INGLEWOOD — If last weekend’s season-opening win was the young Rams telling the NFL not to take them lightly, then they were reminded by the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday’s 30-23 loss how far they still have to go.

The Rams came out strong, even jumping out to a touchdown lead with 1:45 to go in the first half. But the Niners responded with 17 straight points to retake control, then closed out the game with timely defense.

But that doesn’t mean the young Rams weren’t flashing their potential throughout the game.

Receivers Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua picked up right where they left off in Week 1. Atwell’s speed made him difficult for the Niners to account for, and he flashed some strength finishing a catch through a hit from Deommodore Lenoir.

The rookie Nacua, meanwhile, brought in 15 catches for 147 yards. With 25 passes caught, Nacua broke the NFL record for most receptions by a player in his first two career games.

Meanwhile, second-year back Kyren Williams — starting in place of the scratched Cam Akers — again found the end zone twice, as he did last week. He skipped in for a screen-pass touchdown to tie the game at 10, sprung by blocks by center Coleman Shelton and second-round pick Steve Avila, then gave the Rams the lead with 1:45 left in the first half behind a Tyler Higbee pulling block.

Meanwhile on defense, second-year corner Cobie Durant’s third-down pass breakup forced San Francisco into a field goal in the first quarter. And third-round picks Kobie Turner and Byron Young teamed up, with Turner flushing San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy out of the pocket for Young to pick up the third-down sack.

But youth has it pitfalls as well, like when second-year corner Derion Kendrick was called for consecutive penalties in the end zone at the end of the second half. The Niners faced fourth-and-goal from the half-yard line with one second left, and Purdy snuck the ball in for a tying touchdown.

Then with the Rams driving and looking to retake the lead in the third quarter, Williams could not corral a pass, tipping it up for Isaiah Oliver to intercept. Only an overthrow by Purdy on third down got the Niners off the field, with Jake Moody hitting a 57-yard field goal to give San Francisco the lead again.

Matthew Stafford’s first interception of the year was followed on the next drive by his first sack. Linebacker Fred Warner went untouched into the backfield on third down as Tremayne Anchrum — in at right guard for an injured Joe Noteboom (shoulder) — slid down to double Shelton’s man rather than pick up the blitz.

The 49ers took over at their own 26 and went 74 yards in seven plays, with Deebo Samuel breaking two tackles on his way to the end zone for a 10-point lead.

The Rams responded with a 48-yard Brett Maher field goal, then outside backer Michael Hoecht and safety Jordan Fuller stopped Samuel dead in his tracks on second down before Purdy threw behind the receiver on third to force a three-and-out with 5:38 to play.

But Stafford tried to force the ball to Van Jefferson on third down only for Lenoir to jump the route for the clinching interception as the small portion of blue-clad fans headed for the exits.

More to come on this story.

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