The 49ers and Rams kick off Sunday at 1:05 pm Pacific Time from the LA Memorial Coliseum. It’s a crucial game in the NFC West race with San Francisco at 4-0, and the Rams at 3-2.
San Francisco’s ridden its defense to their first 4-0 start since 1990. Here are three keys for them to continue dominating against a talented Rams offense:
1. Limit Cooper Kupp
This is much easier said than done. Kupp is first in the NFL in targets, second in receptions and fourth in yards. He’s Goff’s go-to receiver in a tumultuous year for the Rams’ quarterback. Limiting Kupp’s targets will be impossible, but keeping him from breaking long runs after the catch or winning on a throw down the field is key to slowing the Rams’ passing attack. Fred Warner and Kwon Alexander being around the ball quickly on short throws to Kupp will be crucial to slowing down the big receiver.
2. Back-to-back Bosa
It was clear Monday night against the Browns that a maximized version of the 49ers’ defense involves Bosa wreaking havoc off the edge. He was all over the field early and forced a turnover on Cleveland’s second drive by getting to quarterback Baker Mayfield and forcing a bad throw. Goff is susceptible to poor decision making, and Bosa getting home is key to forcing those bad throws.
3. Ward off the big play
Jimmie Ward got the start at free safety against Cleveland and did his job admirably. He was a sure sideline-to-sideline tackler, and singlehandedly stopped a Browns touchdown when he took a perfect angle on running back Nick Chubb, then brought him down in the open field. It’s the exact type of play the 49ers needed from their free safety. Now he needs to have another big game against a Los Angeles offense that will stretch the field. Ward will need to be good again against the Rams’ passing attack if the 49ers are going to limit their explosive plays.
