The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will renew their rivalry on Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium, a matchup between the top two teams in the NFC West right now. Each of these teams came away with a blowout win in Week 1, but this weekend’s game should be a closer battle.
Football is the ultimate team sport but these five individual matchups could decide the outcome of the game. If the Rams can’t keep San Francisco’s pass rushers away from Matthew Stafford, it’ll be a long day. But at the same time, if Aaron Donald can generate consistent pressure on Brock Purdy, it could disrupt San Francisco’s potent offense.
Buy Rams TicketsHere are the five biggest matchups to watch in Week 2.
1
CB Derion Kendrick vs. WR Brandon Aiyuk
Kendrick is almost exclusively an outside cornerback in the Rams’ scheme and Aiyuk primarily plays outside for the 49ers. That means they’ll be matched up a lot on Sunday afternoon, which should be fun to watch.
Kendrick more than held his own against DK Metcalf, despite allowing a touchdown in the first half, so he should be up to the task against Aiyuk. It won’t be easy, though. Aiyuk had eight catches for 129 yards and two scores in the opener against the Steelers.
2
LB Ernest Jones vs. RB Christian McCaffrey
The Steelers had no answer for McCaffrey, who had a league-high 107 yards after contact and 152 yards rushing. Jones will need to be at his best against San Francisco because McCaffrey is tough to not only catch, but get on the ground, too.
Whether tackling McCaffrey in the running game or covering him as a receiver, Jones has his hands full this week on defense. It doesn’t get much tougher for a linebacker than covering McCaffrey in the 49ers offense.
3
LT Alaric Jackson vs. DE Nick Bosa
Jackson is going to be tested throughout Sunday’s game against the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Bosa didn’t miss a step in Week 1 despite holding out this summer, recording four total pressures in just 28 pass-rush snaps.
The scary part is he should be even better in Week 2 now that he’s in better football shape and ready to play more snaps. Bosa has dominated the Rams in recent years, recording 6.5 sacks in his last five games against Los Angeles, so Jackson will try to reverse that trend by shutting down the star pass rusher.
4
DT Aaron Donald vs. LG Aaron Banks
The battle of Aarons on the interior certainly favors the Rams, seeing as their Aaron is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Banks didn’t give up a single pressure in the 49ers’ win last week but he was given a pass-blocking grade of just 49.8 so it was far from a stellar showing by the third-year guard.
Whether Donald lines up across from Banks or Spencer Burford at the other guard spot, he’s going to disrupt San Francisco’s offense. He just has to make sure to remain disciplined and not get out of his gaps to allow McCaffrey to create big plays.
5
LG Steve Avila vs. DT Javon Hargrave
No disrespect to the Seahawks’ defensive line, but it isn’t nearly as good as the 49ers’ group. Avila was outstanding against Seattle, allowing zero pressures, hits or sacks in the win, but now he gets Hargrave, Arik Armstead and the 49ers’ other interior defenders.
Hargrave is powerful and quick for his size, making him a tough matchup for any lineman. Whether it’s in pass protection or in the running game, Avila has to play well against Hargrave.
