{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Unquestioned must-win","video":"IUZTZSaCsBTT","thumbnail":{"uri":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/short_form_video/hero/101520_PTW_SITE.jpg","alt":"49ers' Laken Tomlinson vs. Rams' Aaron Donald is a must-see matchup","title":"49ers' Laken Tomlinson vs. Rams' Aaron Donald is a must-see matchup"},"credit":"","published":1602879520,"caption":"

We put together eight solid reasons why the 49ers would bounce back and beat the Dolphins last week, but then Sunday happened.

A 43-17 blowout loss took just about all the wind out of the 49ers' sails, as a schedule gauntlet now looms, beginning with the 4-1 Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams arguably feature one of the NFL's, heck one of America's most dangerous men (Aaron Donald) in their huddle. Coach Kyle Shanahan and his group have heard all the negative chatter this week, and will be ready to play in the 49ers' second appearance in three weeks on prime time.

Here are five reasons the 49ers will get back to .500 and earn a critical division win over the Rams this week.

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Former 49ers Super Bowl champion Deion Sanders used this phrase frequently during his NFL career, and the 49ers will be paying homage to his title-winning team with throwback uniforms inspired by that 1994 team on Sunday.

The 49ers went undefeated in the all-white fits last season, including a thrilling win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17.

Unfortunately, the Rams changed up their uniform set over the offseason to some modern, truly awful looks, or we'd be getting one of the most aesthetically-pleasing games of the NFL season.

One of the league's best-looking alternate uniforms prevails over the hideous Rams kit at Levi's Stadium.

"},{"title":"Desperation time","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Shanahan_K_USA_14978638.jpg","credit":"USATSI","published":1602882936,"caption":"

Last week's game against the Dolphins was a borderline must-win, but any chance at salvaging this disastrous season starts with beating the Rams.

The 49ers comfortably are in last place in the NFC West, and already lost to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1. To keep any semblance of pace with the Seahawks and Rams in the division, head-to-head wins will be vital.

From the offensive line to the secondary, the 49ers have been dragged both by the national and local media for two weeks. Injuries aside, the 49ers really can't afford more than one more divisional loss.

Contact sports often simply come down to whoever wants it more, and there might not be an NFL team that wants and needs a win more than the 49ers.

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Through the first five weeks of the 2020 season, the Rams already have played three games on the East Coast, including a similar stretch to the 49ers with Weeks 2 and 3 both being played across the country.

But unlike the 49ers, who chose to stay in West Virginia and practice in between games in New Jersey, the Rams elected to fly home after their Week 2 game in Philadelphia, and then turn around and fly back to Buffalo just a few days later to face the Bills.

Then after a home game in Week 3, the Rams again had to fly all the way to the nation's capital to face the Washington Football Team. All those miles going between LA and the Northeast could catch up to the Rams, especially as they're on the road again Sunday night.

Only the Raiders have to travel more miles than the Rams do this season, so this finally could be the week that the jet lag affects performance.

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Battling a barrage of injuries, the 49ers' defensive backs were picked apart by Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins' offense a week ago at Levi's Stadium.

Surprise starter Brian Allen briefly was trending on Twitter and a banged-up Ahkello Witherspoon didn't fare much better, as Miami threw for 342 yards in the 43-17 win.

The 49ers will face off with one of the league's hottest quarterbacks in Jared Goff and the Rams' offense, and the 49ers' coaching staff definitely has reinforced that this group will need to step up and play better if they want to have any chance of coming away with a win Sunday.

Emmanuel Moseley is questionable as he's been in concussion protocol since exiting the Week 3 win over the Giants, but the team appears confident he will be able to go Sunday night.

With their backs against the wall, look out for this mishmash unit to make a few big plays and turn the tide of the game, which could make the difference between a win and solidifying a three-game losing streak.

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Rams head coach Sean McVay worked under Kyle Shanahan when the two were in Washington together. McVay served as tight end coach with Shanahan being the Football Team's offensive coordinator.

Both were hired to their respective head coaching positions in 2017, and have split the six games between them since.

There are plenty of shared schemes between these two offensive minds, and the game likely will come down to who can outsmart the other.

Our money is on the elder statesmen Shanahan this time around.

"}]}

Five reasons 49ers will beat rival Rams in Week 6 of 2020 NFL season