The Los Angeles Rams have gotten off to an excellent start considering nobody saw them notching a win until Week 3 against Frisco. This week will be a big one for the Rams. Another win gives them some separation in the NFC West. A loss, however, could drop them to a place that they don’t want to be in, looking up in an all of a sudden weak division.
The Rams could’ve been 2-0, but were on the losing end of a nail biter (for the most part) against Washington in Week 2. They entered the game as the highest scoring team in the NFL following their blowout of Indianapolis on opening weekend, but are now playing their first divisional game and road game of 2017 with a split record. LA does matchup nicely with a pretty stacked defence that’s currently third in the league for Passing Yards Allowed with 153.0 through two weeks. That defense is also tied for tenth with 18.0 Points Allowed Per Game.
For the Rams to win this game, their defense needs to stay crisp and step their run guard up too. The x-factor will be their offense and the hot play of Cooper Kupp though. He’s averaging 15.6 yards per catch and has one touchdown (should be two last week) through two games. Todd Gurley will also need to keep his hot play of late alive and well. Against the Skins in Week 2, he posted 136 total yards and two touchdowns. If Jared Goff can continue to work Gurley and Kupp into the game, the Niners will be in deep trouble.
The San Francisco 49ers lost one of the more boring games of the NFL season last week in Seattle (let’s be honest here). Neither team could get into a rhythm and each had their fair share of mistakes. However, if Brian Hoyer can adjust to his new offensive line and learn his pocket timing a bit better this week, the Niners will stand a chance. What murdered them against Seattle was Hoyer rushing passes and not finding his receivers mid-route. If he can find his touch in the red and gold, San Fran could put their first win of 2017 on the board.
Now, with all of that said, the Niner run game will be their x-factor. The Rams passing defense is among the best, but their rushing D is ranked near the bottom. They’re 29th in the league for Yards Allowed on the ground with 304. This means if Carlos Hyde doesn’t run and hide, like he has a tendency to do, this game could be a big one for the Bay Area boys.
Hyde is currently fourth in the league for running backs with 169 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll need to be excellent given the chance because his defense likely won’t do him any favors.
Writer’s Prediction
The Rams (-140) walk out of San Fran with a big 35-24 win.
