As if the Rams season wasn't off to a bad enough start the problems have continued to mount this week.  Injuries to multiple key players, a suspension to a starting linebacker and a trip to Candlestick Park to face the 49ers.  This has all the makings of a horrible Sunday for the Rams.  The NFL is an unforgiving place and no one is going to feel sorry for the Rams so with that in mind the team headed back to work this week with an eye toward their first win and pulling off a huge surprise in San Francisco.  Here is a preview of the Rams/49ers game.


When the Rams have the ball

Unless there is some sort of miracle Kyle Boller will be the starting quarterback against the 49ers.  Boller provided a spark in Sunday's game against the Packers and there is hope that he can replicate that with more reps in practice this week and receiving the full game plan for this week.  The Rams will be without their top wide receiver in 2009, Laurent Robinson, so they are going to have to find ways to get the ball down the field with someone else.  Daniel Fells made some impressive plays last week and should be getting more time on the field at tight end.  Defensively for the 49ers it revolves around Patrick Willis.  Willis has been a thorn in the Rams sides since he came into the league and has been averaging 10 tackles a week.  In the secondary Nate Clements remains a very good cornerback and is a threat to pick off passes.  The 49ers also have former Rams cornerback Dre Bly on the roster and former University of Missouri defensive end Justin Smith, both are key contributors.  The 49ers are 4th against the run this season so it might be a tough afternoon for Steven Jackson as well.  This will be a very difficult test for the Rams offense.


When the 49ers have the ball

Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore will not play this Sunday vs. the Rams but it is no guarantee that there will be a significant downgrade at the position because the 49ers have rookie Glen Coffee who has been very impressive in training camp and the preseason.  Coffee received 25 carries last week after Gore got injured so don't expect the 49ers to shy away from the run.  Shaun Hill has played very well in the first three games with a 63% completion percentage.  The Rams should obviously be concerned with tight end Vernon Davis who is finally showing why he was a first round draft pick.  Davis has 14 catches already this season and with how tight ends have torched the Rams expect Mike Singletary to try to exploit that matchup.  At wide receiver the 49ers are lead by Isaac Bruce, the same guy the Rams said was done two year ago.  While Bruce may have lost a step he is still a very productive player.  The 49ers are healthy on the offensive line right now so the Rams defense will have trouble too.


Special Teams

The 49ers have Allen Rossum returning punts and kicks and he is a significant threat returning the ball.  The Rams counter with Danny Amendola who showed something last week returning kicks.  In the kicking game the 49ers have a solid kicked in Joe Nedney who has not missed a kick this season.  Punting is Andy Lee who is averaging almost 50 yards a punt so he is off to a great start as well.


Prediction

This one looks like a total mismatch on paper.  The only thing the 49ers don't have going for them is the injury to Frank Gore.  While that is huge it probably won't make too much of a difference in this one.  The Rams are too beat up, too deficient in talent and it is more a question of not if they will lose but by how much.  I hope I am wrong about this one but I think the Rams are headed to their 14th loss in a row.  49ers 24 Rams 10.