5 X-factors that determine if 49ers beat Rams to make Super Bowl

X-Factor No. 2: 49ers need Deebo Samuel to take over the game

San Francisco’s defense has been excellent during its playoff run these last two weeks, but none of that would have mattered if wide receiver Deebo Samuel, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s multipurpose weapon, didn’t make an impact in nearly every facet on both offense and even special teams.

Samuel has been awesome in his six career games against LA, amassing 440 receiving yards and 104 rushing yards, highest against any opponent, to go along with five net touchdowns. In Week 18 alone, Samuel netted 95 yards through the air and another 45 on the ground, even passing for a touchdown to fellow wideout Jauan Jennings.

Simply put, Samuel can do it all.

But the bigger X-factor here is Los Angeles has been vulnerable giving up yards after the catch. It’s 2,471 YAC allowed during the regular season was third highest in the league, and Samuel alone had 779 yards after the catch in 2021, second only to the Rams’ All-Pro wide receiver, Cooper Kupp (846).

There’s no reason to change any of this now. LA is vulnerable to allowing YAC, and Samuel is terrific at generating YAC.

That’ll have to be an X-factor of which the 49ers take full advantage.