In about a week, the San Francisco 49ers will face off against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL's first-ever game in Australia. The red and gold head into the matchup as convincing underdogs, but given Kyle Shanahan's successful history against Sean McVay, there is no telling what the contest in Melbourne will hold.
Quarterback Brock Purdy looks primed for a breakout year. Armed with formidable weapons, he and his crew eye another Super Bowl appearance. In Week 1, however, he may find a tough go of it - not because of his efforts, but because of a glaring hole the 49ers have refused to fix.
Throughout the preseason, San Francisco has shown off their impressive offensive line. They have looked flawless... almost. While the trenches look mostly fortified, the left guard position remains a mystery. Connor Colby is the projected starter, and, needless to say, he immediately looks like the weak link.
The latest ratings of each team's offensive linemen are telling. Every San Francisco lineman carries a 5.8 rating or higher except Colby, who has a 2.9 rating.
49ers' O-line hole may be Brock Purdy's undoing against Rams
While the hope is that the rest of the team's linemen can cover the gaping hole at guard, it may not be enough against a revamped Los Angeles pass rush.
Both Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald are elite defenders who have registered at least 20 sacks in a single season. Garrett, though age 30, is coming off a season in which he sacked the quarterback 23 times. Though Donald spent the last two years on the couch, he is still a dominant force who possesses elite football IQ.
Not to mention linebacker Byron Young, the Rams' sacks leader last year, still lurks behind the intimidating front seven.
The defense has all the makings of a historic quarterback-stopping unit. The 49ers, as prolific as their offensive front might be, can't afford to go into Week 1 with a weak link. In doing so, they risk exposing their franchise QB to the wrath of some of the most prolific pass rushers the game has ever seen.
Fans can only hope that Colby outplays his preseason assessments. If he fails to do his job, Purdy could be in for a long day, with no time to throw. He wouldn’t be to blame, either, even if the 49ers fail to produce respectable offensive numbers. If he holds onto the ball for a fraction too long, he could risk severe punishment from a collection of Los Angeles bruisers.
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