One of the most fiercely contested rivalries in the NFL, the Rams and 49ers will write a new chapter in a crucial duel that has decided Super Bowl appearances in recent years. Since the Rams returned to Los Angeles, both teams have made multiple appearances in the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl, with the Rams victorious in Super Bowl LVI.
While the 49ers had more success against the Rams last season, the Rams still have a win over San Francisco in the 2021 NFC Championship Game and the Rams have won two Super Bowls since the 49ers’ last Super Bowl win in 1994. Since 1994, the Rams have appeared in four Super Bowls while the Niners have appeared in three.
Both teams are battling injuries and are far from being the teams that are currently battling for the title, but Sunday promises to be another excellent edition of the Rams-Niners rivalry.
Here are five keys to ensuring a Rams win.
No, I’m not suggesting putting Gregg Williams against a banged up 49ers team. The Rams are just as hurt as the 49ers, and how both teams handle the substitutes on their own team and how they handle the opponent’s substitutes will decide the game.
The Niners are without Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. The Niners also enter the game with an injured Nick Bosa and Charvarius Ward, both of whom were limited in practice this week. On offense, attack Bosa when he’s on the field. Don’t let him get too comfortable against a banged-up offensive line. Attack Ward with physicality.
On defense, double team Brandon Aiyuk and force Purdy to attack other targets underneath. The Niners should run the ball more than usual, but without Kittle, one of their key blockers will not have an impact on the play, so a heavy box would be much more effective.
As mentioned above, the Niners will rely on their rushing attack since they lack playmakers. It’s time to force Purdy to constantly beat the Rams through the air. The narrative around him is that he’s a distributor, so you force Purdy to do that without his arsenal of weapons.
Don’t give the Niners a chance with Jordan Mason.
Tutu Atwell’s time in Los Angeles was rough, but now he’s being used as a starter due to the absence of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Atwell hasn’t contributed anything in the passing game, so it’s time to change the focus of his offense.
Use Atwell as a running back, use him as an H-back, get him involved in screens and crossing routes. He’s a player who plays with the ball in his hands. Give it to him.
Ward enters the game with a hamstring/knee injury. Whittington is a physical player who will cause problems for the injured Ward, especially if Ward is forced to make sharp cuts, something Whittington excels at.
Get the ball to Whittington early and have the rookie run right at Ward. Let’s see how much physicality Ward can handle, and if he can’t, the Niners’ backups certainly won’t be able to.
In situations where the Niners are forced to pass the ball, I would suggest having Byron Young and Jared Verse attack as a duo. This will either create a one-on-one matchup against a guard, as the Niners will likely have to double Kobie Turner. This is a quick lane into the backfield.
To counteract this, the Niners must either capitalize on their opportunities in the 5-man defense or force the Niners to implement a 6-man defensive plan. This means one less eligible receiver for the Rams to cover. It also allows the Rams to run a variety of stunts that take advantage of their game-winning speed.
