49ers vs. Rams: Niners who must bring their A-game on Monday night

No. 1: 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel

San Francisco has yet to have one of its offensive players effectively “take over a game” this season, yet one player who is always prone to do so is All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

Samuel has gotten off to a good, not great start to 2022, a reflection of the 49ers’ overall offensive struggles on the year. To date, Samuel does have 242 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown, but when one adds his two fumbles and his career-low 8.3 yards per touch so far, it’s fair to expect a little more.

Luckily, Samuel has enjoyed some exceptional success against the 49ers’ NFC West rivals over the years.

In six regular-season contests, Samuel has mustered 33 receptions for 440 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 104 yards and three more touchdowns on the ground, all figures being the most against any one single opponent.

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Not counting the Niners’ loss to the Rams in the NFC Championship game last February, San Francisco has gone a perfect 6-0 in those games where Samuel has been present.

However he’s deployed, whether it’s as a receiving/yards-after-the-catch threat or as a unique rusher on the ground, the 49ers would love nothing more than to have Samuel completely take over Monday Night Football.

The Niners and Rams square off against each other on Monday, Oct. 3 at 8:15 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium.