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The 49ers begin their return engagement with NFC West foes as they face off with the St. Louis Rams for the second time this season. Of course, this one has a little extra meaning with the 49ers looking to avenge their Week 10 24-24 tie at Candlestick Park. That game is also significant given that it launched us into the insanity of the 49ers quarterback controversy.
One of the big matchups this week will be the Rams pass rush against the 49ers offensive line. The Rams pass rush is fourth in the NFL in sacks, but 19th in adjusted sack rate. ASR looks at sacks and intentional grounding penalties per pass attempt, and adjusts for down, distance and opponent. The 49ers have given up a fair number of sacks this season, but if Colin Kaepernick gets the start on Sunday, it is sort of a whole new ballgame. It's a small sample size for now, but Kaepernick has done a better job avoiding sacks than Alex Smith. Kaepernick will be tested with Chris Long and Robert Quinn coming at him.
Coaching Connections
- 49ers head coach JIm Harbaugh was an offensive assistant with the Oakland Raiders from 2002-03 while Rams DL coach Mike Waufle held the same position with the Raiders
- Harbaugh was also a quarterback for the Chicago Bears while Rams assistant head coach Dave McGinnish was the linebackers coach for the Bears from 1987-93
- 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and Rams offensive line coach Paul Boudreau were on the same staff with the New Orleans Saints from 1987-90. Boudreau held the same position and Fangio was the linebackers coach.
- Fangio was the special assistant to the head coach and 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman was the assistant offensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens from 2006-07, while Rams special teams coordinator John Fassel was an assistant special teams coach
49ers-St. Louis Connections
- 49ers DT Justin Smith is a native of Holts Summit, MO, and attending the University of Missouri (1998-2000) where he earned First-Team All-America and First-Team All-Big 12 honors his final season
- 49ers TE Delanie Walker became the first and only player selected in 49ers history out of the University of Central Missouri
- 49ers LB Aldon Smith starred at the University of Missouri (2008-10) and was a First-Team All-Big 12 selection, as well as the recipient of Missouri's Defensive Lineman of the Year Award, in 2010
St. Louis-Nor-Cal Connections
- Rams head coach Jeff Fisher was the defensive backs coach for the 49ers from 1992-93
- Rams quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti held the same position with the 49ers in 2007
Series Highlights
Matchups: 126
Series record: 49ers lead series 62-61-3
49ers away record vs. Rams: 49ers lead series 31-30-1
First Meeting: 10/1/50, Rams win 35-14 at SF
Last Meeting: 11/11/12, Tie 24-24 at SF
Current Streak: Tied 1
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 17 (12/17/90 - 12/27/98)
Longest Rams Win Streak: 10 (11/29/70 - 9/28/75)
Most 49ers Points: 48 (12/27/87): 48-0 at SF
Most Rams Points: 56 (11/9/58): 56-7 at LA
49ers Shutouts: 8 (Last 12/4/11), 49ers win 26-0 at SF
Rams Shutouts: None
2012 Statistics
| 49ERS (rank) | RAMS (rank) | |
| 8-2-1 (1st NFCW) | Record | 4-6-1 (3rd NFCW) |
| 25.1 (12th) | Points per game | 18.6 (28th) |
| 365.5 (11th) | Total Offense | 330.7 (23rd) |
| 163.4 (1st) | Rushing Offense | 117.8 (12th) |
| 202.2 (27th) | Passing Offense | 212.9 (21st) |
| 30:55 (10th) | Possession Avg | 29:24 (t-21st) |
| 14.1 (1st) | Points allowed/gm | 23.1 (t-18th) |
| 278.4 (2nd) | Total Defense | 340.8 (12th) |
| 91.1 (4th) | Rushing Defense | 111.4 (14th) |
| 187.3 (2nd) | Passing Defense | 229.5 (16th) |
| 28 (t-11th) | Sacks | 31 (4th) |
| 46.8 (15th) | Punting Avg (Gross) | 47.4 (9th) |
| +6 (9th) | Turnover Differential | -3 (t-18th) |