49ers will sweep season series vs. Rams if they win these matchups
By Peter Panacy
49ers vs. Rams matchup No. 3: Jimmie Ward vs. Cooper Kupp
Los Angeles’ No. 1 offensive weapon, All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp, had himself a statistically great game the last time his team squared off against San Francisco, hauling in 14 catches for 122 yards.
In an odd way, none of those stats mattered.
The 49ers were effectively able to limit the damage Kupp did, relegating the numbers to insignificance.
The Rams have few other pass-catching weapons close to Kupp’s prowess, meaning he can again be the primary focal point of the Niners’ secondary. And even if he does put together another big game, statistically, San Francisco merely wants to limit the damage.
In something of an odd wrinkle, the 49ers have moved safety Jimmie Ward to nickel cornerback. And while that might be a strange move, Ward will likely have to deal with Kupp aplenty on Sunday in one-on-one coverage.
As was the case in Week 4, merely keeping Kupp out of the end zone might be a massive win for the Niners here.
Even if Ward is better poised as a free safety.