Coming off back-to-back losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks, Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams will need to find a way to rectify their issues on both the offensive and defensive sides of the field.
The game against the Seahawks was a heartbreaker as the Rams were able to rally back and put themselves in a position to steal it but Greg Zuerlein pushed a potential game-winning field goal slightly to the right, costing Los Angeles a chance at a division win. The loss particularly hurts because of potential playoff implications given that Seattle now holds a 1-0 record over the Rams.
Things do not get much easier as the Rams are set to face off against an undefeated San Francisco 49ers squad who has impressed to start the year. McVay explained what makes head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense so dangerous, via Gary Klein of Los Angeles Times:
“Kyle does an excellent job of finding ways to really apply pressure to defenses with the way that he can mix it up in the run-pass balance,” said McVay, who worked with Shanahan on the Washington Redskins staff.
McVay and Shanahan have quickly established themselves as two of the brightest minds in football, creatively finding ways to maximize their personnel on offense and draw up explosive plays that attack whatever coverage opposing defenses throw at them. Shanahan was responsible for the Atlanta Falcons’ high-octane offense that led them to a Super Bowl appearance and he has transformed the 49ers into a legitimate contender in the NFC.
San Francisco has weapons at each skill position and a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo is proving to be the perfect fit for Shanahan’s offense. However, not only are the 49ers able to score efficiently, but their defense is vastly improved. Rookie defensive end Nick Bosa has given them a serious boost upfront while their secondary, led by veteran cornerback Richard Sherman, is proving to be an effective unit as well.
Already with a loss to a division rival, this is a game the Rams almost must win if they hope to keep up in the NFC West. Although the 49ers are a formidable opponent, it would still be wise to trust that McVay and his team can right the ship and break out of their two-game funk.
