Yes, the LA Rams can pull off an upset win in Week 3, and here's how:

(3) - Rams ILBs must aggressively stuff the run

The LA Rams may or may not have realized what parting ways with veteran ILB Ernest Jones would mean to their defense. But starting ILB Troy Reeder has played 126 defensive snaps, made 16 tackles, missed two tackles, and has yet to make a single tackle for a loss. That is rather disappointing for a guy who commands the heart of the Rams defense.

In pass coverage, Reeder has allowed four of six passes thrown to his receiver to find their mark.

His partner in crime, ILB Christian Rozeboom, is even more disappointing. In 97 defensive snaps, Rozeboom has made a total of 13 tackles, missed five tackles, and has no tackles for a loss. Nada. Zilch. In pass coverage, Rozeboom has allowed eight of nine passes to find their mark. And we know that the 49er offense loves to work the middle of the football field.

That's not a great setup for Week 3.

Ideally, I'd love to see the Rams elevate rookie ILB Omar Speights to start this week. While young and in experienced, he is a sure-handed tackler who knows where to be, how to stuff runs, and how to get the defense off the field. Right now, neither Troy Reeder nor Christian Rozeboom are cutting it.

In all honesty, it doesn't matter to me who plays the inside linebacker position. My only expectation is that they do not take up position four or five yards off the line of scrimmage, await the ball carrier to get to them, and then let the running back carry them an additional three to six yards downfield. Right now, that is what the team is getting out of their current ILBs. That is, if they record a tackle at all.

That cannot happen this week. The Rams defense has to shut down the 49ers rushing attack early in this game. If not, the Rams will not only risk losing the game. The Rams offense could lose more offensive weapons in their earnest attempts to come from behind and win the game.