The 49ers in Week 15 sputtered badly on offense in a 29-22 loss to the Falcons. Now they’re looking to bounce back in a tough divisional game that’ll play a huge role in San Francisco’s bid for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Chances are they won’t win Saturday, or any game, if they don’t play better when they have the football. Here are six 49ers who’ll have to shine if they’re going to get back in the win column:
RB Tevin Coleman
The 49ers are going to need Coleman playing at a high level if they’re going to get their rushing attack rolling again. Coleman’s inability to get anything going on the ground the last half of the season dramatically impacts San Francisco’s offense. He’s a good dual-threat back who becomes much less effective when he’s not a threat to run. He had 45 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown against the Rams the last time they played, and while he won’t get 18 carries again, getting some consistently positive runs would be a good sign from the veteran RB.
TE George Kittle
Kittle’s been dominant in his career against the Rams. In five games, he has 27 catches for 458 yards and two touchdowns. That includes eight receptions for 103 yards in their last meeting. When Kittle is rolling, San Francisco’s offense becomes a nightmare to defend. Ideally the 49ers wouldn’t lean so heavily on their tight end, but that’s reality for now. He can take a step back from his 13-catch, 134-yard performance last week, but he’ll still need to be the focal point of the passing game.
RG Daniel Brunskill
There’s a chance Brunskill gets the start at right guard with Mike Person questionable with a neck injury. Brunskill was a tight end and tackle in college, then played tackle in the Alliance of American Football before joining the 49ers. He filled in admirably at right tackle when Mike McGlinchey was out, but hasn’t started on the interior yet. Awaiting him will be some matchups against Rams All-Universe defensive tackle Aaron Donald. If Brunskill does play and find a way to win some of those matchups, it would be a game-changer for San Francisco’s offense.
WR Emmanuel Sanders
Sanders arrived two weeks after the 49ers’ last showdown with the Rams. He elevated their passing attack well above where it was when Garoppolo passed for 243 yards with an interception in Los Angeles. Sanders had a quiet, two-catch, nine-yard game last week. It’s not a coincidence that San Francisco struggled with their top receiver virtually absent. It’ll be tough for the 49ers to move the football if he’s similarly unproductive again Saturday.
WR Deebo Samuel
Samuel is in a similar spot to Sanders. He’s become too important to their offense to have only one catch in a game. His Week 6 game against the Rams wasn’t great either when he posted three catches and 18 yards with 14 of those yards coming on one reception. Prior to last week, Samuel was emerging along with the 49ers’ passing attack. In six games prior to the Atlanta fiasco, Samuel had 29 catches, 453 yards and two touchdowns. His output needs to be better Saturday if the 49ers are going to put together a bounce-back performance on offense.
C Ben Garland
Garland wasn’t terrible in his first start in place of Weston Richburg, but there were some bad reps that led directly to the unraveling of some plays. He has to be better against Donald and the Rams, and ensure the line is on the same page to keep Garoppolo upright. There were a slew of issues a week ago that led to the 49ers’ sluggish offensive effort. If they struggle again Sunday, the spotlight may turn toward Garland depending on how well he plays against a good interior defensive front.
