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Rams vs. 49ers: 3 San Francisco players to watch on Thursday Night Football

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 12, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 12, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner

The 49ers defense has notably improved since last season, and one of the key reasons has been the emergence of second-year defensive end DeForest Buckner.

In Week 2, Buckner had nine quarterback pressures and four hits against the Seahawks, earning a pass-rush productivity grade of 17.3, according to Pro Football Focus:

Overall on the season, Buckner’s PFF grade is 88.4 — ranking fifth among all interior defenders through two weeks.

That’s pretty good. And Buckner should have a chance to keep his stride going against Rams left guard Rodger Saffold, who owns an overall PFF grade of 56.2 and a pass-blocking grade of 43.2.

This is a matchup Buckner should be able to win, and the interior pass rush might be an aspect in which San Francisco has to exploit to keep Rams second-year quarterback Jared Goff off balance.