NFC West? Anyone’s Guess

10/04/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

Deebo Samuel & 49ers Rip Apart Rams on Monday Night Football (24-9); All 4 NFC West Teams Now 2-2

 

Another year, another rough road ahead for the NFC West. In recent history, the division has eaten itself alive from the inside out by pummeling each other in one of the toughest divisions in football. That seems to be the case in 2022. The defending champion L.A. Rams traveled up the coast to San Francisco on Monday Night Football, but it was Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers who stole the show. Jimmy G (16/27, 239 yards, 1 TD) dumped the ball off to human highlight reel Deebo Samuel (6 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD) who accounted for 1/3 of San Francisco’s offense. For the Rams, the offense moved the football but settled for nothing but field goals all night. Rams QB Matthew Stafford was sacked seven times, including two apiece from Nick Bosa and Samson Ebukam. It was 14-9 in the fourth quarter before the Niners put the game out of reach.

 

QB Comparison

J. Garoppolo (SF): 16/27, 239 yards, 1 TD

M. Stafford (LAR): 32/48, 254 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT

 

QB Pressure

49ers: 17 Pressures | 7 Sacks

Rams: 4 Pressures | 0 Sacks

 

Watch: 49ers Defense Stifles Rams on MNF (24-9)

 

The NFC West Test

With all four teams in the division sitting at 2-2, it’s anybody’s guess who holds the edge. San Francisco lost QB Trey Lance, but Garoppolo has kept the train moving. Geno Smith and the Seahawks appear more formidable than most thought. And the Cardinals and Rams still have high-powered offensive potential. The division sent three teams to the playoffs last season. Expect more of the same in 2022. If that is, they don’t cannibalize each other all year.

 

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: 49ers Defense Clamps Down, Deebo Does the Rest

ESPN: Rams’ Bobby Wagner Flattens Fan Who Evades Security on Field in MNF

Yahoo! Sports: DeMeco Ryans’ 49ers Defense Sucks the Life Out of Sean McVay’s Rams Offense