5 key stats that define 49ers smashing win over Rams
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers offensive line mostly kept Jimmy Garoppolo upright
Considering the 49ers were forced to start rookie swing tackle Jaylon Moore in the place of injured right tackle Mike McGlinchey, and right guard Daniel Brunskill is widely viewed as the Niners’ weakest link in this unit, it would have been fair to assume San Francisco’s offensive line would have had a rough, rough night going up against Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald and newly acquired future Hall of Fame EDGE Von Miller.
And that should have been even bigger a concern when Moore had to exit with a knee injury, forcing the underperforming veteran, Tom Compton, in at right tackle for the second half.
Compton surrendered a sack on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, yes. But that was all the 49ers gave up.
Garoppolo’s lone sack was the exception, and he also took only one hit in the game, both O-line infractions coming at the benefit of Los Angeles safety Taylor Rapp.
Not Donald nor Miller.
Donald and Miller were still impactful, yes. But neither was able to bring down Garoppolo in what needed to be a true X-factor working in the Niners’ favor.
Luckily enough, the O-line held up in pass protection.