San Francisco 49ers: First-take regular-season schedule predictions for 2018
By Peter Panacy
Week 7 vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday Night Football)
The 49ers and Los Angeles Rams’ rivalry is back on, especially after L.A.’s meteoric rise under first-year head coach Sean McVay in 2017.
And while San Francisco’s upward trajectory wasn’t quite as sharp, both teams appear to be the pinnacle of the dramatically shifted NFC West, and this could be the league’s best storyline for the next few seasons.
Perhaps longer.
Related Story: 49ers & Rams' renewed rivalry will be NFL's biggest storyline in 2018
The Rams are in win-now mode, especially with quarterback Jared Goff still on his rookie contract. All L.A. did this offseason was stockpile talent, landing All-Pro cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, while dishing out a one-year deal for standout defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh following his release from the Miami Dolphins. He’ll line up next to arguably the top interior defender in the league, Aaron Donald.
Scary.
Speedy wide receiver Brandin Cooks is now out west. Tack on running back Todd Gurley, whose 2017 campaign was worthy enough for an NFL MVP award, and you have a powerhouse in the making.
Being a prime-time game at home, though, let’s give San Francisco the slight edge here in what could prove to be a thriller on Sunday Night Football.