NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams have a short week as they take on their bitter rival San Francisco 49ers in a key NFC West battle. The Rams are coming off a hard fought, come from behind victory over the Indianapolis Colts to improve their record to 3-1. The 49ers are looking to bounce back following their 26-21 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaquars. The coaching staffs on both teams know each other well. In his previous stint as the 49ers defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh had success in slowing down the Rams offense. Fans should expect both Coach McVay and Saleh to have new wrinkles in their game plans.
Through the first three games, Rams head coach Sean McVay used a balanced offensive attack. In the game against the Colts, McVay went with a more pass heavy attack. Quarterback Matthew Stafford passed for 375 yards with 3 touchdowns while completing 29-41 passes. Stafford was sacked 3 times against the Colts. Though the 49ers are without Nick Bosa, the Rams offensive line can expect the 49ers defense to test their pass protection. Stafford did complete passes to 9 different receivers in the game, but Puka Nacua was his primary target. Nacua had 13 receptions for 170 yards and 1 touchdown. The next closest receiver in terms of receptions was Davante Adams, with 4 receptions and 1 touchdown. The Rams coaching staff expect the 49ers to do everything possible to take away Nacua as much as possible. Look for Stafford to spread the ball around more to multiple receivers.
In the last two games, RB Kyren Williams has picked up his game. Williams has looked a step quicker hitting the holes as well as running with determination in breaking tackles. Against the Colts, Williams ran for 77 yards on 13 carries. The Rams will need this type of running from Williams to continue. Look for Coach McVay to revert to a more balanced offensive attack to keep the 49ers’ defense honest.
In their past two games, the Rams defense had the job of containing RB’s Saquon Barkley and Jonathan Taylor. The Rams defense has been successful in that goal, holding Taylor to 76 yards on 17 carries. Overall, the Rams held the Colts rushing attack to 85 yards on 21 carries. This week, the Rams defense face a different challenge with 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey. Against the Jaquars, McCaffrey was held to 49 rushing yards on 17 carries, but contributed 92 receiving yards on 6 receptions. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula will look to devise a defensive scheme to limit the productivity of McCaffrey in the 49ers offensive attack.
Quarterback Brock Purdy returned to action against Jacksonville. In two starts, Purdy gives the 49ers offensive a different element with his ability to run the ball. The Rams edge rushers will need keep outside leverage to prevent not only the 49ers running backs from getting to the outside, but also keeping Purdy inside the pocket. The Rams interior defensive line will look to bring pressure up the middle to get Purdy off his spot and disrupt his timing while the edge rushers, led by Jared Verse and Byron Young look to keep from getting outside and force him to step up in the pocket towards the Rams interior pass rush.
The Rams and 49ers have been bitter NFC West rivals for a number of years. While the coaching staffs do have the upmost respect for each other, it is no secret the teams do not like each other. Both teams are looking to send a message early this season in this battle for first place. In the end, look for the Rams to improve to 4-1 in a hard fought victory against their division rivals.
