Rams vs. 49ers: Why Week 17 Matters for San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers play host to the visiting St. Louis Rams in Week 17 to wrap up the 2015 season. With both teams eliminated, why would a meaningless game have any sort of impact on the 49ers moving forward?

The San Francisco 49ers’ final game of the 2015 season will be a meaningless one, in terms of standings and playoff implications, versus the visiting St. Louis Rams at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

At 4-11, the 49ers have secured a last-place finish within the NFC West. San Francisco and the 7-8 Rams have also been eliminated from the postseason. This game is meaningless in nearly every sense of the word. Heck, the NFL even adjusted the television schedule for this game to ensure fans would see more games that actually meant something for the playoff picture.

So yes, this game doesn’t mean anything. Or does it?

Actually, Week 17 has more than enough implications for the Niners as they wrap up an utterly disappointing season. True, one game is merely just a small portion of the greater sample size — one that isn’t particularly good for San Francisco.

But the factors emanating from this final contest could easily carry over into a number of areas the 49ers will need to address this offseason.

And you’re only as good as your last performance, right?

Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Levi’s Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Implications for the Coaching Staff

First-year head coach Jim Tomsula hasn’t exactly had the type of year he would have liked, and it’s easy to suggest he is in way over his head handling a team that went through one of the most tumultuous offseasons in recent history nearly a year ago.

Who knows whether or not CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke elect to retain Tomsula beyond 2015. That’s a decision likely to be made shortly after the conclusion of the season.

“Yeah. I’m going to coach until somebody tells me I’m not,” Tomsula said Monday, via Chris Biderman of Scout.com, when asked about his future with the team. “I see people every day and we talk about, the biggest thing that I get asked is can we help? Is there anything we can do for you? Do you need anything?

“That’s what I get asked constantly. And quite frankly, from that end of it, they couldn’t give us any more than they’re giving us.”

Signs are pointing to Tomsula sticking around in 2016 though. CBS Sports’ Jay Feely spoke with 49ers COO Al Guido about this, and his assessment hints to the head coach staying put.

Here’s some of the report itself, courtesy of Guy Haberman of 95.7 The Game:

So if this is the case, and Tomsula stays, why would Week 17 matter?

Nothing would prompt a coaching change more than yet another discombobulated effort from Tomsula and Co. The 49ers want to see some positives upon which the team can build — the first half of the Niners’ Week 16 efforts in Detroit is a good example.

And the game also has implications for offensive coordinator Geep Chryst. He’s been under the microscope with the team’s offense ranking dead last in the NFL with just 219 points scored.

Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne (38) looks on during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Implications for Numerous Players

Week 17 will be a final shot for many of the 49ers players on the 53-man roster. Essentially, the game is crucial for everyone to finish on a positive note. Yet some have deeper concerns than others.

Let’s start with the most important position of all: quarterback.

Blaine Gabbert has all but assured he’ll be around next season and could likely be the team’s starter in 2016.

Gabbert owns an 86.1 passer rating on the season and enjoyed his best rating against the Lions last week (106.2). But he’s also coming off a 58.3 mark, along with three interceptions, in Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

He’ll want to finish the year on a positive note in order to ensure a promising role next season.

And what about running backs Jarryd Hayne and DuJuan Harris?

Hayne is certainly the more interesting of the two. Signed off the 49ers’ practice squad in advance of Week 16, Hayne was one of the team’s better stories during the preseason but fell out of favor before being demoted.

With fellow running back Shaun Draughn likely out for the final contest, Hayne will have one more chance to showcase to the 49ers he’s worth keeping around.

Harris seems less likely to be a part of San Francisco’s future plans, but a strong showing may convince another team to take a flier on him.

August 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

And what of some of the 49ers’ pending free agents? Nose tackle Ian Williams, wide receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie are just some of the free agents looking for a new deal in 2016. Finishing on a positive note will be imperative for this group.

A strong finish will also be key to other figures such as defensive end Tank Carradine and linebacker Eli Harold. What will their respective roles be next season?

Nov 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) breaks up a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Implications from the Game Itself

San Francisco no longer holds an elite status within the vaunted NFC West. That accolade has since disappeared, and the 49ers now find themselves wallowing at the bottom of the division.

Meanwhile, the Rams have clearly surpassed the Niners in terms of overall productivity and talent despite their own inconsistent season.

Add that to St. Louis’ impressive 23-17 road victory over the Seattle Seahawks last week, along with a three-game winning streak, and it’s safe to say head coach Jeff Fisher’s squad is doing what it can to finish the year on a positive note.

The 49ers aren’t going to be division contenders any time soon. That’s an unrealistic expectation at this point.

But the 49ers should be targeting their division rivals in an attempt to state they can, at least, compete with teams adequately enough next season.

St. Louis also has a problem on offense. Whereas the 49ers rank dead last in points, the Rams are No. 30 with 264. And their total yards over the season (4,399) are the lowest in the league and even behind the lowly 49ers in this same category (4,402).

Whoever wins the yardage battle this Sunday won’t have the unfortunate job of saying, “we gained the least in 2015.”

And it would also be nice for the 49ers to pick up at least one win against the rest of the division this season.

So is any of this even important?

More from Niner Noise

You bet it is.

San Francisco needs all the positives it can get heading into the offseason. The 49ers’ current three-game losing streak doesn’t bode well for anybody, let alone the fans in attendance and watching at home.

OK, so there may be a better draft position at stake for San Francisco if the team loses. But a victory would give the team something it has lacked for almost the entire season: confidence.

And that may be the biggest takeaway of all.

Next: 49ers: 5 Players to Build Around in 2016

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.