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Rams vs. 49ers: 5 Reasons San Francisco Wins in Week 1

By Peter Panacy

January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) is congratulated after kicking the game-winning field goal during overtime against the St. Louis Rams at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) is congratulated after kicking the game-winning field goal during overtime against the St. Louis Rams at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) passes the football against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) passes the football against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: The Rams Inept Offense

OK, so the Rams have star running back Todd Gurley carrying the ball.

But he’ll have to do almost everything if Los Angeles expects to put together any sort of offensive rhythm.

Keep this in mind, Case Keenum beat out No. 1 overall draft pick Jared Goff for the starting quarterback role. Keenum posted a better-than 90.0 passer rating just once in 2015 (Week 14 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and has a lackluster 77.1 career passer rating on the road.

No one on the Rams posted more than 700 receiving yards last season. And if you thought the Niners offense was bad a year ago — it was — Los Angeles’ was nearly identical.

The Rams finished 2015 No. 29 overall in points scored (280) and dead last in total yards gained (4,761).

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert isn’t a vast improvement over Keenum. And neither is the San Francisco receiver corps.

But in this sort of contest, we have to give an edge to the home team.

Even if both teams’ offensive output isn’t worthy of a clinic.

Next: Questionable Rams Secondary