Los Angeles Rams

Rams vs. 49ers: 5 Week 1 Bold Predictions for San Francisco

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers host the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football to kick off Week 1 of the 2016 NFL regular season. Niner Noise takes a stab at five bold predictions for the red and gold’s efforts in this prime-time matchup.

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The 2016 NFL season is upon us, and the San Francisco 49ers welcome the Los Angeles Rams for a divisional showdown on Monday Night Football at Levi’s Stadium.

49ers

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San Francisco also opened up last year in a prime-time matchup. Fans will remember running back Carlos Hyde rumbling for 168 yards against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 a season ago.

Should we expect a similar performance?

Whoever winds up being the most impactful player — on either side — the Niners kick off 2016 with plenty of questions in need of answers.

As head coach Chip Kelly opens up the playbook for the regular season, what should fans expect as the 49ers look to start the season 1-0?

Niner Noise will go a bit further.

Let’s take some bold predictions for this NFC West showdown between these two longstanding rivals.

And maybe, just maybe, some of these come true.

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) is upended in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5: TE Vance McDonald Hauls in Two Touchdown Receptions

Here’s a lofty bold prediction for you — tight end Vance McDonald’s problem with the dropsies is all but over.

Too far?

Perhaps. But let’s go with another bold prediction. San Francisco’s fourth-year tight end winds up hauling in not one, but two touchdown grabs from quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

Why would this happen?

Well, the 49ers don’t have a lot of answers outside of No. 1 wide receiver Torrey Smith. And we can guess head coach Chip Kelly will utilize his tight ends a lot more than former head coach Jim Tomsula.

McDonald developed a bit of a rapport with Gabbert last season, which led to three touchdowns in what was the former Rice product’s best season as a pro. And the 49ers will be relying on him to make a substantial impact in 2016.

We saw some of this in the preseason. McDonald led all 49ers receivers with 94 receiving yards. Sure, these stats don’t exactly count. But we can gauge the use.

Los Angeles also gave up a total of 85 catches for 933 yards to tight ends last season. That’s an average of 5.3 grabs and 58.3 yards allowed per game.

The opportunities should be there.

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) makes a pass as tackle Joe Staley (74) defends in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4: 49ers Allow Zero Sacks

Wait, so we’re predicting the 49ers — the same team which allowed the second-most sacks in 2015 (53) — to put up a zero spot in this category against defensive tackle Aaron Donald and the Rams defense?

Yes.

Keep this in mind: San Francisco’s offensive line is vastly improved over what it was a year ago. Last season, Pro Football Focus ranked the Niners O-line 27th in the NFL. While run blocking was the primary issue, it’s safe to say the 49ers’ front-five were permeable at best.

Anthony Davis’ return from retirement, and later-on move to right guard, helps the right side of the line. Second-year tackle Trent Brown is also worth watching.

#49ers T Trent Brown had clean pass-blocking grade. Gave up zero pressures according to HC Chip Kelly. #49ersBeastWriter #ForeverFaithful

— Ryan Sakamoto (@SakamotoRyan) August 16, 2016

Fans don’t have to worry about center Marcus Martin starting. Daniel Kilgore will be snapping the ball.

The other factor is head coach Chip Kelly’s offense prefers short, quick-timed passes instead of the elongated drop-back-and-wait-for-someone-to-get-open approach.

Less time for Los Angeles’ pass-rushers.

Oh, and the 49ers allowed only six preseason sacks — tied for fourth lowest in the NFL. Again, not a perfect indication. But a good sign nonetheless.

Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) gets sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Tank Carradine (95) in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3: EDGE Tank Carradine Records Two Sacks

Moving former defensive end Tank Carradine to the EDGE spot was the best thing to happen to the former Florida State pass-rusher’s pro career.

Carradine was among the best pass-rushers in the NFL this preseason, according to Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus. And Carradine was executing some of his best work without the first-team defensive line unit.

It's preseason and mostly vs. backups but the top two pass rush grades among all 3-4 OLBs belong to Marcus Rush and Tank Carradine. #49ers

— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) August 21, 2016

True, he wasn’t going up against first-team units either. But here is where Carradine will earn his stripes on pass-rushing situations for the Niners defense.

San Francisco’s defensive front will be featuring defensive end Arik Armstead, who was limited in the preseason with a shoulder injury. Armstead is a pocket-wrecking force. So the 6-foot-7 bookend’s presence should open up lanes in which Carradine can have a relatively easy route to Rams quarterback Case Keenum.

And we haven’t even mentioned rookie DE DeForest Buckner. Just pair him alongside Armstead.

All this is good news for Carradine, who should easily post a few quarterback pressures if he doesn’t reach this bold prediction.

Nov 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2: 49ers Defense Holds RB Todd Gurley to Under 100 Yards

The 49ers likely win the game if they hold Rams standout running back Todd Gurley to less than 100 yards on the ground.

In many ways, Los Angeles’ offense is much like that of San Francisco. Neither team has a solid answer at quarterback. And the Rams can’t count on a reliable crop of pass catchers either. Much like the 49ers.

So that means the running game. A lot of it.

Like the Niners with tailback Carlos Hyde (we’ll get to him shortly), Los Angeles will be featuring Gurley as much as possible. Running against the 49ers defense in sub packages is probably what Rams head coach Jeff Fisher will want to do.

It will help keep possession in Los Angeles’ favor. And it will wear down the Niners defense as well.

This means the pressure will be on All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who excelled against the run in 2015 and led the NFL in tackles last year with 116.

Other run stuffers, like nose tackles Mike Purcell and Glenn Dorsey, will be asked to make notable contributions as well.

San Francisco wins if Gurley doesn’t crest the 100-yard plateau.

Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) celebrates with fans after scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1: RB Carlos Hyde Eclipses His Week 1 Effort from 2015

Remember this play?

Carlos Hyde with the Braxton Miller style SPIN MOVE last night during #MNF #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/LHKnBYaS0W

— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) September 15, 2015

That was part of running back Carlos Hyde’s 168-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 last year. And it fell on Monday Night Football as well.

There is a key difference here though. Last season, the 49ers were thought to have a bit of a passing game. The offense boasted wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick hadn’t hit rock bottom yet.

This year, Los Angeles will know San Francisco’s rushing attack is coming. It’s the 49ers’ best weapon on offense.

Still, head coach Chip Kelly will be featuring the run. The Niners led the NFL in preseason rushing yards with 737 — nearly 100 more than the second-place Tennessee Titans (644).

So that means a lot of Hyde.