Game Info: San Francisco 49ers (1-0) @ Los Angeles Rams (1-0)

SoFI Stadium, Inglewood, CA, Sunday 9/17 @ 1:05 PM PT

Two teams, two very impressive wins from former coaching battery mates Kyle Shannahan and Sean McVay. A team coming off of a dominant defensive performance in Pittsburgh, clashing against the Rams, who are coming off an impressive offensive passing performance in Seattle, should be an exciting game. Factoring in the interdivisional stakes, this will be an important game for both sides as they both look to separate themselves as the clear contender in the NFC West.

As the San Francisco 49ers travel to SoFi Stadium this Sunday, I’ll be taking a look at the matchup and giving my thoughts what it will take for each team to leave victorious. Let’s get right into it.

Who Needs to Perform for the 49ers?

Brock Purdy

In the first ever NFL matchup between a quarterback taken first overall (Stafford in 2009) and a quarterback taken last overall (Purdy in 2022), it will be interesting to watch two quarterbacks of vastly different nature, but who have both found success in the past few years. The comparisons will be inevitable and the spotlight will be on 2nd-year quarterback Brock Purdy. It is clear though, that the 49ers will go as far as he takes them. Week 2 is no different.

Purdy must build off his strong Week One performance (19/29, 220 yds, 2 TDs, 111.3 passer rating) if the 49ers hope to secure the victory. With a heavy focus on star running back Christian McCaffrey as well, Purdy must build on the success he has had when his number is called. The Rams harbor a strong defensive front led by the ever-dominant Aaron Donald, so Purdy must command the passing game quickly and efficiently, hitting his quick throws and allowing his receivers to work after the catch. With consciousness around the league surrounding Purdy’s deep-ball limitations, it makes Purdy’s execution of the gameplan that much more important.

He was excellent last Sunday with improvising outside the pocket and creating open receivers, and extended drives with his ability to pick up yards with his legs. Most importantly, Purdy has proven capable of expanding beyond assumed arm-talent limitations:

Ultimately, Purdy is a great fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. I envision Purdy will have another efficient day leading the offense.

Honorable Mention: 49ers’ Interior Offensive Line

Who Needs to Perform for the Rams?

Starting Cornerbacks Derion Kendrick and Ahkello Witherspoon

The 49ers are famously a run-heavy offense, so they will likely focus first on stopping Christian McCaffrey. This will put high levels of pressure on cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon and Derion Kendrick to neutralize the passing attack, if the Rams slow McCaffrey down. The 49ers mix their looks up in the passing game, and matchups could potentially range from Deebo and Aiyuk, to George Kittle or Jauan Jennings, to even Christian McCaffrey. It’s a seemingly difficult task to try and stop the 49ers’ plethora of weapons but after neutralizing the Seahawks’ passing attack last week, they should be up to the task.

Kendrick, the Rams’ starting LCB, notoriously struggled last year, as he allowed a 106.4 passer rating when targeted in 16 games played.

However, Kendrick showed growth in coverage in week one of 2023, logging a pass defensed and only allowing 2 catches for 11 yards on 6 targets (pro football reference). He is a willing tackler in the run game, and is plays with a competitive fierceness that energizes the Rams’ secondary. If Kendrick can continue to build off his strong week one performance, it makes the Rams’ prospects of winning much higher.

Witherspoon, a 3rd-round pick by the 49ers in 2017, will line up on the right side of the field. He did not fare as well as his battery mate Kendrick did, allowing a 103.5 passer rating when targeted, but Witherspoon was only targeted 3 times. Although he allowed two of those targets to be catches for 33 yards, he was able to keep his assignments relatively in check.

However, this week, Witherspoon must be better. In a game where the Seahawks spent most of it playing catch-up, Witherspoon will be faced with a wider variety of different looks this week. The 49ers are familiar with his play style and tendencies, so it would not be surprising if they heavily targeted his assignments. It will be absolutely critical that Witherspoon completes his assignments effectively and plays penalty-free football.

If Kendrick and Witherspoon can neutralize the wide receivers that line up across from them, it should allow Aaron Donald and the Rams’ pass rush to have more time to get to the quarterback. With the 49ers’ offensive line showing signs of weakness on the right side, the pass defense must step up and allow the Rams’ pass rush to take advantage of this.

My Pick

It should be a fun game. Although the Rams’ passing attack looks to be formidable, especially with the breakouts of rookie Puka Nacua and third-year wideout Tutu Atwell, the 49ers’ pass rush may overwhelm the Rams’ offensive line. I believe this may be what happens. If the pass rush disrupts the Rams’ passing offense, their rushing attack is not strong enough to compensate for it. Stafford is still a great quarterback, but the shortcomings of his offensive line, and the 49ers’ lockdown pass coverage may prove to be too much to overcome. Combined with a solid game from Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey’s brilliance, I see the 49ers taking this game decisively.

Final Score: 49ers 23, Rams 13