Rams defense readying for another rematch against 49ers QB Mac Jones

In Week 10, the Los Angeles Rams have a chance to face their NFC West Division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. In this one, the Rams appear to be the healthier of the two teams once more. But this is a division rivalry, which means toss records and injury reports out the window. Either team can emerge victorious.

The last time around, Los Angeles was mildly surprised at the poise and proficiency of 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones. The 49ers were short-handed, but that may have worked in their favor. Jones was crisply accurate, connecting with backup wide receiver Kendrick Bourne on 10-of-11 passes for 141 yards.

The Rams limited running back Christian McCaffrey to 57 yards on 22 carries, but he added to the aerial assault by hauling in eight of nine passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Jones picked apart the secondary with a scripted short-yardage passing attack that never allowed the pass rush to find its range, as well as neutralizing the better-than-the-brochure safeties. Los Angeles allowed 26 points in overtime in this one, and it was arguably the worst performance of the defense all season.

Don't discount Rams reinforcements returning for this one

Little was said in the post-game about the Rams offense sitting starting right tackle Rob Havenstein and tight end Tyler Higbee in Week 5. They will be back, and the team anticipates the return of both wide receiver Puka Nacua (chest) and Darious Williams (shoulder).

The 49ers expect to get WR Ricky Pearsall back for this one. But that could be both a boon and a bane, as he has not played much with Jones under center. And the Niners added low-risk pass rusher Keion White in hopes of recharging a pedestrian pass rush. For the season, San Fran has 11 quarterback sacks.

Rams outside linebacker Byron Young has 9.0 quarterback sacks himself.

Both teams recorded just one sack apiece in their first confrontation. But the Week 10 rematch will be won or lost on offense, not sacks.

Since that Week 5 setback, LA has gone on to win the next three games. It's done so by discovering the power of playing multiple tight end sets. It was a heavy dose of 13 personnel (three tight end formations) that has allowed the offense to dominate in the past two games. The Horns have come out on top by a combined score of 69-17 in the past two games.

The biggest question mark about this game is who will be kicking field goals for Los Angeles?

The 49ers are not an easy victory. But even as they get healthier on offense, their defense has been struck by an injury outbreak. Since Week 5, they have lost inside linebacker Fred Warner and Yetur Gross-Matos to injured reserve, joining Nick Bosa.

The Rams need this win, not just to improve to 7-2, but to avoid falling behind on almost every NFC playoff tiebreaker before they have 10 games under their belts. Jones got the better of the Yellow and Blue in Week 5. Now, it's veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford who plans to emerge as the victor.

As always, thanks for reading.