49ers (4-0) at Rams (3-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: by 4
49ers’ keys to victory: The Rams are without OLB Clay Matthews for at least a month, which puts added pressure on their other pass rushers to step up. Matthews was leading the team in sacks before breaking his jaw. The 49ers can now focus more attention on all-pro DT Aaron Donald. If the 49ers are wise, LG Laken Tomlinson should get plenty of help on the interior from C Weston Richburg to slow down Donald. That could give QB Jimmy Garoppolo time to take advantage of a Rams secondary that’s reeling.
Rams’ keys to victory: Los Angeles has thrown the ball far more than it has run it. That’s not a recipe for success, given the way QB Jared Goff has played. The offense is built on running the football and setting up play-action, but that’s difficult to do when RB Todd Gurley isn’t getting many chances or having much success. On defense, the Rams have to slow down San Francisco’s running game. The 49ers love to run the ball regardless of who’s getting the carries.
Matchup to watch: 49ers TE George Kittle vs. Rams S John Johnson. Kittle is the 49ers’ biggest weapon on offense, but Johnson has the speed to take away plays down the field.
Who wins? Few people expected the Rams to be 3-2 at this point, but the defense simply hasn’t been up to par. With a long week to prepare for the 49ers, though, the Rams enter this game in good shape. They’re at home and relatively healthy, all things considered, and they’ve never lost three straight under coach Sean McVay.
Rams, 28-24 Rams
49ers schedule
W ... at Tampa Bay ... 31-17 W .... at Cincinnati .... 41-17 W ...... Pittsburgh ...... 24-20
BYE
W ........ Cleveland ........ 31-3 Oct. 13 . at L.A. Rams . 4:05 Oct. 20 .. at Washington .. 1 Oct. 27 ...... Carolina ...... 4:05 Oct. 31 ... at Arizona ... 8:20 Nov. 11 ...... Seattle ...... 8:15 Nov.17 ..... Arizona ..... 4:05 Nov. 24 ... Green Bay... 4:25 Dec. 1 ..... at Baltimore ..... 1 Dec. 8 .. at New Orleans .. 1 Dec. 15 ...... Atlanta ...... 4:25 Dec. 21 or 22 L.A. Rams TBD Dec. 29 ... at Seattle ... 4:25
Rams schedule
W ...... at Carolina ...... 30-27 W ..... New Orleans ..... 27-9 W .... at Cleveland .... 20-13 L ...... TampaBay ...... 55-40 L ....... at Seattle ....... 30-29 Oct. 13 San Francisco 4:05 Oct. 20 ...... at Atlanta ...... 1 Oct. 27 Cincinnati (Lon.) 1 Nov. 3 .............. BYE .............. Nov. 10 at Pittsburgh 4:25 Nov.17 .... Chicago .... 8:20 Nov. 25 ... Baltimore ... 8:15 Dec. 1 .... at Arizona .... 4:05 Dec.8 ...... Seattle ...... 8:20 Dec. 15 .... at Dallas .... 4:25 Dec. 21/22 ..... at SF ..... TBD Dec. 29 Arizona Rams 4:25