San Francisco 49ers: Key numbers for Week 7 vs. Rams

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GREEN BAY, WI – OCTOBER 15: Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers participates in warmups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Pass Defense

Rams – 245 yards per game, 14th in DVOA
49ers – 279 yards per game, 25th in DVOA

With the lack of improvement made by the young players in the San Francisco secondary, it is no surprise to see the 49ers near the bottom of the league in pass defense. The Niners defense did stiffen after a difficult first quarter against the Packers, only to collapse in the final minutes as Aaron Rodgers completed a thrilling comeback.

Even with Cooper Kupp out injured for the Rams, Robert Saleh’s group will need a complete performance to stop Los Angeles’ dominant passing attack.

The Rams made numerous big-ticket additions in the offseason, but as much as Marcus Peters and Ndamukong Suh are fearsome defenders, the production Wade Phillips’ unit has allowed suggests this is a defense the 49ers should be able to move the ball on.

Run Defense

Rams – 26th in DVOA, giving up 4.8 yards per carry
49ers – 11th in DVOA, giving up 4.0 yards per carry

The area where the 49ers defense has excelled this year has been in stopping the run, and San Francisco will continue to be strong in that area in order to slow down Rams star running back Todd Gurley, having failed to do so in this matchup last year.

Though there isn’t much of a disparity between the two team’s rushing yards allowed per game (San Francisco 98.2, Los Angeles 99), the Rams are on average giving up almost a yard more per rush. If the 49ers can somehow keep this contest close, that kind of difference — should it carry into this week — may prove crucial, and the Rams apparent vulnerability on the ground indicates this could be another big day for Matt Breida after he and Raheem Mostert gashed the Packers.