San Francisco 49ers: Game-by-game predictions for the 2019 season

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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Week 6: @ Los Angeles Rams

Even if they get off to a hot start, inevitably San Francisco will fade. A short week (after Monday Night Football) and a little hangover from the big win sets them up for a letdown in Los Angeles.

The Rams are due for some significant regression this season. Any team that reaches the Super Bowl generally gets talent poached and the Rams traded a lot of draft capital to improve their team last season.

With limited flexibility for upgrades, the Rams are going to have to rely on internal development, but many of their players are coming off career seasons and are due for some regression. I’m not alone in this, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell named the Rams one of the five teams most likely to decline.

But, the Rams set the bar high last year. They are still a very good team and remain a difficult matchup for the 49ers. San Francisco’s flaws on the interior of their line of scrimmage are really exposed to Aaron Donald and interior pressure can paralyze an offense.

The Niners take their first loss of the season.

Prediction: L 28-9 (4-1)