Well we’re only a few hours away from kickoff, as the St. Louis Rams (0-3) go to Candlestick Park to take on their NFC West division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers (2-1).  The Rams are looking for their first win and the 49ers are coming off of a heartbreaking loss to the Minnesota Vikings on a last second TD pass from Brett Favre.  The Rams will be without their starting QB, Marc Bulger, and the former Baltimore Raven, Kyle Boller, will be the starter.  Their leading receiver, Laurent Robinson, is out for the season.  Their starting S, James Butler, is out for a couple of weeks with a knee sprain.  Their starting outside linebacker, David Vobora, is suspended for the next 4 games due to violating the league’s substance rules.  RT Jason Smith is listed as doubtful, and Adam Goldberg would play in his place.  CB Ron Bartell is hurting and may or may not suit up, putting the pressure on Justin King and Bradley Fletcher to have to step up.  Only 3 weeks into the season and there are problems galore.  So here are a few keys to the game that the Rams need to accomplish in order to have a chance to win what very well could be a difficult game.

Force A Turnover – The Rams defense has been decent at bending but not breaking until late in the game.  Part of it, I believe, is fatigue from having so many snaps per game on defense.  And part of it is that they have to force turnovers.  O.J. Atogwe is getting gameplanned against, so expect backup SS Craig Dahl to get targeted if the 49ers choose to go downfield (which isn’t really in their offensive strategy).  They like to pound the rock, and Glen Coffee will be getting the carries, so the key is to hit the rookie hard and hopefully pop out a fumble.  Shaun Hill is a very composed QB (he beat the Rams in the Edward Jones Dome on a very good final drive), so expect him to make good throws when he’s asked to.  But the Rams defense has got to get off of the field AND they’re also tasked with making a stagnant offense better by giving them good field position.  That happens with takeaways.

Stop, Drop, and Catch! – Donnie Avery and Randy McMichael are officially on notice.  I think the Madden 10 updates reflect their respective catching problems because they both drop a lot when I play with the Rams, and they’re dropping a lot in real life.  Steven Jackson has been doing his job, and the offense has been getting keyed through him.  But for any offense to succeed, they have to be able to air it out successfully.  And there need to be weapons to do that.  With Robinson out for the season, the Rams have to depend on Boller’s new relationship with TE Daniel Fells, and hope that the two most “experienced” receivers on the field step it up and make some plays.  Otherwise the offense will continue to sputter.

Stop the Man in Locks – Vernon Davis is having his career year.  The Rams are having problems with big plays, especially from the TE.  The guys who would be covering the TE, Butler and Vobora, are both out.  Reportedly, Paris Lenon will get the nod at outside linebacker, and so he will need to do a good job and Dahl will also need to watch the seam.  Davis is finally putting it all together under Mike Singletary, so that matchup becomes of huge importance.

Compete Early – Boller was able to get the game as close as 23-17.  Take away the early 9 gimme points on 3 early turnovers and maybe it’s 17-14 and a completely different game.  The Rams must avoid digging themselves an early hole, and they must establish some offensive confidence.  The more mobile Boller should help with that, but he needs to be able to throw it to guys who are getting open – here’s looking at you, Donnie!  Either way, the defense always comes out aggressive and the offense comes out comparatively flat.  They have got to raise the intensity, because the 49ers defense will be flying to the ball and playing very aggressively.  Being flat-footed against this defense will get you rocked (just ask Matt Hasselbeck).

Team/Player Photos: St. Louis Rams Team / Player Photos on Jul 24, 2010

Key Matchup – Steven Jackson vs. Patrick Willis.  The focal point of the offense vs. the focal point of the defense.  If you like violent collisions, just wait for these two to find each other in the hole.  Willis might be the most violent hitter west of the Mississippi River, and Jackson is one of the best backs on either side of the Mississippi.  Jackson could get a good stiff arm on him, but if it’s a straight ahead 1 on 1 battle, I think Willis wins.  But the offense must put a body on Willis to give Jackson a chance to make any plays.

Prediction – Neither offense lights it up.  They both actually get the amount of yards per game, but the Rams just don’t score.  The 49ers run a more effective offense, and expect the Rams defense to keep 8 in the box to play against the run and to send some extravagant blitzes to rattle a very ordinary 49ers offense.  Expect the same for the 49ers against the pedestrian Rams offense.  Winning teams find a way to win, and the Rams don’t know how to win yet – but it will be a close game.  But this is my blog and if I go 0-16 being a homer, then so be it – Rams 23, 49ers 14.