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

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers is stopped short of the goal line by Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers is stopped short of the goal line by Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Linebacker Fred Warner #48 of the San Francisco 49ers defends running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Linebacker Fred Warner #48 of the San Francisco 49ers defends running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Linebacker Fred Warner

Here’s a good matchup to watch on Sunday — 49ers linebacker Fred Warner versus Rams running back Todd Gurley. The promising rookie going up against an MVP candidate.

Gurley is pickup up this season where he left off in 2017, boasting 623 rush yards on 129 attempts for nine touchdowns — all league highs. And to add to his already stellar accolades this year, Gurley has 21 receptions for 247 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

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All told, Gurley leads the NFL in all-purpose yards (870) and total touchdowns (11).

Go get him, Warner.

Warner’s primary responsibility at middle (MIKE) linebacker is to guard effectively against both the pass and run. His pass-coverage skills in college, which was a primary reason San Francisco grabbed him in this year’s NFL Draft, will certainly be tested by Gurley’s ability to act as a receiving option out of the backfield.

But that MIKE responsibility to limit damage on the ground will be just as critical.

If there’s a concern here, it’s in the missed-tackle department. Per Pro Football Focus, Warner leads the Niners defense in missed tackles with five. He wasn’t victimized in this category last week in Green Bay, so one can hope this is a sign of things to come as he adjusts to life at the pro level.

Still, Gurley isn’t exactly an easy assignment.

The 49ers and Rams kick off on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 4:25 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

Next. Creating the 49ers' ideal starting lineup for 2019. dark

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