NFC West: How Good Is the 49ers’ Own Division in 2016?
By Peter Panacy
Los Angeles Rams
Offensive Points: 9 (No. 32)
Offensive Yards: 468 (No. 32)
Defensive Points Allowed: 31 (No. 7)
Defensive Yards Allowed: 626 (No. 10)
Are the Rams really that bad, offensively, or have they had the misfortune of facing off against two good defenses (we’ll get to whether or not the 49ers have a good D)?
Outside of running back Todd Gurley, we have to go with the former.
Yes, Los Angeles seems like it’s going to stink it up on offense as it did for much of last season. And the calls for rookie quarterback Jared Goff will continue to rise until, well, he starts.
Maybe Goff is the elixir this team needs. Perhaps he’s not. Or maybe it’s head coach Jeff Fisher, who hasn’t had a winning season at the helm since 2008.
Like last year, the Rams will go as far as their defense will take them. Gurley too, although he’s yet to crest the 100-yard mark this season. And that’s not a per-game average. We’re talking net yards total.
Los Angeles’ front-seven defense finally came alive in Week 2 and chewed up Seattle’s offensive line. So the Rams get some points there.
Still, 2016 probably isn’t going to be the winning season for which Fisher hoped.
Next: San Francisco 49ers