Niner Noise
FanSided

Finding the wins on 49ers’ remaining 2017 schedule

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 01: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Chris Harper #14 of the San Francisco 49ers on January 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 01: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Chris Harper #14 of the San Francisco 49ers on January 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 24: Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams communicates at the line of scrimmage during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 24: Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams communicates at the line of scrimmage during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Week 17 @ Los Angeles Rams

Opponent’s Record: 6-2

At 6-2 heading into Week 10, the Los Angeles Rams are clearly one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season. Head coach Sean McVay has done more than a tremendous job turning this perennial underachieving team into a true contender. And second-year quarterback Jared Goff is finally living up to his first-overall-pick status.

Goff is at the helm of the league’s best scoring offense (263 points), but an equally big part of the offensive equation has been third-year running back Todd Gurley.

When these two teams met in Week 3 on Thursday Night Football, Gurley ripped off 113 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, combined with another 36 yards through the air and another end-zone score.

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Meanwhile, the Niners have given up more rushing yards than any other team in the league this season (1,221). While the average yards per carry against San Francisco is down from last season (3.9 yards from 4.8), opponents are still having success imposing their will on the ground and chewing up clock in the process.

The 49ers’ luck of beating up on Rams teams of the past has evaporated. The only real way the Niners win is if McVay elects to sit his starters after having locked up all he can in the playoff picture.

But until that actually happens, there’s no way the Niners pull off a win to end their season.

Prediction: 49ers 21, Rams 35

Next: Identifying 10 cornerstone players for the 49ers in 2018

So there you have it. The 49ers manage two wins the rest of the season — at home against the Giants and Titans — wrapping up this 2017 campaign with a 2-14 finish and likely a top-three pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

See something different? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below.