Ratings are for dorks, so I have no idea what will be the most watched game of the week, nor do I care. But I can almost guarantee what game league coaches will steal the most from—something worth considering as we move through the first quarter of a season where the 49ers look dominant and the Rams look much better than anyone (save for us) expected.
San Francisco won Sunday, with a late fourth-quarter interception by Matthew Stafford proving to be the deciding moment. The Rams came into this game after shocking the Seahawks in Week 1, and may have simply been overmatched against San Francisco given the depth of the 49ers’ personnel. One team is in Super Bowl contention mode, and one team is quickly piecing together the Legos to get there in the near future.
Both teams, though, are matched fairly evenly when it comes to brain power. Kyle Shanahan is among the most pilfered coaches in the NFL. His coaches, like niche record store owners, steal only from the best places (they were on to Neutral Milk Hotel far before you knew they existed) and add wrinkles that can thoroughly and consistently befuddle opponents. Sean McVay is also ripped off consistently, in almost the same manner. He also employs a staff full of very smart rippers, many of whom come from a diverse NFL background and can piece together a colorful game plan.
