4 players the 49ers need to step up in NFC West bout vs. Rams

49ers EDGE Nick Bosa

The Rams game isn't all about the offensive side of the ball, however.

Defensive end Nick Bosa has started the season off pretty well, with two sacks, seven tackles (including two for loss), and an additional four quarterback hits through the first two weeks of the campaign.

But the Rams are depleted along their offensive line with Joe Noteboom and Jonah Jackson out as of this week, and Steve Avila and Conor McDermott already on the IR.

This means the Rams and quarterback Matt Stafford will be leaning on largely untested players to protect and open holes for their running backs, a rushing attack that is 31st in the NFL so far with just 136 total yards through two weeks, which is less than Jordan Mason's output in Week 1.

With the line weakened and Stafford's receiver corps missing its two key cogs, the 49ers pass rush will need to dominate the Rams' offensive line, and Bosa will need to step up and lead the charge.

As Bosa goes, so will the rest of the line, so look for big games from fellow EDGE Leonard Floyd along with interior defensive lineman Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins as well.

But this feels like a game where Bosa can wreak some havoc and he'll need to do so for the 49ers to be successful Sunday.

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