The Los Angeles Rams (6-2) are set to travel to the San Francisco 49ers (6-3) on Sunday afternoon; an important game surrounding the NFC West and top-seeds with the NFC Conference. When these two teams played in Week 5, the 49ers jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead; catching the Rams on their heels. LA was able to get back into the game but costly mistakes at the running back position and special teams left McVay and Co. expressionless after the final whistle.
A few factors have changed since October, including the loss of Fred Warner for the 49ers defense. But the biggest change could be who the 49ers start at quarterback: Brock Purdy or Mac Jones? Here’s a look at the each position for both teams and which team holds the edge.
QB Breakdown: If Stafford plays to the same caliber that he has up to this point, I will move him up to the “Elite” ranking for Week 11. Stafford is having the best season of his career and truly in the driver’s seat for MVP (who cares what everyone else thinks). Sean McVay will atone for his Week 5 mistake; putting the ball in his quarterback’s hands when the offense needs to convert in pivotal spots.
Kyle Shanahan has a tough choice to make with either starting Mac Jones (5-2) or Brock Purdy (1-1) who also led the 2023 team to the Super Bowl. My guess is that Mac Jones gets one more start having already faced this Rams team before.
RBs Breakdown: Kyren Williams & Blake Corum ran 38 times for 172 yards last week against the New Orleans Saints. It was easily their best statistical output of the season. If LA wants to guarantee a win against their rivals; rushing for identical numbers against Robert Saleh’s defense would make it happen. I would expect that Kyren Williams will come out playing extremely physical to atone for his goal line fumble at the end of regulation.
Christian McCaffrey has been feast or famine in 2025. Against the Falcons and Giants he dominated. But those defenses rank 23rd and 31st against the run respectively. Against the Seahawks (2nd), Saints (24th), Cardinals (12th), Jaguars (3rd), Rams (11th), Buccaneers (7th), and Texans (6th), he has averaged 51.5 rushing yards. Where he makes up for his lack of rushing volume has been in the short passing game. McCaffrey leads the team in receiving yards (626 yards) which is 7th in the NFL.
WRs Breakdown: Just give it time, I said. Davante Adams and Matthew Stafford are finding their rhythm. Just like Odell Beckham and Stafford in 2021, it took about 6 games for them to understand one another’s timing. Adams is not generating a tough of yards after the catch but he is giving the Rams a boost in a much more important area for Los Angeles: the red zone. Oh. And welcome back Puka Nacua.
Ricky Pearsall appears likely to miss this game. However Jauan Jennings will play in this game after missing the matchup in Week 5. After having a huge game against LA and TB in Weeks 5 & 6, Kendrick Bourne has yet to collect 5 receptions in subsequent games.
TEs Breakdown: LA has appeared to find something with their usage of 13 personnel, specifically with Terrance Ferguson. The Rams have used the threat of the run to get their tight ends involved in play action. All four guys are seeing targets too with Davis Allen and Terrance Ferguson providing the majority of the damage. This unit is growing week to week, I just want to make sure it isn’t a tease.
George Kittle is another contributor that SF will have this time around. If there is anything to consider with SF and their tight ends, its that they like to use them in the red zone area. Kittle, Tonges, and Juszyzyk have 7 touchdowns, half of the receiving TDs for the Niners this year.
OL Breakdown: Rob Havenstein returned to LA’s offensive line after a three game absence (ankle injury). Whether or not it was Havenstein’s presence, the Rams did have their best rushing output. Kevin Dotson is graded as PFF’s third highest guard (78.9) in the NFL. Steve Avila has really ascended with his play after a weak start to the year. He is the 9th highest guard (73.2). Lastly, Coleman Shelton is ranked 7th (74.4) among 34 eligible centers.
The 49ers are not to be taken lightly with their offensive line. Trent Williams (LT), Jake Brendel (C), and Colton McKivitz (RT) are elite or above average players at their respectively positions. The guard spots are the weak chain but Shanahan has relied on getting the ball out quick to ensure his quarterback is not in harm’s way.
DL Breakdown: Poona Ford continues to dominate in the trenches. Braden Fiske’s motor appears to be running hot as of late. The interior DL will need to win big this week in order to slow McCaffrey and disrupt the pocket and quick passing attack of San Fran.
The 49ers are banged up on the defensive line. And there really isn’t much there. They have defended the run at a reasonable manner.
EDGE Breakdown: Byron Young and Jared Verse didn’t fill up the stash sheet against New Orleans but the pressures are still there. Verse will likely face off against Trent Williams but Chris Shula could move him around and over the center in order disrupt the timing of San Fran’s offense.
It looks like Robert Saleh will be starting Bryce Huff (4 sacks) and Sam Okuayinonu (2 sacks) for his edge as Mykel Williams (2025 first round pick) is out.
LB Breakdown: Nate Landman is now up to three forced fumbles. LA has to be considering locking him up with an extension because the defense has been at its best since the Brandon Staley 2020 team. And I’d argue that this defense is more impressive from a performance standpoint considering the lack of financial investment as it does not have Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.
No Fred Warner for the 49ers defense which could be costly as Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune will be tasked with trying to solve the Rams heavy-motion offense.
DB Breakdown: The Rams could be getting Darious Williams (shoulder) back this week. The reinsertion of Williams would allow the Rams to use Quentin Lake, Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, and Roger McCreary if need be. In Week 5, Emmanuel Forbes was exposed often by the in-breaking routes that SF heavily relies on.
The 49ers are rolling out Renardo Green, Ji’Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha, Deommodore Lenoir, and Upton Stout as their defensive backs. They did not slow down Stafford in the first meeting and I doubt they will be able to do same this week, especially with Stafford-Adams getting stronger in their rapport.
ST Breakdown: The special teams drama surrounding LA continues to develop as the Rams are prepared to make Jake McQuaide their long snapper. As for the place kicker, Joshua Karty will be in competition with recent practice squad-signee Harrison Mevis.
SF has a clutch kicker with Eddy Pineiro who is sporting a 90.9 kick grade (5th best in the league). He has had multiple game-winning kicks this year.
Coaching Breakdown: Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan will do battle again. Shanahan holds the head-to-head record over McVay but McVay has accomplished more accolades. Shanahan deserves credit for getting the most out of his roster that is without Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall, Nick Bosa, and Fred Warner. Chris Shula will need to show that he can at least slow down Shanahan’s run dominant and short passing game. Forcing Purdy or Jones to throw deep is essential to minimizing SF controlling time of possession and wearing down LA’s defense.
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