The Los Angeles Rams are set to face the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night, kicking off what should be one of the league's best games this season. If the Rams are to leave Melbourne with a win, here are five keys to taking down the Niners.
Work Nick Bosa into obscurity
Bosa is set to play and is without a doubt the 49ers' best pass rusher. The 49ers also made one of the most underrated roster moves of the offseason, adding defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who will play a big role in helping them control the line of scrimmage.
This game will be a matchup of attrition as much as it is skill, with the 49ers not having the talent in reserves to maintain an effective pass rush through four quarters. Work Bosa throughout the game; make him pick himself up off the ground repeatedly,
so when the fourth quarter comes around, San Francisco will lack the killer edge needed to pressure Matthew Stafford.
Utilize Jaylen Watson to negate Mike Evans
Let's not make things complicated. Watson is the Rams' best corner to defend against taller, more physical wide receivers like Evans. The 49ers may try to do things like run Watson's way to try and shake the newly acquired corner, but they will go to Evans at some point.
The 49ers will also try to use Watson to scheme up a tight end against an outside corner, especially with their 12 personnel offense. Do not fall for the trap and move Watson off Evans. Everything the 49ers will do will be built on creating mismatches. Quentin Lake and Tank McCollough can handle tight ends. Even if they struggle early, they'll figure it out, but the biggest mistake the Rams can make defensively is to have anyone but Watson guarding Evans. The moment that happens, the 49ers will target Evans, and they might go fast tempo to prevent substitutions.
If Watson is on Evans, the 49ers will have to play small ball, leading into the next key.
Trent McDuffie should eliminate the short passing attack
Expect to see McDuffie on the field a lot, especially as a slot corner. The 49ers have used Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne to torch the Rams in 2024 and 2025 by taking advantage of their lack of ability to close space underneath.
If McDuffie is on the inside and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. – who should've played more in the Rams' loss to the 49ers last season – is also out there, they will negate the window underneath, thus also closing the gap that often opens over the top as a result.
McDuffie's natural read of the game should negate the Kyle Shanahan scheme, especially if the Rams can force second-and-long situations. Eliminate short passes, and the 49ers will quickly find themselves behind the chains.
Use 13 personnel in short-yardage situations
The Rams attempted a fourth-down run in overtime down three points against the 49ers last season, with the schematic set-up of Puka Nacua and Jordan Whittington behind lead blockers against linebackers and defensive linemen. All-Pro Fred Warner was the free man for Kyren Williams to avoid.
It didn't work. It wasn't even close. Fast forward to the Rams-49ers rematch, and their 13 personnel offense trampled an injury-riddled 49ers team. The Rams finally have the weight to establish a somewhat effective short-yardage rushing attack with 13 personnel.
Don't screw up something simple. If the team needs short yards, get the tight end on the field. Not only will they have the strength and size to move the chains, but the 49ers will be susceptible to play action. Remember, it's Raheem Morris on the other sideline. He knows the Rams inside and out. There's no need for exotic play calls that Morris will snuff out with ease. Simple X's and O's, letting Jimmy handle the Joes.
Kyren Williams will be the difference downfield
Williams has secretly been one of the better receiving backs in the NFL, as he can turn it on at any point. His downfield receiving helped the Rams tie the game against the 49ers after his goal-line fumble, and he drove them into a winning position in overtime in their 2025 home loss.
What his performance also revealed was that his ability as a pass catcher was an answer to lingering red zone issues, with Williams scoring two in the air during that contest. Morris knows every move McVay has, except for passing attacks predicated on the running back. That should be the difference.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' 5 keys to victory against the 49ers in Week 1
