San Francisco 49ers: 5 players to watch in Week 7 vs. Rams

The San Francisco 49ers host the undefeated Los Angeles Rams in Week 7, and Niner Noise previews this contest by looking at five players who’ll be key X-factors in the game.

The San Francisco 49ers were heavy underdogs on the road against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football in Week 6. Yet somehow, the Niners managed to hold a late fourth-quarter lead before falling in heartbreaking fashion 33-30.

Close. There aren’t any moral victories in the NFL, but that’s about as big a one for the 1-5 49ers as they prepare to host the undefeated Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium in Week 7.

Once again, the Niners are big-time underdogs to an opponent. This time, according to Odds Shark, San Francisco is a 9.5-point underdog to a L.A. squad boasting the No. 3 scoring offense in the league, which has gained more all-purpose yardage (2,786) than any other team in the NFL through six weeks.

Yeah, not a good matchup for the 49ers’ beleaguered defense.

Maybe, just maybe, the Niners manage to impress enough to be in position to pull off the upset this time. It’s a long shot, sure. But few likely predicted San Francisco would even be in the game against Green Bay last week, let alone having a realistic chance to win late.

For that to take place, the 49ers will have to get some significant contributions from key players on Sunday when these two teams square off.

Let’s look at five players, whose efforts will be essential to any sort of San Francisco upset in Week 7.