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Here are seven things to watch when the Rams play the San Francisco 49ers at 3:05 p.m. Sunday KTVI Channel 2):
FAREWELL CANDLESTICK
This is the last season for the 49ers in Candlestick Park, their home since 1971. They move into their new $1.2 billion playpen in Santa Clara — Levi’s Stadium — next season. As such, that makes this the last game for the Rams at the ‘Stick, where they are 5-12-1 since the move to St. Louis in 1995. Todd “Crazylegs” Kinchen once kicked goal posts here: Mike Martz once brandished a broom after sweeping the season series. Several years after the move, fans still wore gear that read: “Los Angeles” Rams.
GANG’S ALL HERE
Michael Crabtree, the closest thing the 49ers have to a No. 1 wideout, is expected to make his 2013 debut Sunday after suffering a torn Achilles back in May. He’s not expected to play every snap — he may not even play many snaps — but when he’s on the field the Rams have something else to worry about. Meanwhile, Mario Manningham is rounding into form after spending the first eight games on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list because of a knee injury. He caught four passes Monday vs. Washington.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
The 49ers may diversify the passing game with Crabtree and Manningham back in the mix, but it’s a good bet they continue to lean heavily on WR Anquan Boldin and TE Vernon Davis. Boldin and Davis have combined for 57.3 percent of the 49ers’ catches; 65.7 percent of their reception yards; and all 14 TD catches in 2013. In theory, the lopsided nature of those numbers makes the ‘Niners easier to defend. “It’s still tough because you still have to defend the run game,” defensive coordinator Tim Walton said.
GORE-D
Speaking of the run, Frank Gore undoubtedly has some bounce to his step knowing that the Rams are coming to town. The 49ers’ all-time rushing leader had 153 yards on the ground and a TD when the teams met in late September. Against the rest of the league, Gore has been much less of a superhero this season, averaging a modest 62.6 rushing yards per game. The Rams have played good run defense in four of their last five games. This will be another telling test of their ability to perform consistently.
CHASING COLIN
Even though he isn’t running the read-option nearly as much as he did as a rookie, San Fran QB Colin Kaepernick still has 355 yards rushing, 3 rushing TDs, and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He wasn’t a factor on the ground (three carries, 11 yards) in September against the Rams, but overlooking his running ability would be a big mistake. After struggling in the air against New Orleans and Carolina, Kaepernick posted a season-high passer rating of 134.5 against Washington, including 3 TDs.
ALDON ALERT
Even after missing five games while receiving treatment for substance abuse problems, 49ers LB Aldon Smith has more sacks (40) than anyone in the NFL since the start of 2011. Smith dropped Robert Griffin III twice for sacks Monday in his third game since returning from the leave of absence. “He looks like he’s back and playing really well,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “Obviously, you have a plan for him, but it still comes down to the ability just to block him.” Easier said than done.
BIG PLAY TAVON
Can he keep it up? WR/return man Tavon Austin has scored four TDs of 57 yards-plus in his last two games and was named NFC special teams player of the month for November. The 49ers played a fair amount of “off” coverage against the Redskins, so there could be some opportunities for Austin and the rest of the Rams’ receivers if the pass-blocking holds up. The 49ers rank eighth in the league in kickoff coverage and 13th in punt coverage, so Austin must earn anything he gets in the return game.
Here are seven things to watch when the Rams play the San Francisco 49ers at 3:05 p.m. Sunday KTVI Channel 2):
FAREWELL CANDLESTICK
This is the last season for the 49ers in Candlestick Park, their home since 1971. They move into their new $1.2 billion playpen in Santa Clara — Levi’s Stadium — next season. As such, that makes this the last game for the Rams at the ‘Stick, where they are 5-12-1 since the move to St. Louis in 1995. Todd “Crazylegs” Kinchen once kicked goal posts here: Mike Martz once brandished a broom after sweeping the season series. Several years after the move, fans still wore gear that read: “Los Angeles” Rams.
GANG’S ALL HERE
Michael Crabtree, the closest thing the 49ers have to a No. 1 wideout, is expected to make his 2013 debut Sunday after suffering a torn Achilles back in May. He’s not expected to play every snap — he may not even play many snaps — but when he’s on the field the Rams have something else to worry about. Meanwhile, Mario Manningham is rounding into form after spending the first eight games on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list because of a knee injury. He caught four passes Monday vs. Washington.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
The 49ers may diversify the passing game with Crabtree and Manningham back in the mix, but it’s a good bet they continue to lean heavily on WR Anquan Boldin and TE Vernon Davis. Boldin and Davis have combined for 57.3 percent of the 49ers’ catches; 65.7 percent of their reception yards; and all 14 TD catches in 2013. In theory, the lopsided nature of those numbers makes the ‘Niners easier to defend. “It’s still tough because you still have to defend the run game,” defensive coordinator Tim Walton said.
GORE-D
Speaking of the run, Frank Gore undoubtedly has some bounce to his step knowing that the Rams are coming to town. The 49ers’ all-time rushing leader had 153 yards on the ground and a TD when the teams met in late September. Against the rest of the league, Gore has been much less of a superhero this season, averaging a modest 62.6 rushing yards per game. The Rams have played good run defense in four of their last five games. This will be another telling test of their ability to perform consistently.
CHASING COLIN
Even though he isn’t running the read-option nearly as much as he did as a rookie, San Fran QB Colin Kaepernick still has 355 yards rushing, 3 rushing TDs, and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He wasn’t a factor on the ground (three carries, 11 yards) in September against the Rams, but overlooking his running ability would be a big mistake. After struggling in the air against New Orleans and Carolina, Kaepernick posted a season-high passer rating of 134.5 against Washington, including 3 TDs.
ALDON ALERT
Even after missing five games while receiving treatment for substance abuse problems, 49ers LB Aldon Smith has more sacks (40) than anyone in the NFL since the start of 2011. Smith dropped Robert Griffin III twice for sacks Monday in his third game since returning from the leave of absence. “He looks like he’s back and playing really well,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “Obviously, you have a plan for him, but it still comes down to the ability just to block him.” Easier said than done.
BIG PLAY TAVON
Can he keep it up? WR/return man Tavon Austin has scored four TDs of 57 yards-plus in his last two games and was named NFC special teams player of the month for November. The 49ers played a fair amount of “off” coverage against the Redskins, so there could be some opportunities for Austin and the rest of the Rams’ receivers if the pass-blocking holds up. The 49ers rank eighth in the league in kickoff coverage and 13th in punt coverage, so Austin must earn anything he gets in the return game.