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

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CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Defensive back Antone Exum #38 of the San Francisco 49ers dodges wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers to score a touchdown in the first quarter at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Givetake

Rams – Eight takeaways, six giveaways, plus-2 differential
49ers – Three takeaways, 14 giveaways, minus-11 differential

Turnovers have been a huge problem for the 49ers, they have displayed a ridiculous propensity for giveaways, with ball security clearly a huge issue for this team, and have struggled to take it away from opponents.

Takeaways were the primary thing missing from the improved defensive performance against Green Bay, and the 49ers must find a way to start forcing them if some more positive results are to be derived from this season. The Rams have not taken the ball away as much as would have been anticipated but, against their potent offense, a tendency to struggle to protect the ball and an inability to take it away is a recipe for disaster for the Niners.

Pass rush

Rams – Team pressure percentage: 41 (according to Pro Football Focus), 12 sacks
49ers – Team pressure percentage: 36 (according to PFF), 12 sacks

Perhaps one of the most surprising statistics of the season is that the 49ers have the same amount of sacks as the Rams vaunted pass rush. In terms of overall impact, a defensive line that features three first round picks in Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas has not been close to having the same influence a Rams group led by Aaron Donald has done for Los Angeles, but the Niners had their best pass-rushing performance of the season in Green Bay.

The 49ers sacked Aaron Rodgers three times and hit him on seven occasions and will need to replicate that showing to get Jared Goff and the best offense in the league out of rhythm. Regardless of Los Angeles’ mediocre numbers, Donald and Suh and Co. will likely present the Niner offensive line’s biggest test of the year.