49ers (1-1) at Rams (0-2)
When: Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
Where: Sofi Stadium; Los Angeles, Calif.
TV: KTTV-11 (Los Angeles), KTVU-2 (San Francisco), KICU-TV-36 (San Jose); STREAMING: Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Paramount+, Sling TV, NFL+.
Radio: KSPN-AM (710 Los Angeles); KGO (810-AM) and The Bone KSAN (107.7-FM) (Bay Area)
Line: 49ers by 7.5 points; over/under 45.5
Notable injury designations:
49ers: Out: Deebo Samuel (Calf); Questionable: Charvarius Ward (Hamstring/Knee), Nick Bosa (Rib); Doubtful: George Kittle (Hamstring)
Rams: Out: Davis Allen (back), Cooper Kupp (Ankle); Questionable: Joshua Karty (Groin), Cobie Durant (Toe), Bobby Brown III (Ankle)
What is at stake? These NFC West rivals limp into Sofi Stadium off losses. This game's injury report is a who's who of the NFL — Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel Sr. and Christian McCaffery will all miss the game.
At 0-2, the Rams desperately need a win before their season goes off the rails. Including the playoffs, Kyle Shanahan is 9-4 against Sean McVay. McVay will need to out-coach and out-scheme his predecessor.
Who's better? Despite losing to the Minnesota Vikings 23-17, San Francisco boasts one of the better defenses in the league. Their defense is littered with All-Pros at every level: Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and expect Talanoa Hufanga to return after losing him to a torn ACL last season.
On offense, the 49ers still have Trent Williams, Brandon Aiyuk, Kyle Juszczyk, and an emerging star in Dominic Puni, to shoulder the load of a missing Christian McCaffery and Deebo Samuels.
Without All-Pro tight end George Kittle, the 49ers may look to Juan Jennings to shoulder the lion's share of Kittle's blocking. Jennings boasts equally impressive blocking prowess. Since the start of last season, Jennings boasts a run block win rate of 84.8%, shoulders above the league average (79.2%) for receivers.
Stafford, who will be under center behind his third new starting offensive line this year, and without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, will be asked to keep the Rams on schedule. The Rams come into this game overmatched at too many critical positions to come away with the win.
Matchup to watch: Bobby Brown III against Jake Brendel. Of all the centers that have played this year (34), Brendel has the lowest pass-blocking grade (29.5) on PFF. Brown's quickness and power can derail the 49ers' ability to establish and rely on the run.
Rams win if: They keep the vaunted 49ers offense off the field. San Francisco boasts an NFL-best time of possession per game average of 36:44. With limited opportunities to keep them off the field, Los Angeles must establish the run to keep their defense fresh. Beaux Limmer will have to limit Warner's effectiveness and impact. Warner leads the league in forced fumbles (3), and if allowed to run amuck, it will be a long day for the Rams. Head coach Sean McVay must rely on quick passes to limit San Francisco's effectiveness and aggression. Rookie wide receiver Jordan Whittington will have a legitimate opportunity to showcase his toughness and talent.
Defensively, the Rams' rookies, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske must make their impact felt. Without their full complement of weapons, the 49er's quarterback, Brock Purdy, must shoulder the bulk of their offense. Although Purdy is second in the league in passing yards (550), he is taking sacks at an unprecedented clip at 10.5% this year. Opportunities for Fiske and Verse to impact the game will be in abundance.