The 7-4 San Francisco 49ers last week seemed to finally pull their offense together, particularly quarterback Colin Kaepernick, just as they’re trying to cement their playoff position. The 5-6 St. Louis Rams, meanwhile, have struggled this season and are still stuck in last place in their division, but they’ve blown out their past two playoff-bound opponents, the Colts and Bears. Today the teams face off at 4:05pm EST / 1:05pm PST, the second time these teams have met this season. In their Week 4 showdown, San Francisco handily beat St. Louis 35-11, but the teams are in different places now nine weeks later. With playoff positioning on the line, the Rams visiting the 49ers could be an entertaining game to catch. If you can’t see the broadcast, you can watch Rams vs 49ers online free live stream using one of several different tools.
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was riding an early-season high the last time these teams faced off. He soon thereafter hit a mid-season rough patch that he didn’t full break through until last week against the Redskins on Monday Night Football. Kaepernick’s efficiency has been gradually improving — he now has the NFL’s sixth-best QBR — and for the season he’s completed 156 of his 275 passes for 2,037 yards and 14 touchdowns. While those numbers aren’t staggering, it’s his efficiency that’s made a big difference, and he’s also the 49ers second-leading rusher (355 yards) behind running back Frank Gore (779 yards).
Kaepernick’s numbers may improve during these last few remaining weeks of the season, starting today. San Francisco wide receiver Anquan Boldin lit-up the Rams secondary earlier this season, and Kaepernick has had half a season to continue to familiarize himself with his new receiving toy. More important to the 49ers QB’s numbers, though, is the possible return today of Michael Crabtree, whom 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh anticipates will be in the lineup against the Rams. Crabtree has been out all season after spending last year’s march to the Super Bowl as Kaepernick’s favorite target. Kaepernick has delivered victories with Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis alone, but he’s struggled without his favorite target against the league’s better secondaries.
And one of the better secondaries is not something you’ll see when you watch Rams vs 49ers online free live today. St. Louis has a below-average defense (ranked 19th in the league), and the Rams are allowing an average of 247 yards per game passing. But worse yet with Crabtree possibly returning to the 49ers lineup is that the Rams have a lot of questions in the secondary. Cornerback Trumaine Johnson has a concussion, Cortland Finnegan is on the injured reserve with an eye injury, and rookie safety T.J. McDonald still isn’t back to playing shape after returning from a broken leg he suffered the last time the Rams played the 49ers in Week 4.
So yes, Kaepernick’s 56.7 completion percentage ranks 31st in the league. Yes, his 185.2 passing yards per game ranks last among the 21 quarterbacks who qualify. And yes, the 49ers quarterback has 11 turnovers — five more than he had all of last year. But he’s getting his favorite target back in Crabtree, he’s playing at home, and his team is tied with Arizona for the division’s second wild-card spot. All of those factors, combined with a struggling Rams secondary, could lead to a repeat victory for the 49ers. The outcome may not be the same wide margin of victory, but there’s a reason the 49ers are favored in today’s game.
You can watch Rams vs 49ers online free live streaming on DirecTV’s website if you have the NFL Sunday Ticket with MAX Package. The package requires a subscription, but anyone who has one can watch the live streaming version free of any game, including today’s 4:05 EST / 1:05 PST NFL game between the St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers.
