Not only are the Los Angeles Rams looking to get a winning streak going since coming out of the bye, but they are also hoping to get some much-needed redemption on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12.
The Rams have lost three straight games to their division rivals, including a tough one in Santa Clara earlier this season.
Rams Offense Vs. 49ers Defense
The Rams will need a bounce-back game from quarterback Jared Goff after he completed just 19-for-38 passes for 198 yards during the Week 6 loss to the 49ers. Although this group has managed to stay healthy for the most part, Joe Noteboom did a solid job of filling in at left tackle for the injured Andrew Whitworth last week.
Regardless, head coach Sean McVay’s offense should once again have their work cut out this time around.
Despite all the injuries suffered on both sides of the ball, San Francisco is relishing in the emergence of rookie defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, who is coming off his best game with 1.5 sacks against and three tackles for a loss. Having cornerback Richard Sherman back in the secondary should also pay some dividends for this stingy group giving up the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (208.9).
Rams Defense vs. 49ers Offense
The Rams’ defense remains a point of strength for this team heading into the final stretch of the 2020 NFL season. Unfortunately, they will be without their leading tackler in linebacker Micah Kiser and starting safety Taylor Rapp.
Linebacker Troy Reeder is set to replace Kiser in the middle while L.A. will once again rely on its tremendous depth in the secondary to fill the void left by Rapp.
The 49ers offense continues to stumble through the 2020 campaign without two of their most key pieces on offense in tight end George Kittle and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The onus will fall on backup Nick Mullens and the return of running back Raheem Mostert and wide receiver Deebo Samuel to carry this group against this elite Rams’ defense.
Keys To Victory
Goff’s Time To Shine
If the Rams are going to kick their play top a notch in the coming weeks, they will need quarterback Jared Goff to start finding his rhythm on a consistent basis. Goff has thrown two interceptions in two of the last three games and these mistakes nearly came back to haunt the team both times.
The 49ers won the possession battle by a whopping 15 minutes and 50 seconds during their first matchup. It is clear that their recipe for success is keeping the Rams’ offense off the field while their ground attack chews up the clock.
Having such a talented receiving corps and solid play up front leaves Goff with little excuses to not have a big game.
Force 49ers Passing Game To Make Plays
With no Kittle in the mix, it is safe to say that Mullens will be relying heavily on the run game led by Mostert to move the offense down the field. Not only does it take the pressure off under center to perform, it allows head coach Kyle Shanahan to grind out the clock while keeping the Rams offense off the field.
Shanahan is not looking for a shootout with Mullens against an L.A. defense that is giving up the second-fewest passing yards per game (200.6). Look for him to really force the issue at the line of scrimmage with Mostert and the run game.
How to Watch
Time: 1:05 PT
Location: SoFi Stadium
TV: FOX
