Niner Noise
FanSided

Top-5 Takeaways from 49ers Win Versus the Rams

By James LeBreton

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Andrew Tiller (61) looks on from the sideline during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Andrew Tiller (61) looks on from the sideline during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Offensive Line Continues to Dominate

After a season of abysmal run blocking and horrible pass protection, the 49ers first order of business was to strengthen the offensive line.

One of the first moves made was to bring in free agent guard Zane Beadles. Most fans didn’t realize just how significant that move was. Then came the drafting of former Stanford Cardinal Joshua Garnett.

Mix in the continued faith put in tackle Trent Brown, a fully healthy Daniel Kilgore and the offensive front is now the strongest functional part of the team.

On Monday night against the Rams, the 49ers running game was unstoppable. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert had all the time in the world to check his receivers and make sensible throws. And when there wasn’t a throw to be made, he was provided with a secret-service-like protection to run the ball.

In other words, the offensive line made all things possible when it came time to move the chains.

The offense was so dominant that, with a few minutes left in the game, Gabbert was given the rest of the night off and Colin Kaepernick was brought into the game.

How’s that for a switch?

Next: The Pass Rush is for Real