints.
The Seahawks are aware of how potent they can be with Adams and Co. Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams specifically noted the Rams’ hurry-up offense.
“How fast Matt Stafford just gets the ball out [is challenging]. They also run attack plays and hurry-up pretty well,” Williams told reporters on November 13. “That has been affecting our defense at times throughout the season. We’re aware of that. We’re practicing it. And it’s something we’re trying to clean up and fix. But I think them being a hurry-up offense, staying on track with the way they run their offense is going to be a challenge.”
That is a lot easier to do when the Rams can rely on their starters like Adams and Williams rather than the players behind them, who may have the team’s faith but are simply not of the same caliber.
A win on Sunday would also give the Rams sole possession of first place in the NFL West.
In what is already a tight division race, the Rams can give themselves a significant boost as they prepare to make what they hope is a deep playoff push all the way to the Super Bowl.
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