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

The Rams won the last game played against the 49ers. Here's how they can extend the winning streak to two games:

By Bret Stuter

Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws a pass against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Samuel Womack III (0) for a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws a pass against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Samuel Womack III (0) for a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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(5) - Rams must target Colby Parkinson, Tutu Atwell, and Tyler Johnson

We had discussed how the offense must get tight ends involved in Week 3. But for this final slide, we want to expand the offense to include the seldom used offensive weapons who are suddenly thrust into prominent roles due to injuries. And you can bet that the 49ers defense is already well prepared to take both WR Demarcus Robinson and RB Kyren Williams out of circulation.

The Rams predictably emphasize experience. And that becomes even more predictable when the team begins to lose players to injury. In Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season, the injury to WR Cooper Kupp prompted the team to target WR Tutu Atwell and rookie WR Puka Nacua. When Nacua proved to be adept at hauling in Matthew Stafford passes, the team pivoted to emphasizing passes to Nacua.

But here we are again, with Cooper Kupp out in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season. So it falls to reason that the team will need to reroute the offense through alternative receivers. The most logical choice is to feature WR Demarcus Robinson. That is why the team cannot take the bait, as the 49ers are almost certain to rotate coverages to neutralize Robinson.

Combining the skillsets of Tyler Davis, Tutu Atwell, and Colby Parkinson is an effective way to counter the 49ers secondary. Parkinson is a big bodied tight end who can catch passes in traffic down the seam or across the middle. Tyler Davis is an unfamiliar WR who had success against the 49ers in Week 18, and he has a style that is quite similar to Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. And Tutu Atwell is the speed demon who can change the game's momentum with one reception, and his presence on the football field all but ensures the 49ers cannot load up the box with eight defenders.

Two tight ends with WR Tutu Atwell is the perfect offense. If the 49ers crowd the box, send Atwell on a deep route. If the 49ers play two deep coverage, run the football.

Yes, the Rams can win this game. Let's hope that they are unpredictable enough to do so.

As always, thanks for reading.

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