Previewing Each Game on the San Francisco 49ers 2016 Schedule
By Peter Panacy
Week 16 at Los Angeles Rams
Saturday, December 24 at 4:25 p.m. ET
By this point in the season, the 49ers may very well be facing off against No. 1 overall draft pick Jared Goff as he looks to take the reins under center for the Rams.
Goff and running back Todd Gurley will be the offensive figureheads for a Los Angeles team looking to make a splash their first season back in Southern California, and all eyes will be on this renewed regional rivalry.
It’s still hard to get behind any sort of Rams success though, even though head coach Jeff Fisher (h/t Jack Dickey of Sports Illustrated) thinks 2016 will be different:
Jeff Fisher on HARD KNOCKS: "I'm not f---ing going 7-9 or 8-8 or 9-7.” Jeff Fisher’s coaching record since 2008: pic.twitter.com/nNJaCfgGmI
— Jack Dickey (@jackdickey) August 10, 2016
Perhaps the Rams have ironed out some of their offensive kinks by this point in the year, but it’s hard to see how.
Why the 49ers Win
San Francisco will still have to overcome Los Angeles’ defense, which will probably be about as good as it has been in recent years.
That’s going to be the story for L.A. anyway — how far can this unit take them, and how will offensive contributors like Goff and Gurley help out? If the 49ers can limit what the Rams will try to do on offense, the Niners will be in good shape.
Look for San Francisco to try and make this a wear-down, physical matchup in the trenches — something similar to what the 49ers used to do not too many years ago.
Why the 49ers Lose
Los Angeles’ defense is simply too much to handle, and pressure from guys like defensive tackle Aaron Donald force the Niners into making too many mistakes.
A turnover or two spells disaster for the 49ers offense, and the Rams are able to manage enough offensive prowess to keep one score ahead of whatever the Niners are trying to do.
Next: Week 17 vs. Seattle Seahawks