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Rams vs 49ers: Previewing Week 1 for San Francisco

By James LeBreton

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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Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs the ball for a first down in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs the ball for a first down in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Back Comparison

San Francisco running back Carlos Hyde has stated that he wants to be an every-down back.

Lucky for him, that’s exactly what the 49ers need.

Chip Kelly has zero reservations his No. 1 guy can do just that. After two seasons of play that were cut short by splitting time and a fractured foot, Hyde is set to break out. And his mind is set on a 1,500 yard season.

His hard-nosed running style is just what the team needs to compliment their big, athletic offensive line. However, one thing he must do is limit the amount of head-on hits he takes if he wants to make it through 16 games this season.

Hyde needs to take control of the game and lead his team to victory, as he did in Week 1 last year against the Minnesota Vikings. He ran for 168 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 20-3 win for San Francisco.

Los Angeles running back Todd Gurley has only faced the 49ers once. He rushed for 133 yards on 20 attempts and scored one touchdown in a 27-6 victory.

On Monday night he’ll look to pick up where he left off. As a Ram, he joins an elite group of running backs in Eric Dickerson and Marshall Faulk. Though the franchise invested heavily in quarterback Jared Goff, Gurley is the future of the Rams.

It doesn’t matter if quarterback Case Keenum takes the snaps or Goff does, this offense will primarily be focused on the play of the running back.

After suffering an ACL tear in college, Gurley rebounded in 2016, leading all rookie running backs with 1,106 rushing yards and celebrated Rookie of the Year honors.

Next: 49ers Injury News