49ers Vs. Rams: A Look Ahead

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 31, 2011 8:53 AM CST in 2011 NFL regular season

SEATTLE - DECEMBER 24: Place kicker David Akers #2 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a field goal in the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 24, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 19-17. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

This wasn't where the NFC West was supposed to be in Week 17. All of the pundits of Delphi told us that the St. Louis Rams would be tuning up for a playoff appearance this week. The San Francisco 49ers would be chasing Andrew Luck and the top pick in the draft. And here we are. Script flipped. By about 4 p.m. Eastern, tomorrow, we'll know if the 49ers have a first-round bye in the playoffs and if the Rams have the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Leading into the game, I talked a little about the 49ers surprise season with David Fucillo, the head honcho over at Niners Nation, the managing editor of SB Nation Bay Area and an NFL correspondent over at the big hub. We talked a little about the Niners' path through the playoffs, secrets to success and what they need to do in the off season. Hopefully, there's a few lessons in the there for the Rams.

A quick programming note, we'll be getting head long into the off season next week. First, it's Black Monday, and later in the week we'll have some in-depth articles on free agency, roster reviews, etc.

Let's talk NFC West after the jump.

1. The 49ers are facing some real playoff implications with this game. What's at stake? Can we expect starters to be resting?

The 49ers will not be resting their starters on Sunday. If the 49ers beat the Rams or the Saints lose to the Panthers, the 49ers clinch the number two seed in the NFC and a much-needed bye week. The 49ers and Saints will be playing at the same time, so neither will know for sure what is what until games are further along. If the 49ers are able to get a big lead, you could see guys like Frank Gore getting some rest.

It is worth noting that the 49ers will be playing several backup receivers on Sunday, but that is due to injuries and not resting players. The 49ers released Braylon Edwards and Ted Ginn and Kyle Williams are both hurt and likely to get the week off to continue their rehab. Additionally, backup tight end Delanie Walker is out with a broken jaw. Walker is a backup in name only as the 49ers normally run a lot of plays from a base two tight end set.

2. How do the 49ers stack up against other NFC teams in the playoffs? Which team would present the toughest challenge for them in the postseason and why?

The Saints on the road is the toughest challenge in my mind because of how well the Saints are playing in the Superdome. Thus, it is essential for the 49ers to get the two seed. If they land the two seed, Green Bay is the biggest challenge. I think the 49ers can beat the Packers, but it will be tough at Lambeau. The 49ers have a great rush defense and a solid pass defense, but the pass defense is susceptible to big plays on occasion. That concerns me against the Packers.

One of the 49ers three losses came to Dallas, so there is always the concern of facing them again. Again, it comes down to the big plays they can get from their receivers. The 49ers secondary is strong, but when it has struggled, it has been big plays that get them.

3. Since this season was a little bit of a surprise, how will the 49ers approach the offseason? Will they be the team to beat in the NFC West next year?

The off season will be an interesting one in part because the 49ers have a lot of free agents. They signed numerous players to one-year deals and will potentially be paying the proverbial piper this off season. Among others, Carlos Rogers, Dashon Goldson and Alex Smith are all free agents. The 49ers have cap space to get deals done, but given the team's success, it will be interesting to see what kinds of offers are out there from the rest of the league.

Even if the 49ers bring back everybody, they have some holes to fill. The wide receiver position has some question marks and the team will likely look to address those. The offensive line position has a couple question marks and the team will need to figure things out, particularly at the right guard position.

As the 49ers head into 2012, I've got to think they will be the favorites in the NFC West. They could have some decent turnover, but considering what Jim Harbaugh was able to do in spite of the lockout, I have confidence in the team at this point.

Thanks again to Fooch.

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Comments

How about the Rams? What positions do they need to address in the offseason?

What positions besides Linebacker, Quarterback, Running Back, Defensive End and Brandon Lloyd are the the Rams strongest at?

"When they pull the chains off, I’ll come back just as strong as when I left, if not better" - 52

by Pat Willie on Dec 31, 2011 10:18 AM CST reply actions

the o-line obviously

if the corners come back healthy that will be a plus. need an olb or two and a d-tackle. A backup for sj, a #1 wideout and some good coaching for a change.

by hbwb on Dec 31, 2011 10:36 AM CST up reply actions

I think you're right about the coaching

The 49ers had the same problems as the Rams last year. We were in need of a couple offensive linemen, an outside linebacker, a couple corners, a backup for Frank Gore and a #1 wideout. But when it came down to it, all we really needed was a better coach.

"When they pull the chains off, I’ll come back just as strong as when I left, if not better" - 52

by Pat Willie on Dec 31, 2011 11:08 AM CST up reply actions

If Michael Crabtree would get consistent (what happened to him?)

And if Kapernick wants to go ahead and get better than Alex Smith, y’all wouldn’t mind

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 31, 2011 11:41 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Crabtree is getting good

And Kaepernick I think can wait a year or two. I think he’ll get there though.

"When they pull the chains off, I’ll come back just as strong as when I left, if not better" - 52

by Pat Willie on Dec 31, 2011 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

I think Kapearnick will be fine

But if he wanted to go ahead and be good now, it wouldn’t hurt

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 31, 2011 1:36 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

The 49ers fans are the biggest homers and the niners are way over rated and will not be beating any of the good teams in the NFC

The defense is decent but the offense sucks big time

by Rammon105 on Dec 31, 2011 11:38 AM CST reply actions

The defense is maybe the best in the league

Stop hatin

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 31, 2011 11:40 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Maybe the 49ers are not overrated

Since no one really gives them much respect. Everyone pretty much questions the 49ers offense. As a matter of fact, the less guys know about football, the more they question the 49ers.

No one is even jumping on our bandwagon yet, and us “homers” like it that way.

"When they pull the chains off, I’ll come back just as strong as when I left, if not better" - 52

by Pat Willie on Dec 31, 2011 1:34 PM CST up reply actions

I question the offense cause if someone takes away Gore and Davis

Which isn’t easy to do at all, it gets difficult for Smith to do anything

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 31, 2011 1:37 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

The Rams got a look at Crabtree last game...

"When they pull the chains off, I’ll come back just as strong as when I left, if not better" - 52

by Pat Willie on Dec 31, 2011 1:49 PM CST up reply actions

That doesn't count

Justin King was covering him. You can’t say you’re a good offense cause you can pass on the Rams. Just like you don’t have a good defense if you keep us from scoring

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 31, 2011 1:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Ok, but that wasn't his best game this season or anything

But if you want to be one of those guys, I don’t mind. Keep thinking the 49ers have no offense without Vernon and Gore. Like I said before, we like it that way.

I assure you, the good fans (or homers according to Rammon105) at Niners Nation wouldn’t be dense enough to underestimate the Rams, even at 2-13 with some silly draft pick on the line.

"When they pull the chains off, I’ll come back just as strong as when I left, if not better" - 52

by Pat Willie on Dec 31, 2011 2:11 PM CST up reply actions

You have other offense besides them

But Im not gonna trust Smith till he does it in a big game. And you have no fear of the Rams, they have quit on their coach (who’s a dope) and they have Kellen Clemens at QB and Lloyd is already looking to go with McD to KC

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 31, 2011 2:16 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Biggest Mistake Kansas City can make

Unless they want him as a quarterback coach

"When they pull the chains off, I’ll come back just as strong as when I left, if not better" - 52

by Pat Willie on Dec 31, 2011 2:24 PM CST up reply actions

Nope

They are gonna make him the OC to go with Romeo Crenel as the HC (who’s proven he’s a Turner and Philips kinda guy) and they probably keep Lloyd over the younger Bowe

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 31, 2011 2:29 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

McDaniels ruined the Broncos, and did absolutely nothing for the Rams. I don’t know what the Chiefs expect him to do for them.

"When they pull the chains off, I’ll come back just as strong as when I left, if not better" - 52

by Pat Willie on Dec 31, 2011 2:43 PM CST up reply actions

It's just cause they have a Pats homer in charge

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 31, 2011 2:45 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I hope they upgrade their super secret spy equipment. It’s the only way they’re going to win with McDaniels as OC. We still beat him last year after he taped us. We had Troy Smith as quarterback and Singletary as coach and still beat him.

"When they pull the chains off, I’ll come back just as strong as when I left, if not better" - 52

by Pat Willie on Dec 31, 2011 3:10 PM CST up reply actions