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4 ways 49ers can beat Rams and clinch a playoff berth

By Peter Panacy

Jordan Reed #81 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Troy Reeder #51 of the Los Angeles Rams (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
Jordan Reed #81 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Troy Reeder #51 of the Los Angeles Rams (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /
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Cooper Kupp, K'Waun Williams, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) in front of San Francisco 49ers defensive back K’Waun Williams (24) Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: 49ers must bottle up Rams WR Cooper Kupp

If the annual league MVP award wasn’t almost automatically given to quarterbacks, Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp should certainly be in the discussion.

What Kupp has done this year with Matt Stafford at the helm has been remarkable, and it’s not hard to see why he’s such a threat:

  • Receptions: 138 (first)
  • Receiving yards: 1,829 (first)
  • Receiving touchdowns: 15 (first)
  • Receiving first downs: 84 (first)
  • Receiving yards per game: 114.3 (first)
  • Yards from scrimmage: 1,829 (second)

Kupp managed 11 receptions for 122 yards, albeit with no touchdowns, against San Francisco earlier this season. But despite that output, the 49ers have nevertheless held him to an average of just 39.8 yards per game played, six in total over his career.

Related Story: 49ers have good history limiting Rams WR Cooper Kupp

That’s the kind of trend that’ll need to continue, as Kupp is easily one of Los Angeles’ players who can take over the game.

With the 49ers’ defensive backfield being a prime worry point, it’s easy to see why this particular matchup is one of the utmost importance in Week 18.