This will be an interesting football game as these teams split their games last season with the 49ers outscoring the Rams 37-33.  The 49ers will likely try to pound the Rams with Frank Gore.  Last season Gore carried the football 50 times against the Rams for 261 yards (5.2 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  The Niners run defense didn’t look too good in the opener allowing 186 yards rushing on 38 carries (4.9 ypc) to the Carolina Panthers last week!  The 49ers would also like to attack the Rams defense with some deep passes but they need Darrell Jackson to catch the football.  He had a case of ”alligator arms” against the Cardinals on Monday Night.  They would also like to get TE Vernon Davis (2 rec, 4 yards) more involved in the offense.

The Rams will likely focus on running the football and throwing short passes because the offensive line will be without Orlando Pace limiting Marc Bulger’s time to throw the football.  Steven Jackson will probably be the main man in the offense this week.  He rolled up 316 yards rushing and receiving in two games against the 49ers last season so the Niners will likely put 8 men in the box.  That means the Rams will have Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce in single coverage against CBs Nate Clements and Walt Harris.  The Rams could also challenge the safeties by throwing the ball to TE Randy McMichael and WR Drew Bennett which would be to the Rams advantage.

PREDICTION:  The 49ers are a better team than they were last season.  But, it’s hard for me to pick Alex Smith over Marc Bulger so I will take the Rams to win a close game.