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Rams vs. 49ers: 5 Week 1 Matchups to Watch for San Francisco on Monday Night Football

By Peter Panacy

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November 11, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) blocks St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers and the Rams tied 24-24. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 11, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) blocks St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers and the Rams tied 24-24. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: RG Anthony Davis vs. DT Aaron Donald

Without doubt, the No. 1 standout on Los Angeles’ defense is All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Donald finished 2015 with 43 tackles and a team-leading 11 sacks en route to his second Pro Bowl in as many years. The former first-round pick from 2014 will line up frequently against another former first rounder, right guard Anthony Davis.

Davis has bumped inside from right tackle, thanks to the emergence of second-year pro Trent Brown.

And it’s a move 49ers head coach Chip Kelly is pleased with.

“We were happy with what AD did,” Kelly said of the transition, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN. “You know, first extended playing time in a game at guard. There’s some positives that I think we can build on with AD and you see that obviously there’s a really good football player there.”

The guard position typically requires a quicker reaction than tackle. So it will be interesting to see how Davis adjusts here against one of the premier pass-rushers in the NFL right now.

Next: RB Carlos Hyde vs. Rams Run Defense