The Los Angeles Rams (3-1) will play their first divisional game of 2025 when they square off with their in-state rivals, the San Francisco 49ers (3-1) on Thursday Night Football. This will only be LA’s second conference game yet it looms large having suffered a loss in Week 3 to Philadelphia. In analyzing both teams, LA enters as the home favorite and with stars on both sides of the ball. San Francisco still has the capability of keeping up but they will have to prove themselves with injuries across their roster.
Who’s got the matchup edge position by position? Here’s how I graded each team…
QB Breakdown: After seeing himself atop the PFF QB rankings for the first two weeks, Stafford has slipped to 4th. Hardly cause for concern. His grade has taken a small dip because of turnover-worthy plays. Zaire Franklin ran a fake rush and dropped into coverage; nearly picking off a Stafford crossing route. But the difference is that Stafford has an extra level to him when the game is on the line. When he is in rhythm, he’s nearly unstoppable. If you look closely, when Stafford’s feet are able to be steady during his progressions, he is lethal on his throws. It’s when his feet are choppy and fast, that his throws get errant. Give me #9 regardless because the guy can flat out play quarterback.
The 49ers enter this week with a question mark of who will be starting under center. Purdy re-aggravated his turf toe injury in Week 4, so he was ruled out. Mac Jones has been the better quarterback with each passer getting two starts. But he’s no Stafford.
RBs Breakdown: Christian McCaffrey has had a slow start to 2025 season when rushing the ball. He is only averaging 56.3/game on the ground. However, he’s been very productive out of the backfield as SF’s security blanket. He is the team’s second-leading receiver with 76.3 receiving yards/game and leads the team in receptions. I fully expect SF to use RB screens throughout to slow the LA pass rush and get the ball in McCaffrey’s hands.
Kyren Williams’s offseason was dedicated to explosion and ball security. Unfortunately, Week 4 showed that he is still has work to do with both. Williams is the 4th-least explosive running back in the NFL right now and almost cost the Rams a win last week because of a 4th down fumble. If he puts the rock on the ground again, McVay might have to make an example of him by using Corum more often. Speaking of the latter, Corum had two passes thrown his away that he dropped; nearly resulting in interceptions both times.
Like him or not because of his team, McCaffrey is still the best running back headed into Thursday’s matchup even despite his lower body injury history.
WRs Breakdown: Puka Nacua, man. The dude is on a record pass for receptions and receiving yards. And frankly, his pace is relatively sustainable. He is averaging 125.8 receiving yards/game and as Stafford’s preferred target, he should hover around that mark week in-week out. Davante Adams continues to grow in this offense. He has yet to have less than 50 yards in any game. In Week 4, Adams and Stafford connected on 66% of their targets – their best mark of the year. It also doesn’t hurt that Adams has found the end zone in three consecutive weeks. And finally, I told you Tutu Atwell worriers to calm down. That the WR3 position would have an impact against Indianapolis. Look no further than Tutu’s game-changing 88 yard touchdown.
The only two perceived threats here are Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings. Pearsall has worked his way into the number one role in Shanahan’s offense. Jennings has made himself known in prior tilts with Los Angeles so they will need to account for him in this one. However, neither will play on Thursday, leaving Demarcus Robinson as Mac Jones’ top target.
TEs Breakdown: George Kittle is out, leaving Jake Tonges as the leading tight end. Despite his backup role, Tonges has still outproduced the Rams TE room single-handedly. 9 of Tonges 12 receptions have gone for first downs. The Rams tight end room has 6 combined. Is this the week we finally see Terrance Ferguson?
OL Breakdown: The only spots along the Rams that I feel good about are LT and RG, Alaric Jackson and Kevin Dotson. Coleman Shelton has been serviceable at center; certainly an upgrade over Beaux Limmer. The two positions of concern are LG and RT (yes, you Rob Havenstein). The Rams have been without Steve Avila, their left guard since week 1; using Beaux Limmer and Justin Dedich (x2). Havenstein is my dog house right now because he has allowed 16 total pressures and 3 QB hits. His pass blocking grade is 47.2 and his run block grade is not much better…58.1. The Rams captain of the offensive line needs to step up soon.
The 49ers are strong up front at the LT, C, and RT positions. Williams, Brendel, and McKivitz have been steady during their SF tenures. It’s the guard position that the Rams will need to expose with Connor Colby (38.4 pass blocking) and Dominick Puni (58.5 pass blocking) barely staying afloat on the interior.
DL Breakdown: For all the negativity that Les Snead gets for his free agent signings, this one does not get enough praise. I understand that it has only been four weeks, but Poona Ford has been a vast upgrade over Bobby Brown III. Ford is 9th/120 interior defensive linemen (80.1 overall grade). He may not be bringing down the quarterback but he still has 9 QB pressures and has been a force in run defense. Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske are starting to manufacture more as well after battling injuries to start the year. But there is one more name to recognize: Tyler Davis. Davis gives LA four above average defensive linemen, a huge luxury especially as they have faced/and will face Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, and Travis Etienne.
The 49ers have seen a significant drop in their DL stock with the season-ending ACL injury to Nick Bosa. Without him their rotation consists of Mykel Williams, Jordan Elliott, Kalia Davis, and Sam Okuayinonu. Those four interior linemen have combined for 19 pressures and 0 sacks.
EDGE Breakdown: Byron Young is tied atop the NFL leaderboard in sacks with 5.0. Jared Verse registered his second sack in as many weeks. The strength that Verse has played with through his first 21 NFL games is next level. Tanor Bortolini was his lastest victim.
Even though they will use a 4-3 base package, Williams and Okuayinonu will likely feature as SF’s edge rushers. Williams has been the best and that’s not saying much.
LB Breakdown: The 49ers have the edge at linebacker. Fred Warner is the best in the game and he is joined alongside Dee Winters (15th/75 LB). SF has always done a great job of drafting and developing their linebackers and Winters appears to be the next linebacker in the mix. He may be undersized but he is more than capable of defending the run and pass.
Nate Landman has dropped in the linebacker rankings but has continued to be a sure tackler in the middle of the team’s defense. The signal caller has only missed one tackle so far.
DB Breakdown: The 49ers secondary is one of the weakest I have seen in the Kyle Shanahan/John Lynch era. Deommodore Lenoir is the only starter from last year’s team. Luter Jr, Sigle, and Pinnock have been as plain as they come.
I feel good about all of the Rams DBs except one. Emmanuel Forbes. After receiving some hype in training camp and preseason, Forbes has not been able to transition his game into the regular season. If I am making my starting lineup, I’m using Durant, Williams, Lake, Curl, Kinchens, and McCullough. Forbes is on the outside looking in.
ST Breakdown: Maybe I’m not giving the Rams special teams enough credit. Karty has been perfect on all of his kicks aside from one XP block and two field goal blocks (none of which are his fault). Ethan Evans has dropped 7 of his 13 punts inside the other team’s 20. I guess I would like to see the punt coverage and punt return game’s contribute more moving forward.
COACHING Breakdown: Shanahan may have been big brother in the regular season from 2019 – 2022, but since 2023, McVay is 3-1 with three consecutive wins.
Chris Shula and Robert Saleh are both strong defensive coordinators but I’m giving Shula the edge has his unit has been more consistent and has faced two top 10 offenses.
Los Angeles has faced Indianapolis (4th), Philadelphia (7th), Houston (29th), and Tennessee (32nd). LA’s PPG allowed is 20.3.
San Francisco has faced Seattle (6th), Jacksonville (16th), Arizona (22nd), and New Orleans (28th). SF’s PPG allowed is 18.8.
Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Which matchups do you like the most for the Rams in this one? The least? Where do you disagree with my assessments? Let me know in the comments below.
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