Niner Noise
FanSided

5 bold predictions for the 49ers, the NFC West in 2019

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 30: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 and San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Elijah Lee #47 tackle Los Angeles Rams running back C.J. Anderson #35 during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 30: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 and San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Elijah Lee #47 tackle Los Angeles Rams running back C.J. Anderson #35 during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 02: Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams talks to head coach Sean McVay during the first half at Ford Field on December 2, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 02: Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams talks to head coach Sean McVay during the first half at Ford Field on December 2, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Rams Fail to Make the Playoffs

Raise your hand if you thought Super Bowl LIII was particularly exciting. Anyone? Anyone?

Thought so.

For all the firepower the Rams had last season, the New England Patriots figured out how to take it away. Other teams will try to take note, but a big part of it hinged on not biting on L.A.’s play-action attempts.

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Want to understand the difference? Rams quarterback Jared Goff had a 113.0 passer rating using play action, compared to 87.1 without it, according to Pro Football Focus. Take away the effectiveness of play action, and Goff struggles.

In fact, the Rams could wholly struggle in the wake of their embarrassing 13-3 loss to the Pats. The team lost a lot of talent during the offseason, including safety Lamarcus Joyner, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, offensive guard Rodger Saffold and also has a banged-up running back in Todd Gurley, who’ll no longer be the linchpin bell cow he once was.

Few probably expect the Rams to go 13-3, or better, in 2019. Odds Shark predicts this, giving the team an over-under mark of 10.5 wins this year.

In this prediction, it’s clearly the latter. And one which includes L.A. missing the playoffs entirely.

The Rams are going to have to deal with the high turnover from their all-in season a year ago, while also trying to avoid the proverbial “Super Bowl hangover.” While the Rams still may be in play for a strong run in, let’s say 2020, look for this year to be a disappointment.