Los Angeles Rams versus San Francisco 49ers: Stock up, stock down

The Los Angeles Rams finish the regular season with a 13-3 record after sweeping the NFC West with a perfect 6-0 record.

The Rams and San Francisco 49ers battled for four quarters, though the teams were playing for different reasons. The Rams were in firm control from start to finish with the defense forcing multiple turnovers, and the offense capitalizing just about every time.

Let’s take a look at the stock report:

Stock Down

PR JoJo Natson

This isn’t a huge “stock down”, but Natson hasn’t looked perfectly comfortable receiving punts the past few weeks. Natson only had two returns, one of which was a misjudged punt that bounced around, hit him, and went for negative yardage. The other return was a solid return of 16 yards, though Rams fans will likely hold their breath every fielded punt because of Pharoh Cooper’s postseason blunders last year.

Stock Up

RB C.J. Anderson

With Todd Gurley missing another contest, the Rams leaned heavily on Anderson once again, and he rewarded them handsomely. Anderson ran the ball 23 times for 132 rushing yards and one touchdown, he also chipped in with three receptions for 22 receiving yards. Anderson runs tough, routinely breaking arm tackles and dragging defenders for extra yardage. Anderson has combined for over 300 rushing yards in the past two weeks, allowing Gurley to remain on the sidelines and nurse his knee back to health.

WR Brandin Cooks

Brandin Cooks hasn’t been used a ton recently (especially not deep), but he remains productive when targeted. On nine targets, Cooks converted five receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns. The Rams should look to use Cooks to his full ability again with his deep speed and big play ability. Regardless, Cooks has been very good in whatever role he’s been asked to play.

WR Josh Reynolds

Josh Reynolds continues to prove he’s worthy of a starting spot at WR on somebody’s roster. Since Cooper Kupp went down with a torn ACL, Reynolds has started five games totaling 22 receptions for 304 yards and three touchdowns. He’s proven to be a quality weapon for Jared Goff, particularly as a jump-ball specialist.

ILB Cory Littleton

Littleton probably had his best game as a starting inside linebacker. Littleton pulled down two interceptions (one of which went for a touchdown), two pass deflections, and four tackles. It’s a good time for the Rams’ weakest position group to gain some confidence as they move into the playoffs.

ILB Mark Barron

Just like Littleton, Barron had his biggest impact performance of the 2018 season. Barron registered six tackles, one sack, and one tackle-for-loss. Barron also had a QB hit where he destroyed QB Nick Mullens, though the play was negated by a BS flag.

DT Aaron Donald

Donald didn’t get to tie or break Michael Strahan’s record of 22.5 sacks, but he was downright dominant like always. Donald did get himself one sack knocking his total up to 20.5 sacks on the season. Nick Mullens was throwing the ball extremely quickly, otherwise Donald might have registered another two or three sacks on Sunday. Still, a four tackle, one-sack, one tackle-for-loss performance will do. Onto the postseason.