The 49ers are looking to bounce back and get their goals for the 2022 NFL season back on track with a strong performance against NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams on Monday night at Levi's Stadium.
San Francisco can get its record back to the .500 mark with a win, and there’s no doubt that the loss to the Rams in the NFC Championship Game at the end of January has not been forgotten. It isn't just a rivalry between two teams, but also between head coaches Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay.
The Rams arrive in Santa Clara with a record of 2-1, looking very similar to the roster that won the Super Bowl in its own stadium eight months ago, though they are not invincible. A win under the bright lights of "Monday Night Football" could do wonders for the 49ers' confidence and get momentum going in the right direction.
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There are interesting matchups across the board, but here are five players to watch Monday night:
1. LT Colton McKivitz
McKivitz has the huge task of stepping in for All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, who will be out for 4 to 6 weeks with a high ankle sprain. Williams was seen outside of the 49ers' locker room Saturday and was in good spirits but is still using a knee scooter to keep weight off his right ankle.
McKivitz previously stepped in for Williams in Week 18 of the 2021 season when the veteran tackle was dealing with a high ankle sprain on the same foot. McKivitz allowed two sacks and two hurries but helped the 49ers gain 135 yards on the ground in 31 carries.
San Francisco 49ers
Shanahan recalled the last time the 49ers tapped the West Virginia product for that Week 18 matchup.
“I just remember when we told Colton he was up and it was no big deal to him and he went out there and he performed,” Shanahan said this week. “It was a huge challenge going against those two edge players they had and he just battles all game. Whether he gets beat or not, he’s going to be there every play and that always gives you a chance.”
McKivitz likely will see a quite a lot of Rams star pass rusher Aaron Donald, who lines up at both ends. The seven-time All-Pro already has racked up 14 pressures, including two sacks, but A’Shawn Robinson who has taken the place of Von Miller, who signed with the Buffalo Bills, on the opposite edge, has yet to record a pressure.
2. DE Nick Bosa
The 49ers' star pass rusher has racked up 16 pressures through three contests and still is looking to have a bigger impact on the game. Bosa will attempt to keep racking up his stats against a Rams offensive line that has allowed 33 total pressures, including eight sacks.
Bosa has been lining up predominantly on the left side of the line but now that Rams veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth has retired, Bosa could spend more time on the right side to face off with Joseph Notebloom, who has allowed 12 total pressures over three games, including three quarterback sacks.
3. CB Deommodore Lenoir
The second-year pro was tapped to take over at nickel back in Week 3 after impressing Shanahan in practice. Lenoir’s job gets much more challenging this week with a matchup featuring Rams star receiver Cooper Kupp.
The Rams oddly did not utilize Kupp in Week 3 as much as they traditionally have in the past. The wideout caught four of his six targets for 44 yards while fellow receiver Ben Skowronek and tight end Tyler Higbee hauled in the same number of receptions for more yards.
Lenoir will have the support of safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson in coverage, but how the young defensive back steps up to the challenge will be a key for the 49ers' defense.
4. WR Deebo Samuel
After the heartbreaking loss the last time the two teams met up at SoFi Stadium, Samuel is ready for the rematch. The versatile “wide-back” has been a contributor to the 49ers offense through three weeks but has yet to break 100 yards rushing and receiving combined in a single game.
Samuel has registered 12 receptions for 131 yards, which gives him an average of 10.9 yards per reception, well below his NFL-leading 18.2 yard average last season.
The entire offense will need to work together to help Samuel take advantage of every opportunity like they did in Week 18 of the 2021 season, when the All-Pro racked up a whopping 164 all-purpose yards including a 24-yard touchdown pass to fellow receiver Jauan Jennings.
5. QB Jimmy Garoppolo
With one more week of practice with the first-team offense, Garoppolo is looking for a rebound performance in Week 4. Rebuilding chemistry and a rhythm with the 49ers’ skill players is a must in order to improve on the club’s 10-percent third-down conversion rate in their disappointing loss to the Denver Broncos last Sunday night.
Despite not having Miller anymore, the Rams' defense still has been able to register seven quarterback sacks over three games while the secondary has recorded four interceptions.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey has a nose for the ball and Garoppolo has thrown three interceptions in the last two contests facing the Rams, one made by Ramsey.
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Garoppolo is more productive when he doesn’t have the pressure of needing to move the ball alone. If Jeff Wilson Jr. and the rest of the running back group can get the ball moving on the ground early, Garoppolo will be able to pick his spots and let Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle and Samuel do the rest.