Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks (12) runs next to San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Los Angeles. | Alex Gallardo, Associated Press

By Brandon Judd

SALT LAKE CITY — For the San Francisco 49ers, things are looking good.

The 49ers are 5-0 for the first time since 1990 and are coming off a 20-7 victory Sunday over their NFC West rival, the Los Angeles Rams, last year’s NFC representative in the Super Bowl.

While Jimmy Garoppolo has the San Francisco offense humming — averaging 29.4 points per game, third-best in the league — players like former BYU linebacker Fred Warner anchor a 49ers defense that’s giving up just 12.8 points per game, second-best in the NFL. 

In their past two games, the 49ers have conceded 10 points total.

In addition to the second-year pro Warner, San Francisco is getting key contributions from defensive linemen DeForest Buckner, Dee Ford and Arik Armstread, as well as fellow linebacker Kwon Alexander and a defensive secondary led by veteran cornerback Richard Sherman and free safety Jimmie Ward.

Los Angeles scored first Sunday — going up 7-0 on a short touchdown run less than six minutes into the game on a seven-play, 56-yard drive that was all on the ground. After that, the 49ers clamped down, holding the Rams to 53 rushing yards the rest of the contest and 157 total yards, by far the lowest total in the coach Sean McVay era.

“We just played our style. We had to stop the run, first and foremost,” Warner said postgame in a video posted on 49ers.com. “I think that first drive showed they were running the ball effectively, and they got in the end zone. Once we came to the sideline and had a gut check and figured out what we were going to do, the rest was history.”

A defining moment for the 49ers defense came in the second quarter when Los Angeles, on its fourth possession, started a drive at the San Francisco 46 following a short punt. Two plays later, the Rams had a first and goal at the 49ers’ 10, and Warner tackled wide receiver Cooper Kupp for a five-yard gain. After a Darrell Henderson carry to the 1-yard line, though, the 49ers stuffed two Malcolm Brown runs up the middle short of the end zone, and the goal line stand kept the Rams from going ahead in a 7-7 game.

The Rams didn’t come close to scoring again, as each L.A. possession in the second half minus one ended in Rams territory. Even when Los Angeles was set up with the ball at the San Francisco 36 in the fourth quarter following a turnover, the Rams gained just eight yards before turning the ball over on downs.

On a day where San Francisco had four sacks, seven tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries, Warner almost quietly went about his business. By game’s end, he had six tackles — tied for second-most on the team — including five solo stops, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry.

Looking beyond the numbers, though, and it reveals several of Warner’s numbers came on key downs. Early in the third quarter, San Francisco capitalized on the Rams’ lone turnover to take a 14-7 lead on a Garoppolo 1-yard TD run.

On the ensuing possession, Warner, the team’s starting Mike linebacker, dropped Brown for a 2-yard loss on a third-and-18 play deep in L.A. territory. It helped set up a short field for the 49ers, and San Francisco cashed in with a 25-yard Robbie Gould field goal to go up 17-7.

Then, early in the fourth quarter after the 49ers increased their lead to 20-7, Warner hurried Rams quarterback Jared Goff into an incompletion on a third-and-1 at the Los Angeles 44. The Rams chose to go for the first down on fourth, but Warner and Ward stuffed Henderson for no gain, giving San Francisco the ball in L.A. territory.

“We knew it was going to be a four-quarter game,” Warner said. “We knew it was going to take all 60 minutes. It was a hard-fought game.”

On the year, Warner had a team-high 31 tackles, including 24 solo stops, a pair of pass deflections and a forced fumble. 

From his inside linebacker position, the former Cougar has helped San Francisco rank second in the NFL in total defense, giving up 237.4 yards per game, while owning the league’s top pass defense, allowing 150.2 passing yards per game.

On Sunday, Goff was limited to 78 passing yards. It’s only the second time the top pick in the 2016 NFL draft was held under 100 passing yards in a game and the first since his rookie season — in Goff’s sixth start, when San Francisco held him to 90 passing yards in a 22-21 49ers win in 2016.

That kind of dominance had fellow defender Buckner come up with the perfect word to describe what motivates the 49ers.

“Underdogs,” he told the NFL Network.  

Here’s a look at how each of the Utah ties on active NFL rosters performed during the sixth week of the 2019 NFL regular season:

1 of 14
New England Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy runs for a touchdown after recovering a New York Giants fumble in the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) | Elise Amendola, AP
2 of 14
New Orleans Saints free safety Marcus Williams, left, covers Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) | Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
3 of 14
Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Nick Vigil (59) is congratulated by defensive tackle Andrew Brown (93) after recovering a fumble by Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton) | Gail Burton, AP
4 of 14
Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner, left, runs the ball as Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis tries to tackle him during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) | Kelvin Kuo, AP
5 of 14
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) runs the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars defense during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton) | Stephen B. Morton, AP
6 of 14
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt, right, tries to get past Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Sam Tevi during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) | Kelvin Kuo, AP
7 of 14
Miami Dolphins cornerback Eric Rowe (21) waits stands on the field, during the second half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) | Brynn Anderson, AP
8 of 14
Los Angeles Rams free safety Eric Weddle (32) looks on from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo ) | Alex Gallardo, AP
9 of 14
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Ezekiel Ansah plays against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) | Ron Schwane, AP
10 of 14
Cleveland Browns Ricky Seals-Jones (83) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) after a pass reception during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) | Ron Schwane, AP
11 of 14
Washington Redskins offensive tackle Donald Penn (72) cheers at the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) | Brynn Anderson, AP
12 of 14
Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) reacts alongside teammate quarterback Joe Flacco (5) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) | Jack Dempsey, AP
13 of 14
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks (12) runs next to San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) | Alex Gallardo, AP
14 of 14
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) runs for a touchdown while breaking a tackle byf Detroit Lions defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) | Mike Roemer, AP

PATRIOTS 35, GIANTS 14

New England

Related
Morning links: Watch former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy lay out to score on a fumble return in Patriots’ win
  • Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Started at linebacker and scored on a 22-yard fumble return that gave the Patriots a 28-14 fourth-quarter lead. He also had two tackles, including one solo, a sack and two quarterback hurries — one on a third-and-one that forced a punt — while playing 46 defensive snaps.

New York

  • No locals on roster

PANTHERS 37, BUCCANEERS 26

Carolina

  • Tyler Larsen, OL, Utah State and Jordan High: Played nine special teams snaps.

Tampa Bay

  • Matt Gay, K, Utah and Orem High: Made a 54-yard field goal in the third quarter and made his only extra-point attempt while playing two special teams snaps.

NFL locals, Week 6
Top performances


Gail Burton, Associated Press

Nick Vigil, LB, Cincinnati Bengals


The former USU star had a game-high 13 tackles, recovered a fumble and had a pass deflection in the Bengals’ 23-17 loss to Baltimore.


Mike Roemer, AP

Jamaal Williams, RB,
Green Bay Packers


The former BYU back rushed for a game-high 104 yards and had four receptions for 32 yards, including a 5-yard TD catch, in the Packers’ 23-22 win over Detroit.


Elise Amendola, Associated Press

Kyle Van Noy, LB,
New England Patriots


The former BYU ‘backer scored on a 22-yard fumble return and also had two tackles, a sack and two QB hurries in the Patriots’ 35-14 win over the New York Giants.


Ron Schwane, Associated Press

Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Seattle Seahawks


The former BYU pass rusher forced and recovered a fumble and added two tackles in the Seahawks’ 32-28 win over Cleveland.

RAVENS 23, BENGALS 17

Baltimore

  • No locals on active roster

Cincinnati

  • Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State and Fremont High: Started at linebacker and recovered a fumble in the second quarter that led to a Bengals field goal. He also had a game-high 13 tackles, including 10 solo stops, and added a pass deflection while playing 74 defensive snaps and six on special teams.

SEAHAWKS 32, BROWNS 28

Seattle

  • Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU: Forced a fumble when Cleveland was in Seattle territory and recovered the fumble, which led to a Seahawks touchdown on the ensuing possession to give Seattle the lead. He also had two solo tackles while playing 27 defensive snaps.
  • Cody Barton, LB, Utah and Brighton High: Played 18 special teams snaps.
  • Marquise Blair, S, Utah: Played eight defensive snaps and 12 on special teams.
  • John Ursua, WR, Cedar and Westlake High: Not active for game.
  • Bobby Wagner, MLB, Utah State: Started at middle linebacker and had a team-high seven solo tackles and a tackle for loss while playing all 69 defensive snaps for the Seahawks and three on special teams.

Cleveland

  • Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU: Played 16 special teams snaps.

SAINTS 13, JAGUARS 6

New Orleans

  • Taysom Hill, QB, BYU: Had three carries for 17 yards — including a 19-yard run on a third-and-6 play on a touchdown drive — while playing 11 offensive snaps and six on special teams.
  • Marcus Williams, FS, Utah: Started at free safety and had five tackles, including two solo stops and a third-down tackle short of a first down, and two pass deflections — one on a third-down play — while playing all 59 defensive snaps for the Saints.

Jacksonville

  • No locals on active roster

TEXANS 31, CHIEFS 24

Houston

  • No locals on roster

Kansas City

  • Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU: Had three tackles, including two solo stops and two third-down tackles short of a first down, while playing 22 defensive snaps and 18 on special teams.
  • Darwin Thompson, RB, Utah State: Played 11 special teams snaps.

REDSKINS 17, DOLPHINS 16

Washington

  • Tony Bergstrom, OL, Utah and Skyline High: Played four special teams snaps.
  • Donald Penn, OT, Utah State: Started at left tackle and played all 59 offensive snaps for the Redskins.

Miami

  • Eric Rowe, CB, Utah: Started at cornerback and had six tackles, including a solo stop, and a pass deflection on a third-down play while playing all 59 defensive snaps for the Dolphins.

VIKINGS 38, EAGLES 20

Minnesota

  • No locals on roster

Philadelphia

  • No locals on active roster

CARDINALS 34, FALCONS 33

Arizona

  • No locals on active roster

Atlanta

  • No locals on roster

49ERS 20, RAMS 7

San Francisco

  • Fred Warner, LB, BYU: Started at Mike linebacker and had six tackles, including five solo stops and an assisted tackle for no gain on a fourth-and-1, a tackle for loss on a third-down play and a quarterback hurry, also on a third-down play, while playing all 53 defensive snaps for the 49ers and one on special teams.
  • Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah: Had four punts for 159 yards — a 39.8-yard average — with a long punt of 51 yards and a special teams tackle while serving as the team’s kickoff specialist and holder in playing 17 special teams snaps.

Los Angeles

  • JoJo Natson, WR/Ret., Utah State: Had three kickoff returns for 74 yards — a 24.7-yard average — and a punt return for eight yards while playing 12 special teams snaps.
  • Eric Weddle, FS, Utah: Started at free safety and had 10 tackles, including four solo stops and an assisted tackle for no gain on a third-and-1 inside the Los Angeles 15, while playing all 78 defensive snaps for the Rams.

BRONCOS 16, TITANS 0

Denver

  • Garett Bolles, OT, Utah, Snow College and Westlake High: Started at left tackle and played all 62 offensive snaps for the Broncos and four on special teams.
  • Devontae Booker, RB, Utah: Played 11 special teams snaps.

Tennessee

  • LeShaun Sims, CB, Southern Utah: Played 20 special teams snaps.

JETS 24, COWBOYS 22

New York

  • Harvey Langi, LB, BYU, Utah and Bingham High: Had a special teams solo tackle while playing 22 special teams snaps.

Dallas

  • Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham High: Had one reception for 6 yards while playing six offensive snaps and five on special teams.
  • Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, Timpview High: Played five special teams snaps.

STEELERS 24, CHARGERS 17

Pittsburgh

  • No locals on roster

Los Angeles

  • Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Started at cornerback and had five tackles, including two solo stops, while playing all 60 defensive snaps for the Chargers and four on special teams.
  • Sam Tevi, OT, Utah: Started at right tackle and played all 62 offensive snaps for the Chargers and four on special teams.

PACKERS 23, LIONS 22

Green Bay

  • Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State: Had three tackles, including two solo stops, a half-sack on a third-down play that forced a punt and a quarterback hurry while playing 17 defensive snaps and eight on special teams.
  • Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Scored a second-quarter touchdown on a 5-yard pass, rushed for a game-high 104 yards on 14 carries — a 7.4 per-carry average that included a career-best 45-yard run — and had four receptions for 32 yards and a kickoff return for 9 yards while playing 39 offensive snaps and 10 on special teams.

Detroit

  • Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Had a solo special teams tackle while playing 25 special teams snaps.

LOCAL TRANSACTIONS

  • Luke Falk, QB, Logan High: The New York Jets waived Falk on Saturday. After starting this year on the practice squad, he ended up starting two games in replacement of Sam Darnold, completing 47 of 73 passes for 416 yards and three interceptions with a lost fumble over three games played.
  • Dax Raymond, TE, Utah State and Timpview High: The Chicago Bears re-signed Raymond to their practice squad Monday. Raymond signed with Chicago after going undrafted in April but was injured in the preseason and reached an injury settlement, leading to his release.