Niners to Run Wild on Division Rival Rams

Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

The San Francisco 49ers are not as comfortable as they’d like to be atop the NFC-West standings with a mere 1.5 game lead over the Seattle Seahawks.  But a division battle against the lowly St. Louis Rams and a bye week for the division rival ‘Hawks could very well change that.

With the spread settling at 11.5 points, the 49ers (6-2) are the big favorites heading into their matchup against the Rams on Sunday afternoon in San Francisco, and their defense is the big reason why

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has been leading one of the best ranked defenses in the league, which averages an NFL-low 12.9 points per game.  Moreover, San Francisco allows a division-best 271.4 yards of total offense against opponents.

While their defense is in top form, it’s the Niners offense that gives tem the extra boost needed to win tight ball games.  Quarterback Alex Smith is carrying an offense that is largely built on timing, precision passing and a crafty running game.  Smith has tallied the fourth-best passer rating in the league (102.1), after finishing off the Arizona Cardinals two weeks ago after finishing 18-for-19 on 232 yards and two touchdowns.  Moreover, Gore has led a ground attack that leads the league with 168.6 yards per game.

“A simple approach to how we understand success is to get better today than we were yesterday,” Harbaugh said.  “Be better tomorrow than we were today.  Feel like improvement will lead to wins.  And wins will lead to championships.  It’s an improvement-equals-success theory.

And it seems to be working.  San Francisco has only committed nine turnovers this year, and chances are they’re success will continue against St. Louis (3-5).  In fact, the Rams’ loss to the New England last week marked the third consecutive game the Rams didn’t force a takeaway.

Head coach Jeff Fisher had a chance to sound off on the stat.

“It’s highly unusual that in eight games and all the touches that are involved in eight games, our opponent has fumbled two balls and we’ve recovered one,” Fisher said.  “We need to place a great deal of emphasis on that and getting the ball back.”

It appears the Niners are in for another easy division win, especially after following a bye week.  Their well-rested, well healed and have the playmakers to run miles against the ineffective Rams defense.  Look for San Francisco to win big and more than the posted 11.5 spread.