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5 questions 49ers must answer for Week 6 vs. Rams

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Blake Countess #24 of the Los Angeles Rams chases George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers on a short pass play 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: Blake Countess #24 of the Los Angeles Rams chases George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers on a short pass play 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) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks a 47-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks a 47-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

No. 1: How to Fix the 49ers’ Special Teams?

During many of the down years, the 49ers’ special teams unit typically was one of the more reliable of its kind over any given stretch of any season.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Not so in 2019.

This was made apparent against Cleveland, when always-reliable veteran kicker Robbie Gould uncharacteristically missed three of his four field-goal tries. Granted, one was blocked. But the other two misses, combined with two earlier ones, means Gould is now converting at a 58.3-percent rate on the season — fourth worst among qualifiers.

Kyle Shanahan told reporters following Monday’s game the long-snapping efforts were botched on one snap, so look for that to be potentially addressed ahead of Week 6. Perhaps the Niners call back Colin Holba, who was let go earlier this season, to hold the line until the still-suspended Kyle Nelson returns.

Either way, the misses are concerning.

Especially considering the 49ers will be on the road for this contest, and one could easily figure the Rams won’t be trailing by three or more scores heading into the fourth quarter.

Sunday’s game could be decided by a last-second field goal easily, meaning Gould and San Francisco’s special teams need to be on point.

Next. 49ers position grades, analysis from Week 5 win vs. Browns. dark

The 49ers and Rams kick off on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 4:05 p.m. ET from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.