Five reasons 49ers can upset division-leading Rams on Sunday

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After a bye week allowed the 49ers to rest and recharge from what has been a brutal first 11 weeks of the NFL season, San Francisco (4-6) will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak at the brand-new SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams (7-3).The 49ers beat the Rams in the first matchup between these teams back in Week 6, but that was when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle were healthy for San Francisco. Both now are on injured reserve, and while other reinforcements could be returning to the lineup on Sunday, the 49ers are a seven-point underdog.Although the odds are stacked against them, here are five reasons the 49ers can pull off the upset Sunday and beat the Rams in LA.

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A trio of critical players could return to action Sunday for the 49ers, as running back Raheem Mostert, wideout Deebo Samuel and cornerback Richard Sherman all will be activated and listed as questionable, coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Friday.

For an offense that will be without both its starting quarterback and No. 1 option in the pass game, getting Mostert and Samuel back will be pivotal to provide backup Nick Mullens with some more options. Meanwhile, Sherman’s veteran presence on the field only stands to help what has been a banged-up secondary in 2020. 

These three could provide the energy boost and production needed to overcome the Rams.

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Aaron Donald arguably is the NFL’s most intimidating defensive player, and Jalen Ramsey has played like one of the league’s best defensive backs through 10 games. But the linebacker position for the Rams doesn’t feature nearly as much talent, and the 49ers could exploit that on Sunday.

Leonard Floyd has been phenomenal at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but other than this group hasn’t inspired much fear in offensive coordinators. Pro Football Focus’ Sosa Kremenjas joined the “Niners Nation” podcast this week with Rob Guerrera and Kyle Posey, and explained why this weakness could become a strength for Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

“I look at the middle of the field,” Kremenjas said, “I look at the linebackers and getting those guys out in space, throwing the ball to running backs trying to get them out in space one on one against backups. If there’s one area I would attack, I’m looking at the middle of the field.”

Especially if Mostert is 100 percent by kickoff, forcing those guys to cover the 49ers’ running backs could prove difficult for LA. And with Samuel back in the fold as well, don’t be surprised if we see plenty of throws in the middle third of the field.

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Both the Rams and 49ers rank among the NFL’s top 10 teams in offensive time of possession, as each features a solid running game and success through play action.

If Mullens and the 49ers’ offense want any chance at a win, they’ll need to feed Raheem Mostert early and often and keep the Rams’ offense off the field.

The Rams had their worst scoring performance of the year the last time these two teams faced off, and San Francisco will need another outstanding performance from Robert Saleh’s group to pull off the upset.

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After several years of hosting games inside the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Rams finally have a new home in Tinseltown, with the glimmering $5 billion SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

With a water feature outside and a unique circular videoboard inside, the new venue perfectly encapsulates the opulence and showmanship that LA is known for.

The Rams have yet to lose in their new home, and the 49ers could be the first visiting team to celebrate a win over McVay’s group at SoFi Stadium.

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Jerry Rice referred to Sunday’s game as a “playoff game” on 95.7 The Game, and that is exactly how the 49ers have to approach just about every game from here on out.

With six contests left this season, the 49ers will need to win all but one of those games to end up with a winning record. Firmly in last place in the division, the Rams also need this win to maintain pace in a fiercely competitive NFC West race.

It won’t be in primetime, but there’s no question these two teams will be revved up for this matchup. Shanahan better hope his group is more prepared if they want to cling to any chance of a postseason berth.

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