The 49ers head to Southern California to face the first-place (tie) Los Angeles Rams in a week two division rival match-up. What will the 49ers have to do to claim sole possession of first place in the NFC West? Below are the keys to victory.
Take away the Explosive Plays
Quarterback Matthew Stafford will look to get the ball downfield. In Week 1 against the Seahawks, Stafford went 24-38 passing for 340 yards with five big-time throws down the field. The 49ers defense wants to keep everything in front of them. If the secondary doesn't get beat deep, the Rams may have difficulty finding their way into the end zone.
Stop the run
The Rams scored three rushing touchdowns around the goal line against the Seahawks. The team rushed for 92 yards. The 49ers run defense allowed 41 yards to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, ranking them tied for first with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in stopping the run. When the 49ers stop the run game, it forces the Rams to be one-dimensional, potentially allowing the team's secondary to tee off on Stafford.
Beware of the Trick Plays
In a divisional game, beware of everything. The Rams attempted a flea-flicker against the Seahawks, which was unsuccessful. Special teams must be ready for fake punts and fake field goals.
Be Disciplined
The 49ers committed 11 penalties for 85 yards on the road in Pittsburgh. The Los Angeles Rams committed seven penalties for 53 yards on the road in Seattle. The 49ers must be disciplined to sustain drives and keep the momentum going. Being on the road against a division rival, the 49ers want to limit the amount of penalties if they want the optimal opportunity to defeat their rival.
Establish the Run
The 49ers rank third after Week 1 in rushing. The team rushed for 188 yards against the Steelers. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald will anchor the Rams' run defense. Look for the 49ers to stretch the run outside to wear out the defensive front. The Rams gave up 85 yards to the Seahawks, ranking them eighth in stopping the running. Expect the 49ers to utilize the screen pass if the Rams decide to stack the box to take away the run.