Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers schedule: Forecasting the final 4 games of 2018 NFL season

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes for a touchdown as Cory Littleton #58 and Bryce Hager #54 of the Los Angeles Rams defend during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes for a touchdown as Cory Littleton #58 and Bryce Hager #54 of the Los Angeles Rams defend during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Bryce Hager #54 of the Los Angeles Rams forces Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers to fumble during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Bryce Hager #54 of the Los Angeles Rams forces Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers to fumble during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Week 17 @ Los Angeles Rams

Earlier this season, it wouldn’t have been a bad idea to project a 49ers victory on the road against the now-11-1 Los Angeles Rams. After all, with just one loss to their credit, the Rams would have seemed poised to rest their starters in Week 17 in preparation for another playoff run, not unlike what head coach Sean McVay did this same week against the Niners a year ago.

More from Niner Noise

But the context is slightly different this year. The Rams are poised to secure a first-round bye in the postseason, which might tempt McVay to at least give his A-team a number of drives to keep them fresh. Remember, it’s the “rest versus rust” argument that applies here.

Second, and more importantly, the 10-2 New Orleans Saints are sitting in that No. 2 playoff seed and looking right over L.A.’s collective shoulder. If the Rams lose a game and the Saints win out, New Orleans clinches the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Remember, the Saints beat out the Rams back in Week 9, and head-to-head matchups matter in determining tiebreakers.

A lot could happen between now and Week 17, of course. But one shouldn’t bank on McVay resting his starters when the 49ers come to town to close out the regular season.

If he doesn’t, the Niners will be forced to defend against the league’s second best scoring offense and easily the best running back in the NFL, Todd Gurley. While the Rams do have some defensive question marks, overshadowed by their potency on offense, it certainly isn’t likely San Francisco has enough tools to overcome the challenges L.A. brings here.

Next. 4 Niners who need to see more snaps vs. Broncos. dark

Either way, if you’re looking for the Niners to pull off another win this season, don’t get your hopes up. In nearly every facet, the 49ers’ remaining four opponents are superior to anything head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. can field right now.