 | | Jaworski on the 49ers |  |
The first thing that jumps out about the 9-2 San Francisco 49ers is their offensive play. They are the NFL's second-ranked offense behind the St. Louis Rams, their opponent Sunday. While I knew Jeff Garcia was a solid quarterback, the performances of Garrison Hearst and Terrell Owens have been tremendous. Over the last five games, Hearst has looked like he is 100 percent. He has averaged 110 yards per game, 5.6 yards a rush and has had 16 runs of 10 yards or more, five of them for 20 yards or more. His explosiveness has returned. Along with the skill-position players, the offensive line deserves recognition as well for allowing the other players to make plays.
The biggest surprise, though, has been the defense. Over the last two years, they have drafted six starters. They have shown quickness and aggressiveness to go with a little-kid enthusiasm for playing the game. They have been a tribute to Bill Walsh, who drafted them, and to head coach Steve Mariucci who has molded them together. The 49ers are an entertaining team to watch.
Five keys for the 49ers:
1. Force turnovers. The Rams have a league-high 33 giveaways. In their two losses, they have given the ball away 14 times. The 49ers have to force turnovers. They must actively try to strip the ball and go for interceptions. The Rams will score points. Every time the 49ers can take the ball away from the Rams, it is an opportunity for the 49ers to score and a lost opportunity for the Rams to score.
2. Focus on Faulk. The Rams love to get Marshall Faulk involved in the game. In fact, his 6.7 yards per touch is the best in the NFL. Last week against Atlanta, the Rams did a great job using him as a receiver. He caught two touchdown passes as a receiver and one coming out of the backfield. The 49ers must contain Faulk. They won't stop him -- he's too talented and the Rams have too many other weapons -- but containment is key.
3. Prevent big plays. The Rams are explosive. The offensive difference between the two teams is the Rams' ability to generate big plays. The Rams have had an NFL-best 66 big plays (plays of 20-plus yards), 15 more than the next team. The 49ers must keep the Rams' receivers and backs in front of them and tackle well to prevent them from gaining yards after the catch.
4. Expose Tucker. Rams right tackle Ryan Tucker has struggled with a broken hand, playing with a big cast most of the season. It has negated his ability to get the punch on a rushing lineman and to stone him quickly. Tucker has had a tough time against a bull rush. The 49ers must get a single matchup on him and pressure Warner. John Engelberger is the defensive end on Tucker's side and needs to pressure Warner. The 49ers have to use a four-man rush and not blitz. In the first meeting, the 49ers blitzed five times and Warner completed four for 84 yards and two touchdowns.
5. Maintain balance. Balance has been the 49ers' key. Hearst has been productive the last five games, but so has Garcia. Check out his numbers: 114 of 172 passing (66 percent), 1,221 yards, 14 touchdowns, five interceptions and a quarterback rating of 102.0. They have also been hot in the red zone, scoring 12 touchdowns on 16 possessions. If the 49ers can maintain balance, they can win the game.
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 | | Salisbury on the Rams |  |
The St. Louis Rams are a better team than they were two years ago when they won the Super Bowl. The only thing that holds them back is their propensity to turn the football over. But watch Mike Martz on the sidelines: He doesn't care about the interceptions or fumbles. There is no more confident team in the league than the Rams. They never believe they are out of a game. They believe they are unstoppable and no team is able to beat them when they are playing their game.
Their defense is much improved under defensive coordinator Lovie Smith. After their struggles a year ago, the Rams' defense is statistically ranked third in the league. If the Rams are going to lose, they will have to beat themselves. They turned the ball over against the Saints and the Bucs. The Pittsburgh Steelers may be playing better than the Rams because they are protecting the football, but the Rams are the NFC's best team. Now they need to prove it against the 49ers in a battle for NFC West supremacy.
Five keys for the Rams:
1. Hold Hearst. The 49ers will score points. While Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens are dangerous weapons who will get their yards, the Rams must first focus on stopping Garrison Hearst. They need to make sure Hearst doesn't rush for 125 yards. If he does, everyone in the 49ers' offense becomes a factor, including J.J. Stokes and the tight end. Hearst must be the No. 1 defensive priority.
2. No turnovers. The Rams can overcome just about anything. But against a team that can score with them, they need to protect the football better than they have. Nobody has beaten the Rams this year; they have only beaten themselves. They should be 11-0, not 9-2. Turnovers will be especially critical against the 49ers, who will capitalize on mistakes and turn them into touchdowns, not field goals.
3. Move Marshall around. What Mike Martz did last week against Atlanta was create mismatches with Marshall Faulk as a receiver. He has to do the same thing against the 49ers. Faulk is healthy. Martz will have Faulk line up all over the field -- in the backfield, in the slot, split outside. He will put Faulk in motion. Martz will create mismatches with Faulk any way he can.
4. Win on special teams. Although he has had a solid season overall, 49ers kicker Jose Cortez has had four kicks blocked. The game will be indoors, and both of the Rams' losses have come at home. The game could be 37-34. The Rams must win the special teams game. The Rams can't allow momentum to swing on a punt return or a kickoff return. And Jeff Wilkins must make every attempt he gets.
5. Be patient. The Rams are not a patient team. Martz is not a patient coach. Warner is not a patient quarterback. They want to attack. The Rams need to stick to what they do best and not deviate. They must be patient with their game plan. If they are up by 17 or down by 17, they need to continue with their approach.
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