Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco 49ers head into their biggest game of the season. The team is undefeated, atop the NFC West standings, and hopes to remain there.
This weekend's matchup might also be the biggest of the season for the 49ers' opponent, the Los Angeles Rams. The division rival is coming off two straight losses after winning its first three games and is desperate to turn things around. That makes the team dangerous, and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh knows that.
There has been a lot of talk about the possible regression of the Rams. It was just eight months ago that they were playing in the Super Bowl. Now, at 3-2, they appear to be sliding.
Saleh isn't buying into that talk and knows exactly what the Rams are.
"They're very talented," Saleh told reporters on Thursday. "All this narrative that they've taken a step back, I don't see it. They're putting up points at a rapid rate. Their drop-back game is better than I've ever seen it. Their play-action pass and run game is still there. Sean (McVay) and his staff are still doing an unbelievable job calling plays, setting things up."
Whether or not they have regressed, the Rams might be the best team the 49ers are going to face through six weeks of football. The national media knows that, and that's why it isn't quick to pick San Francisco as the favorite to win on Sunday.
"It's a great challenge for us," Saleh continued. "It doesn't matter who we have on the football field because schematically and team-wise, this is by far our greatest challenge."
The 49ers may still have their lingering doubters, as they have had all season. Yet, they are 4-0. The offense, however, is limping into the division showdown. The team will be without both of its starting tackles, Joe Staley and
Mike McGlinchey, and its only fullback,
Kyle Juszczyk.
The injuries on offense will have little impact on Saleh and his defensive game plan.
"It is a team football game, but from our mindset, we're trying to approach everything and be our absolute best every single play," Saleh said. "Whatever is happening on offense, it shouldn't ever have an effect on what we do defensively."
The 49ers and Rams kick off at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Everyone in the NFL has a tremendous amount of respect for Frank Gore. He remains a fan-favorite in the Bay Area, even this week as the San Francisco 49ers prepare to face the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Gore is in his 16th NFL season. The future Hall of Fame running back figures to be a significant part of the Jets offense this weekend with Le'Veon Bell on injured reserve. Head coach Adam Gase confirmed this week that the 37-year-old running back would start against the 49ers — the team that drafted Gore in 2005.
Second-year defensive end Nick Bosa was seven years old when Gore took his first NFL snap. His defense will try to stop the veteran running back on Sunday.
Bosa, now 22, was asked about Gore after Thursday's practice and whether
The San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday activated linebacker Fred Warner off of the reserve/COVID-19 list. He had been away from the team since August 31.
Warner was back on the practice field this week as the 49ers prepare for their Week 1 matchup on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
"He's looked good," defensive coordinator Robert Saleh told reporters on Thursday. "I think whatever the performance crew has going for him, he looks fine to me. But he's excited to be around and all that stuff, so he looks good. I'm not expecting any restrictions for him."
Warner also spoke with reporters on Thursday. Of course, the linebacker didn't want to get into
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh spoke with reporters after Thursday's practice as his team prepares for its Week 1 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
When you look at the Cardinals offense and the fact that they were able to run the ball so effectively, particularly after getting Arizona Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake last year despite using a lot of three or four wide receiver sets. Why do you think that it is and how difficult is it to defend an offense like that given that they like to spread defenses out?
"Give them credit. They've got a good system. They've evolved as the course of the year went
