Ranking the 49ers’ 5 most exciting games on 2019 NFL schedule

Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Week 16 vs. Los Angeles Rams

So much of the first exciting game on this year’s calendar hinges on where the 49ers are late in the season.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

By Week 16, fans will have a pretty good idea whether or not the Niners are in the playoff picture, meaning a home bout against the NFC defending champions, the Los Angeles Rams, should be pretty intriguing.

It helps there’s a nice little rivalry brewing between Kyle Shanahan and Rams head coach Sean McVay, too.

L.A. dropped a combined 87 points against San Francisco in a 2018 season sweep, which will be something Shanahan and Co. want to address this year. An improved Niners defense should help the 49ers’ cause here, as well as the always-worrisome Super Bowl “hangover” the Rams could possibly endure.

That said, the Rams still have vastly more talent on both sides of the ball and are in perfect position to retain their hold on the NFC West this season.

But if San Francisco is gunning for a playoff berth, Shanahan’s squad could have a lot more on the line and play with a bit more vigor than what was seen to close out the 2018 regular-season calendar, making this a contest to watch.