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Rams vs. 49ers: 5 Week 1 Bold Predictions for San Francisco

By Peter Panacy

November 2, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs against St. Louis Rams free safety Rodney McLeod (23) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Rams defeated the 49ers 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 2, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs against St. Louis Rams free safety Rodney McLeod (23) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Rams defeated the 49ers 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) gets sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Tank Carradine (95) in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) gets sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Tank Carradine (95) in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: EDGE Tank Carradine Records Two Sacks

Moving former defensive end Tank Carradine to the EDGE spot was the best thing to happen to the former Florida State pass-rusher’s pro career.

Carradine was among the best pass-rushers in the NFL this preseason, according to Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus. And Carradine was executing some of his best work without the first-team defensive line unit.

True, he wasn’t going up against first-team units either. But here is where Carradine will earn his stripes on pass-rushing situations for the Niners defense.

San Francisco’s defensive front will be featuring defensive end Arik Armstead, who was limited in the preseason with a shoulder injury. Armstead is a pocket-wrecking force. So the 6-foot-7 bookend’s presence should open up lanes in which Carradine can have a relatively easy route to Rams quarterback Case Keenum.

And we haven’t even mentioned rookie DE DeForest Buckner. Just pair him alongside Armstead.

All this is good news for Carradine, who should easily post a few quarterback pressures if he doesn’t reach this bold prediction.

Next: 49ers Hold Todd Gurley to Under 100 Yards