The St. Louis Rams Dos and Don’ts: San Francisco 49ers

Sep 22, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) backs up to pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The Colts defeated the 49ers 27-7. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Leading up to Thursday Night Football, both the St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers see themselves in a season defining moment. One of the teams will start the first quarter of the season 2-2 and the other team a worrying 1-3. Both teams aren’t playing the way people were expecting heading into this season. Something we can expect after the game is that one of the two teams will be heavily under scrutiny. This is what the Rams have to do if they are to make a rebound this season, this week against the San Francisco 49ers.

DOs

Protect Sam Bradford. The offensive line was the strength of the Rams…..before week three. Before week three, the Rams didn’t give up a single sack. In week three, the Rams gave up six and went on only to score seven points. Bradford can’t keep taking a beating like that, otherwise it will be the 2011 Rams all over again.

Start fast. For some reason, the Rams don’t like starting the game in the first quarter. They have been outscored 13-51 in the first half, with 10 of those points coming from the Arizona Cardinals in week one. The Rams can’t afford to play the catch up game every week, if they want to be a real playoff contender.

DON’Ts

Don’t play off coverage. Hey Tim Walton, when there are five yards to defend a touchdown or a third down, don’t play the cornerbacks 10 yards off coverage! This is one of the main reasons why the Rams are the worst third down defense in the NFL, with a dismal 50 percent conversion rate.

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