Rams vs. 49ers
Rams
Individual numbers don’t tell the story in dominating win
In a game where the defense was dominant and handed the Rams’ offense the ball with a shortened field, time and time again, there weren’t all that many big statistical numbers to be had. QB Jared Goff only missed six throws, but only threw the ball 24 times, finishing with 202 yards. The leading receiver, WR Robert Woods had 78 yards and the leading rusher was actually RB Malcolm Brown with 65 yards. I predicted a large scoring barrage from Los Angeles, but I also thought it’d be a very profitable fantasy day, considering the opponent. While it didn’t pan out the way we all probably envisioned, there is no reason to waver. Next week should provide them and us with a more competitive game when they host the Green Bay Packers, which will hopefully garner some big-time plays. The logic says that it will be a tighter game, but why can’t it be a shootout?
Malcolm Brown worth rostering?
I felt the need to talk about something other than RB Todd Gurley II, for a change. I’d say RB Malcolm Brown is worth a stash if you can afford it. My thinking is that as the Rams enter the second half of the year, they will try to lessen the workload for Gurley. Gurley will still rack up the great stats he does, but Brown has served admirably as a four to five yard per carry back. He doesn’t factor into the passing game a whole lot, which limits the reasoning in picking him up.
The defense plays hungry and feasts
After criticizing this talented defense for not forcing the issue at opposing quarterbacks and not getting enough turnover, it seems like they’d heard enough. The result: two fumbles recovered, two interceptions and seven (7!) sacks of QB CJ Beathard. Obviously, I don’t think they will be able to replicate that against QB Aaron Rodgers and Co., but it has to inspire that unit to go out and make every quarterback uncomfortable. They key: try to get DT Aaron Donald isolated on one on one matchups. He was extremely successful this past Sunday, racking up four sacks. Starting the Rams defense in fantasy has probably not been as obvious as everyone thought heading into the season, but hopefully this performance can carry over.
-Joe Hanretty
49ers
C.J. Beathard’s turnovers finally outweighed his production
49ers’ QB C.J. Beathard turned the ball over 3 times in the first half alone, and the Rams scored 17 points off those turnovers. A fourth turnover followed in the 3rd quarter that led to another 7 points. In total, Beathard finished with a dreadful line of 15/27 for 170 yards with 1 TD while absorbing 7 sacks. The O-line had trouble with All-Pro DL Aaron Donald, but many of Beathard’s sacks can be attributed to holding the ball too long as he fails to go through his progressions quickly enough. This game looked ripe for Beathard to let it rip, but his 4 turnovers sapped both his production and the team’s chances of even competing in what turned out to be an embarrassing home loss to a division rival. Until Beathard can stop turning over the ball, he’ll be tough to recommend even as a streamer.
For the 49ers’ receivers, inconsistency reigns supreme
Midway through the 3rd quarter, the 49ers’ receivers had caught exactly 2 balls. WR Marquise Goodwin was only targeted twice before being helped off the field in the 4th quarter as injuries continue to plague his season. Goodwin was able to return, but he finished with a paltry 2-24 on 5 targets, an underwhelming total given the injuries the Rams faced at cornerback. No other 49ers’ receiver did anything of note, with WRs Pierre Garcon and Trent Taylor each recording just a single catch.
Raheem Mostert might be a thing
RB Raheem Mostert, a speedy but unremarkable journeyman special teamer, once again led the team in rushing with 7 carries for 59 yards (8.4 YPC, and 5.4 YPC on the season). Mostert also reeled in all four of his targets for 19 yards. HC Kyle Shanahan will continue to employ a committee approach at tailback with RB Matt Breida ailing, and it appears Mostert will remain heavily involved, giving him some FLEX value. RB Alfred Morris continues to look washed with 9 carries for 25 yards (2.8 YPC). With no rusher taking the majority of carries, and playing on a team seemingly destined to play from behind most weeks, it will be tough to recommend any 49ers RB moving forward despite the O-line’s ability to open up holes, but Mostert and Breida remain on the RB3 radar the next two weeks with plum matchups against Arizona and Oakland.
George Kittle continues to deliver
TE George Kittle remained heavily involved, as predicted. He boomed with 5-98 and a TD, getting open all over the field and piling up yards after the catch. Kittle also led the team in targets (8), ensuring another top-shelf finish as he cements himself as one of the league’s best at the position.
The defense didn’t play as poorly as the score suggests
Four turnovers gave the Rams great field position en route to 4 scores. However, once again the secondary continued to give up chunk plays, this time on deep crossing routes. The 49ers did a fine job of taking the Rams’ running game out of the game during the first half. RB Todd Gurley did turn a few of those short fields into 2 TDs, but the 49ers run defense limited him to just 63 yards on 15 carries. Backup RB Malcolm Brown had 65 yards on 13 carries, and the Niners held Los Angeles to 4.2 YPC overall on the day. Even QB Jared Goff only threw for 202 yards on an efficient 18/24. However, the 49ers couldn’t keep the Rams out of the end zone, and that’s the stat that matters most. Well, that and the fact that once again the 49ers defense recorded no turnovers while its offense gave them up in bunches.
Final Thoughts
The Rams didn’t need to pile up yards when 49ers’ turnovers continually gave them a short field, and yet they outgained San Francisco (331 yards to 228 yards) on a near equal amount of plays (61 to 58). Efficiency was the Rams’ calling card, as they gained 5.4 yards-per-play compared to the 49ers’ 3.9. Turnovers and injuries continue to define the 49ers’ season, a season that has already proven to be a lost one. The 49ers take on Arizona and Oakland the next two weeks, two matchups that are not only winnable but also present the team with a chance to get rolling on both offense and defense again. If they can’t right the ship a bit in those two contests, then Kittle might be the only player fantasy owners can trust rest of season.
-Paul Ghiglieri