Bleacher Report fawning over this Rams rival's offense is a bit embarrassing

The Los Angeles Rams offense did not achieve its goals in 2024. The team only managed to put up 21.6 points per game, good enough for a sub-par 20th ranking among NFL offenses (in points scored). And yes, let's not ignore the fact that the Rams' opportunistic defense was more than happy to add points to the scoreboard. But the Rams' offense was not at full strength for much of the 2024 season.

The team played six games without WR Puka Nacua, five games without WR Cooper Kupp, and 14 games without TE Tyler Higbee, and had to endure countless reiterations of the starting offensive line due to injuries throughout the season. The Rams finished 15th in total offense (yards gained) in 2024

Compare that to the San Francisco 49ers offense, which had to play 10 games without WR Brandon Aiyuk, six games from rookie WR Ricky Pearsall, and 14 games without RB Christian McCaffrey. Gone are WR Deebo Samuel and RBs Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason. The 49ers finished fourth overall in yards gained and 14th overall in terms of points scored.

But Bleacher Report is so star-struck over QB Brock Purdy's new contract that they have the 49ers' offense ranked as the second best offense in the NFL. It seems that only the 49ers were negatively impacted by injuries last season. And better still, only the 49ers will find addition by subtaction in 2025.

That same Bleacher Report article has the Rams at 13, behind the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys. Hmm, okay?

The 49ers are not going to gain more yards than the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, or Tampa Bay Buccaneers offenses. Counting on a 17-game season out of RB Christian McCaffrey is like trying to tell time via a sundial. In 45 games with the 49ers, McCaffrey has suited up for 31 games. That continues the durability concerns that led to the Carolina Panthers parting ways with him. In 86 possible games with the Pathers, he suited up for 64 gams.

Is McCaffrey still the same guy?

Suddenly, the injury-prone running back will become the Iron Man of durability at 29 years old? I'm skeptical. And let's not anoint McCaffrey as Superman just yet. His presence aided the 49ers to rush over 2,300 yards in 2022 and 2023, and average 23 touchdowns over that period. But his absence still left the 49ers rushing for nearly 2,200 yards and 17 touchdowns. And the 49ers' passing game was every bit as proficient in 2024 as in previous seasons.

When McCaffrey arrived on the 49ers roster, he had a transformational impact. But is he still that same guy? Since he leveled up the 49ers offense, the Baltimore Ravens followed suit by adding RB Derrick Henry, and the Philadelphia Eagles followed suit by adding RB Saquon Barkley. I would argue that both Henry and Barkley have more impactful roles in their respective offenses.

McCaffrey is very good when healthy for the 49ers. But the 49ers offense can get impressive rushing yards regardless of who is behind the quarterback.

Who will replace the 1000+ yards of offense that versatile RB/WR Deebo Samuel seemed to generate for the 49ers each year?

Yes, the 49ers offense will feast on some of the worst NFL defenses from 2024. But let's not presume that those teams have not made efforts to improve their defenses. Of eight players drafted by the Carolina Panthers, four are rookie defenders whose job will be improving the 32nd-ranked defense in 2025.

The Rams will do better than the BR projection of a 13th-ranked offense. They completely discounted the absence of stars from the lineup in 2024 and made no mention of Stafford's rib injury that squelched his production over the last four games.

Similarly, the same BR article lended far too much significance to the 49ers injuries. What of the loss of Deebo Samuel? Bleacher report suggests that rookie WR Ricky Pearsall and RB Christian McCaffrey will more than compensate for Samuel's loss. Pearsall put up 400 yards in 11 games. I think it's wiser to wait for him to prove his capability than just anoint him. He was supposed to outperform Puka Nacua's record-setting rookie season in 2024.

Pearsall did not meet expectations in 2024. I see no reason to raise the bar and believe he can deliver in 2025.

As always, thanks for reading.

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