With the 49ers riding high after a 30-7 Week 1 rout of the Steelers, keep in mind these storylines as they look to keep the momentum going in Week 2 against the Rams.
Slow starts on Opening Day have been a recurring feature of the San Francisco 49ers under head coach Kyle Shanahan, but the Niners had a welcome deviation from this norm after their 30-7 demolition on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Without going too much into the game, given we've all seen the highlights 100 times over (and why wouldn't we?), it was the perfect start to the season that has 49ers fans really excited and San Francisco on the top of virtually every Power Ranking across the internet.
Read More: Damn right, 49ers should be No. 1 in Week 2 NFL power rankings
With excitement high, keep an eye on these storylines for the 49ers as they look to keep the positive momentum going against archrivals, the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Storyline No 1: What will Brock Purdy do in Week 2?
Last week was quarterback Brock Purdy's first game as the starter after being handed the keys to the franchise, and he picked up where he left off going 19-of-29 passing for 220 yards and two touchdown passes to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Purdy thoroughly dissected the Steelers defense and the stats could have been even better, but San Francisco had the game in hand for the second half which meant that he didn't have to pass the ball very much.
Purdy looks fit and 100%, so it'll be interesting to see if he's forced to throw more or play from behind against a Rams outfit that dismantled the Seattle Seahawks. Will his chemistry with Aiyuk continue, or will another player get the bulk of the targets?
Stay tuned.
Storyline No. 2: How will Jake Moody fare in his second game?
Kicker Jake Moody has a lot of pressure heaped on him this season, which goes without saying to say the least.
Not only is the rookie kicker taking over for one of the best kickers in 49ers history in Robbie Gould, but he's one of the few kickers taken on the second day on the draft when San Francisco took him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Coupled with some shaky preseason performances as well as an injury that had his Week 1 status in doubt, it was understandable that some 49ers fans were apprehensive coming into Week 1.
They needn't have worried.
Moody didn't handle kickoff duties to give him a lighter workload, but he was perfect on all his kicks and didn't look like missing despite being in a hostile environment.
Moving onto Week 2, it'll be worth noting to see how Moody kicks and if he also handles kickoff duties. As a rookie kicker he's undoubtedly going to have the odd struggle, but he's looked pretty good so far.
Storyline No. 3: Can Drake Jackson back up his breakout game?
While all the headlines before the game were on EDGE Nick Bosa and his return to the team following his contract extension, it was the man bookending the other end of the defensive line that got the attention afterward as second-year EDGE Drake Jackson had his potential breakout game with three sacks.
With a star-studded defensive line headlining a star-studded defense, Jackson was the one unknown as he flashed some potential but ended up being a healthy scratch. Summer in an NFL strength and conditioning program looks to have agreed with him, however, given he equaled his entire 2022 sack total in one game.
The 49ers have always been a believer in recent years in a stout defensive line handling the pass-rushing so the other seven defenders can go back into coverage, but never could quite get four elite pass-rushers at the same time after former EDGE Dee Ford simply could not get healthy.
Jackson will always have the advantage of Bosa taking the majority of attention from opposing offenses and will have favorable matchups throughout the year. He doesn't need to be a superstar, but getting anything close to or over 10 sacks for the season would be a very healthy return that gives the pass rush an added boost.
All eyes will be on Jackson against the Rams, and whether or not he can show Week 1 isn't a fluke. If he makes big strides in his second season, the 49ers could have the most potent defensive line in the Kyle Shanahan era.
Storyline No. 4: Can Colton McKivitz produce a better game at right tackle in Week 2?
One of the few down points in Week 1 was the performance of Colton McKivitz at right tackle, as feared Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt terrorized him on the way to three sacks (the only sacks of the afternoon for the Steelers).
Now in full fairness to McKivitz and the fact he was playing his first meaningful game as a starter, Watt is one of the worst players to have that game against and plenty of more experienced tackles have lowered their colors to Watt.
Fortunately for McKivitz, he has a chance to have a better Week 2 as the Rams don't possess the potent EDGE rushers that might give him some trouble. Experience is the best way to get better, and it won't be nearly as much as a baptism of fire.
49ers fans have reason to be nervous however, as poor blocking was what caused Purdy to injure his elbow in the NFC Championship game (albeit a tight end had that assignment, not a tackle), so strong protection is essential if the team is to get to the Super Bowl. Some blocking help for McKivitz wouldn't go astray either, as he had very little help when it came to playcalling as he was often left in 1v1 situations.
Hopefully for McKivitz, Week 2 goes a lot smoother for the young tackle as he looks to lock down the role for the long term.