Turf Show Times
The Los Angeles Rams (6-2) are set to travel to the San Francisco 49ers (6-3) on Sunday afternoon; an important game surrounding the NFC West and top-seeds with the NFC Conference. When these two teams played in Week 5, the 49ers jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead; catching the Rams on their heels. LA was able to get back into the game but costly mistakes at the running back position and special teams left McVay and Co. expressionless after the final whistle.
A few factors have changed since October, including the loss of Fred Warner for the 49ers defense. But the biggest change could be who the 49ers start at quarterback: Brock Purdy or Mac Jones? Here’s a look at the each position for both teams and which team holds the edge.
QB Breakdown: If Stafford plays to the same caliber that he has up to this point, I will move him up to the “Elite” ranking for Week 11. Stafford is having the best season of his career and truly in the driver’s seat for MVP (who cares what everyone else thinks). Sean McVay will atone for his Week 5 mistake; putting the ball in his quarterback’s hands when the offense needs to convert in pivotal spots.
Kyle Shanahan has a tough choice to make with either starting Mac Jones (5-2) or Brock Purdy (1-1) who also led the 2023 team to the Super Bowl. My guess is that Mac Jones gets one more start having already faced this Rams team before.
RBs Breakdown: Kyren Williams & Blake Corum ran 38 times for 172 yards last week against the New Orleans Saints. It was easily their best statistical output of the season. If LA wants to guarantee a win against their rivals; rushing for identical numbers against Robert Saleh’s defense would make it happen. I would expect that Kyren Williams will come out playing extremely physical to atone for his goal line fumble at the end of regulation.
Christian McCaffrey has been feast or famine in 2025. Against the Falcons and Giants he dominated. But those defenses rank 23rd and 31st against the run respectively. Against the Seahawks (2nd), Saints (24th), Cardinals (12th), Jaguars (3rd), Rams (11th), Buccaneers (7th), and Texans (6th), he has averaged 51.5 rushing yards. Where he makes up for his lack of rushing volume has been in the short passing game. McCaffrey leads the team in receiving yards (626 yards) which is 7th in the NFL.
WRs Breakdown: Just give it time, I said. Davante Adams and Matthew Stafford are finding their rhythm. Just like Odell Beckham and Stafford in 2021, it took about 6 games for them to understand one another’s timing. Adams is not generating a tough of yards after the catch but he is giving the Rams a boost in a much more important area for Los Angeles: the red zone. Oh. And welcome back Puka Nacua.
Ricky Pearsall appears likely to miss this game. However Jauan Jennings will play in...
