The San Francisco 49ers are back in action this week after a couple extra days of preparation. Following last Thursday's ugly loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers are back on the road to face the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. The game kicks off at 10:00 a.m. PT, and will broadcast on FOX. The announcer crew consists of Dick Stockton and David Diehl, which is pretty far down the depth chart, so I don't imagine this game is getting more than 49ers/Rams regional coverage.
The 49ers opened as a 7.5-point underdog, and the line has climbed as high as nine points already. This marks the first time the 49ers have been underdogs to the Rams since 2010, and they have not been underdogs this big since 2005. Times have certainly changed. The Rams come into this game with a strong defense, led by a great defensive line. Nick Foles remains an inconsistent quarterback, but Todd Gurley has emerged to provide the Rams offense with a great running back for the first time since Steven Jackson.
The Rams claimed the last game between these two, with a 13-10 win over the 49ers in Santa Clara. Prior to that, the 49ers had won three straight. The 49ers most public rival might be the Dallas Cowboys, but the Rams are a significant historic rival for the team. And with the potential for the team to move back to Los Angeles, it might only add to this rivalry.
The 49ers are back for their normal media schedule this week. Rams head coach Jeff Fisher will chat with the Bay Area media at 8:20 a.m. PT. Jim Tomsula will conduct his weekly Wednesday press conference at 10:30 a.m. PT. At the same time, linebacker James Laurinaitis will be conducting a conference call with Bay Area media. Colin Kaepernick and special teams coach Thomas McGaughey will follow at 11:45. The locker room will be open from 12:00 to 12:45, and that will be followed by practice at 2 p.m. The injury report will conclude the day.
On Thursday, Eric Mangini and Geep Chryst will meet with the media at 11:45 a.m. The locker room will be open from 12:00 to 12:45, and that will be followed by practice at 2:40 p.m. The 49ers wrap up the practice week on Friday with Jim Tomsula's final press conference of the week, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. The team will practice at 11:20 a.m., and then have locker room availability after practice.
Matchups: 131
Series Record: 49ers lead series 65-63-3
49ers Away Record vs. Rams: 49ers lead series 33-31-1
First Meeting: 10/1/50, Rams win 35-14, at SF
Last Meeting: 11/2/14, Rams win 13-10, at SF
Current Streak: Lost 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): 49ers win 48-0, at SF
Most Rams Points: 56 (11/9/58): Rams win 56-7, at LA
49ers Shutouts: 8 (Last 12/4/11), 49ers win 26-0, at SF
Rams Shutouts: None
(LA) - Los Angeles
WR Anquan Boldin
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In 17 career games against StL, has totaled 110 receptions for 1,513 yards and 9 TDs.
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As a member of the Arizona Cardinals, had 6 receptions for a team-high 123 yards and 2 TDs at StL (11/23/03).
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Has 6 career 100-yard games against StL in his career, his most against any team.
LB NaVorro Bowman
- Took down Rams QB Kellen Clemens for a 7-yard loss in the 4th quarter at StL (1/1/12).
- Sacked QB Sam Bradford and forced a fumble, which was recovered by DT Tony Jerod-Eddie.
- Registered a team-high 11 tackles and 1.0 sack vs. StL (12/1/13).
CB Tramaine Brock
- Late in the 4th quarter vs. StL (11/11/12), he stripped the ball from Rams RB Isaiah Pead on a kickoff return, marking his first-career FF. The loose ball was scooped up by S Darcel McBath. On the ensuing play, RB Frank Gore scored on a 20-yard TD run.
LB Ahmad Brooks
- Recorded 1.5 sacks and tied for a team-high 9 tackles at StL (9/26/13).
- Brought down Rams QB Austin Davis for 2.0 sacks at StL (10/13/14).
TE Vernon Davis
- Recorded his 100th career reception at StL (12/21/08 - 17 yard pass from QB Shaun Hill).
- Tied the then NFL record for TD receptions by a TE (13) in a single season at StL (1/3/10). Davis' career-long 73-yard TD reception in the 4th quarter tied TE Antonio Gates' record from 2004.
DT Tony Jerod-Eddie
- Recorded his first career fumble recovery at StL (9/26/13). The takeaway led to a 1-yard TD run by RB Anthony Dixon two plays later.
CB Dontae Johnson
- Recorded his first career INT and first career TD, intercepting a Rams QB Austin Davis pass and taking it 20-yards to the end zone at StL (10/13/14).
QB Colin Kaepernick
- Completed 21 of 32 pass attempts for 208 yards and rushed for 84 yards on 9 carries at StL (12/2/12).
- Recorded a passer rating of 111.5 by completing 19 of 28 pass attempts for 275 yards and 1 TD vs. StL (12/1/13).
- Threw for 343 yards, 3 TDs and a QB rating of 123.9 on ESPN's Monday Night Football at StL (10/13/14).
WR Torrey Smith
- Making his first career NFL start as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, recorded 5 receptions for a game-high 152-yards and 3 TDs at StL (9/25/11). His first 3 receptions all went for TDs (74, 41 and 18 yards) as he became the first rookie in NFL history to record 3 TD receptions in a 1st quarter
2015 Statistics
| 49ERS (rank) | RAMS (rank) | |
| 2-5 (t-3rd NFCW) | Record | 3-3 (2nd NFCW) |
| 14.7 (32nd) | Points per game | 18.0 (31st) |
| 295.6 (32nd) | Total Offense | 298.8 (31st) |
| 110.1 (17th) | Rushing Offense | 121.2 (13th) |
| 185.4 (31st) | Passing Offense | 177.7 (32nd) |
| 27:41 (29th) | Possession Avg | 26:48 (31st) |
| 25.7 (22nd) | Points allowed/gm | 19.8 (10th) |
| 406.0 (31st) | Total Defense | 351.3 (12th) |
| 113.3 (20th) | Rushing Defense | 108.2 (14th) |
| 292.7 (31st) | Passing Defense | 243.2 (17th) |
| 14 (18th) | Sacks | 23 (t-2nd) |
| 43.5 (26th) | Punting Avg (Gross) | 47.3 (t-17th) |
| 0 (t-16th) | Turnover Differential | +4 (t-6th) |