Los Angeles Rams

Rams vs. 49ers: 5 Week 1 Matchups to Watch for San Francisco on Monday Night Football

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

foxsports

Week 1 of the 2016 NFL season is upon us, and the San Francisco 49ers play host to the Los Angeles Rams to get this year started. Niner Noise breaks down five crucial matchups that will determine the outcome of the game.

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 San Francisco 49ers open up the 2016 season with a prime-time matchup against NFC West division rivals, the Los Angeles Rams.

49ers

Niner Noise 2wCarlos Hyde: Identifying 49ers RB's Scheme Fit in 2016

More headlines around FanSided:

2w - 49ers QB Competition: Why Colin Kaepernick Emerges as Regular-Season Victor 2w - 49ers vs. Broncos: Preseason Week 2 Grades and Analysis for SF 2w - Chip Kelly Playbook 101: Shotgun Formation, the Inside Zone and Outside-Zone Run 2w - Niner Noise's Peter Panacy to Talk 49ers Preseason Football on San Francisco's 95.7 The Game 2w - 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Prior Trades Come Up BigMore News at Niner Noise

This Week 1 bout will take place on Monday Night Football at 10:20 p.m. ET.

San Francisco still has plenty of unanswered questions heading into this contest. Lack of depth at wide receiver prompted the Niners to pick up veterans Jeremy Kerley and Rod Streater via trades. And while the quarterback competition goes to Blaine Gabbert, how will he perform in an actual regular-season contest?

There are plenty of other matchups to watch as well.

Niner Noise focuses on the five most important matchups San Francisco will have with this divisional contest on the line.

Los Angeles comes in with questions of its own, especially on offense. Remember, No. 1 overall draft pick, quarterback Jared Goff, will be inactive for his first NFL game. So that’s a storyline not worth delving into but certainly affecting what the Rams will do to move the ball.

What else is on the table for Monday night?

January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jimmie Ward (25) runs the football during the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5: DB Jimmie Ward vs. WR Tavon Austin

Fourth-year wide receiver Tavon Austin has yet to live up to his first-round draft status. The lack of a true established Rams quarterback over the last three seasons has likely hindered Austin’s impact. But a career-high 473 receiving yards last season is indication the 5-foot-9 receiver isn’t getting the job done.

He’ll want a fresh start in 2016. Yet with quarterback Case Keenum trying to throw him the ball, will Austin emerge as a major factor?

One of the guys trying to ensure this doesn’t happen will be 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward.

Ward will be on the outside in base formations. But head coach Jeff Fisher’s squad will likely be operating Austin out of the slot. According to Ryan Sakamoto of NinerFans.com, Ward could easily shift back inside to the nickel and operate as the primary coverage guy against Austin.

I have a feeling that although #49ers will start DB Jimmie Ward on the outside, he will likely be matched up in slot vs. WR Tavon Austin.

— Ryan Sakamoto (@SakamotoRyan) September 7, 2016

Ward was one of the better cast members of San Francisco’s secondary, and it’s no secret defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil wants him on the field as much as possible.

Look for this to be a factor in the 49ers pass defense.

Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead (69) in action against the Houston Texans in a preseason NFL football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4: DE Arik Armstead vs. RG Jamon Brown

Second-year defensive end Arik Armstead didn’t see a whole lot of preseason for the 49ers. He’s still listed as questionable for this contest with a shoulder injury.

We still should expect Armstead to play and build upon what was a promising end to his rookie season.

Should Armstead be ready to go, he’ll frequently line up opposite Rams right guard Jamon Brown.

Brown, who appeared in nine games in St. Louis last year, had a good deal of positive moments and grades, per Pro Football Focus (h/t Turf Show Times) and won out the starting bid at the position entering 2016.

But overall, PFF ranked the Rams offensive line No. 31 entering this season. And with 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch (suspension) out the first four games of the year, San Francisco will hope Armstead and the remaining front-seven cast will be able to take advantage of their matchups.

So keep an eye on Armstead. See if he’s going to be the pocket-wrecking force the Niners envision him being.

If so, the Rams protection schemes may be in for a long night.

November 11, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) blocks St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers and the Rams tied 24-24. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3: RG Anthony Davis vs. DT Aaron Donald

Without doubt, the No. 1 standout on Los Angeles’ defense is All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Donald finished 2015 with 43 tackles and a team-leading 11 sacks en route to his second Pro Bowl in as many years. The former first-round pick from 2014 will line up frequently against another former first rounder, right guard Anthony Davis.

Davis has bumped inside from right tackle, thanks to the emergence of second-year pro Trent Brown.

And it’s a move 49ers head coach Chip Kelly is pleased with.

“We were happy with what AD did,” Kelly said of the transition, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN. “You know, first extended playing time in a game at guard. There’s some positives that I think we can build on with AD and you see that obviously there’s a really good football player there.”

The guard position typically requires a quicker reaction than tackle. So it will be interesting to see how Davis adjusts here against one of the premier pass-rushers in the NFL right now.

November 2, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs against St. Louis Rams free safety Rodney McLeod (23) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Rams defeated the 49ers 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2: RB Carlos Hyde vs. Rams Run Defense

With all the questions the 49ers have at quarterback and wide receiver, it’s not hard to draw the conclusion San Francisco will be a run-first offense this season.

This means running back Carlos Hyde. A lot of him.

A year ago in Week 1 on Monday Night Football, Hyde torched the Minnesota Vikings for 168 rushing yards and two touchdowns. It would be oh-so great if he could have a repeat prime-time performance again this year.

Los Angeles may provide an ample opportunity for Hyde to get some big gains.

Last season, the Rams ranked No. 20 against the run with 1,820 yards allowed. Granted, their offense gained a league-worst 4,761 yards, so the Rams were frequently facing off against teams trying to wind the clock down by moving the ball on the ground.

Still, Hyde figures to be a major X-factor for San Francisco’s offense in this contest.

But Hyde suffered a concussion during the preseason. It’s something worth monitoring. And while he’s listed as probable, don’t be surprised if the Niners limit his carries and exposure.

Hyde will have to make the most out of his opportunities.

January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Tre Mason (27) runs the football against San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1: LB NaVorro Bowman vs. RB Todd Gurley

You knew Rams running back Todd Gurley was going to be in the picture, right?

Los Angeles’ No. 1 tailback averaged 4.8 yards per carry his rookie season, and he’ll be featured in a similar situation as 49ers back Carlos Hyde. Both teams have passing-attack questions, so the running game is going to be crucial.

One of the key cogs to stopping the Rams rushing attack will be linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

Bowman led the NFL last season with 116 tackles. But his surgically repaired knee made him a liability in coverage a year ago.

The added year should be a bonus. And there wasn’t much of a question surrounding Bowman’s run-stopping abilities. At least according to Matt Claassen of Pro Football Focus.