Keys To Beating The 49ers, Breaking Down The Rams’ Run Defense & More | Between The Horns

Keys To Beating The 49ers, Breaking Down The Rams’ Run Defense & More | Between The Horns

Welcome back to Between the Horns presented by your Southern California Toyota dealers. I’m feeling so stoked to be sitting next to this crew. We’ve got JV Long and Demarco Far. I’m Cameron Irwin and man, coming off over there. I know. Roll rehearsal. We’re missing one. I’ll be happy to be the fourth man in this group. Absolutely. Come on. Cameron, take the wheel. Yes. Coming off the win uh against the Indianapolis Colts with a quick turnaround short week. We’ve got the none other 49ers coming into the Rams house. Before we get into this though, I feel like we got to look back and celebrate the noise, the octave that was hitting Sofi Stadium just a few days ago. It was superb. Super loud in there. Uh Rams fans should be proud. And I was saying this to the fans that were there early in the game. I said, you know, the louder you get, the better Jared Verse and company will play. uh you are a part of this as well. Um and they played like gang busters. So it was super loud down there, it was a very physical football game, it was a heck of a win. Um but you have to put all that aside because this is the only week that matters. You know how I feel. But you’re saying that for Jared to attack the center the way that he did, yes, can only happen when you’re in your home environment, when you have crowd noise. This is like we said, uh, what you did versus Philly, not to bring up old things, uh, it was the worst environment for you. They weren’t for you. You’re on grass. You, you go home, you’ve got crowd noise on your surface. You should get off. And that’s exactly what you saw. The crowd brought it. They brought it. Let’s keep bringing it. Cameron, my family, my friends, our guests, they all said that was one of the loudest game day environments they had been a part of. You’re down there on the field. Was that true to you, too? Without question. Yeah. At one point I actually I have to wear double in ears because it it’s so loud and it didn’t do enough last week and it was incredible. At one point I took it out and I’m like is this is this for real? Like it was astonishing down there and it gave me chills especially in the fourth quarter. You’re sitting there going oh this is what a home crowd environment feels like and it really paid dividends in that coach say the standard is the standard now right? That’s what they gave us. That’s what we’re expecting now every week. There you go. Yes sir. Love it. Well heading into week five a couple things. Shout outs to the offense and defensive side of the ball. Uh Rams head in with the highest graded offense into week five and the second highest graded defense into week five. I mean, this team is looking pretty solid. Wow. I I didn’t know that. I The offense has gone up to second highest rated offense in the league. Wow. First Oh, first highest rated. Defense is second, man. Well, I guess through I I look at things through a defensive lens first and foremost. and to see them get better week in and week out and the communication is getting the tackling was outstanding. That’s the one thing uh the mark of a good defense is pursuit and tackling. When you turn on that tape and you watch uh when there’s allout pursuit and when you stop it at the end of the play, you’ll see at least 10 Rams surrounding the football within a yard and a half of it. That’s pursuit. And they’re all getting guys on the ground. And then when it comes time to rush the passer, they’ve got guys that can flat out just win. Byron Young is having a great year. Jared Verse is the most physical edge player in the league and he’s turning into one of the best down linemen in the league. He can line up anywhere. So, when you see those guys continue to get better, uh, no shock that you’re going to go up in the rankings. Was pursuit the word that I just heard you use? Pursuit. How about Byron Young? I felt like I was watching National Geographic with the way that he changed Daniel Jones’s day. Oh man. I mean, look, okay, it was the read that was phenomenal. the speed. We We all know that he can run. Since he was drafted, we we knew the guy could run. It was the read and react. I know what you’re doing. I’ve seen this before and I’m going to beat you to the spot. Daniel Jones can run and he flat got run down. So, when you start seeing that stuff as an OC, okay, well, we can’t run this against this guy unless we set it up perfectly. So, watching him get better is like a a microcosm for the rest of the defense. They are growing up and they are ready for prime time. I mean, I just appreciate so much the physical sacrifice that a lot of these guys are making, especially on a short week. I think of two names in particular. Jared Verse, I think, dislocated a finger on his way to strip sacking Daniel Jones to help the Rams clinch that, pop that thing back in there, and was back out there for the next rep. And we’re to the point with Puka Nua now where the game almost doesn’t start until he makes his first trip to the locker room and comes back bigger, faster, and stronger. A few hands saw some damage this weekend. I mean, it it is incredible. And I I just I cannot articulate how much I admire it and respect it. And yeah, the Rams could very well be 4-0, but I think 3 and 0 is a very fair representation of the way they’ve played so far. And the opportunity in front of them this week uh makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Like it seems like every time the Niners and the Rams get together, LA has a chance to throw a little bit of dirt on a fragile 49ers team. And they’re banged up now and they’re coming off their first loss of the season. M but I also know that the schedule they have is the easiest in the National Football League. So if you let them get out of your place with a win, they would be 3-0 against the division. They’d be 4- one overall. You cannot let that happen. And that’s kind of the backdrop that I take into this Thursday night. I love his mentality. See, it’s everything. I I don’t care how banged up they are. They’re still great to me until you beat them. Without question. I was going to say there is still danger anytime you face the San Francisco 49ers. Um, but thinking on verse two, a season high six pressures. This is what’s wild. Three of which came in under two and a half seconds. That’s just how quick he was moving. Yeah. I I I love the thing what you said about the the finger being popped back in because as it’s happening, he he’s giving his hand to the training staff to like, “Hey, fix this thing.” And he’s continuing to watch what’s going on on the field. Are you done? Can I go back? Yes. Dude, I mean, that’s that’s taken it to a whole new level. Um, yeah, there’s some things that he needs to work out discipline-wise, but we said the same thing about another certain someone that used to play here wearing number 99. Um, he earned the right to freelance. Production equal tolerance. So, I mean, he’s got some of the best instincts that we’ve seen. and he’s absolutely physical as a player and and the head-to-head with Trent Williams is one of those matchups in professional football that I would pay to see in person cuz it’s not going to last forever, but this is another iteration of it and it’s going to be everything it’s hyped up to be. I I’m so glad you said that. So, like the 49ers and most of the talk this week is who’s not there, but let’s talk about who is. He is one of the best. He’s still that guy. So, when I give Jared Verse props for being physical, well, this is the other guy. uh his punch is second to none. If he gets those paws on you, you’re going to react and it’s not going to feel good. So, and for a guy like Josiah Stewart, if you want to get to where these other two guys are, this is what they had to go through. You’re going to have to go through you know what to to get to him. So, when you do load up, and this is what every team has done to stop McCaffrey and you force Brock Pury or whoever’s back there to throw the football. Yeah. I mean, that’s a win for the defense, but you still got to get around him. You still have to get around one of the best in the business. Overunder, one and a half penalties on the offensive tackles for San Francisco this Thursday night. Some combination of false start and holding. That’s what I’m gonna have my eye on. How much pressure can you put on them as pass blockers, as pass protectors in your home stadium? I, you know, if the if the Rams crowd and those edge rushers force a false start, I may break character and and clap, too. I mean, that that says a lot, but holding almost a guarantee with the way they’re playing, they’re going to have to reach out and grab one of those guys. I love it. You guys are already unveiling what the 49ers match up. I feel like do we do we take some time to at least relive a little bit of Sunday before we look ahead? Welcome to your first Between the Horns of 2025. We don’t stick to the script anymore. Sorry. No, at this point I will respect the fact that the paper is in your hand this week and I’m playing left-handed. I love it. I absolutely love it. Uh I just feel like we have to give credit where credit is due and that’s none other to uh Matthew Stafford. Just another impressive fourth quarter comeback. His 39th of his career. Uh you saw him three touchdowns, zero interceptions, a QBR of 123ish. Uh just an impressive play. And to think he only had four passing yards in the third quarter and still came away with 375 yards. Just how clutch was Stafford on Sunday. Super clutch. Uh you know, that’s the not to before we get heap on the praise and he deserves all praise. Um he makes game days so much easier. He makes Saturdays and Wednesdays so much easier. you know, having a guy like that on your football team, how special he is. But I just I don’t know what happened in that third quarter. We were talking about it during the game, like how did everything just all of a sudden come to a halt. Thankfully, it was in both directions. Yeah, both directions, right? It was just a weird thing. But when it matters most, when you need a play, uh if you give him too much time, same thing you say about Mahomes or all the greatest quarterbacks in this league, if you give Stafford enough time to beat you, he’s going to. Yeah. uh if if you challenge him or talk trash to the wrong guy, him in particular, he’s going to make you pay. He is as petty as any of the great quarterbacks you’ve ever seen. And he’s got arm talent like you wouldn’t believe. So played his butt off and I thought what he did against Lu um you may not talk about it. You can say that he had a great game, but he did not let Lu the fact that he was winning derail him. Okay, you win here, I step here. You win there, I step here. You may be winning. You may be in on me, but you’re not getting sacks. You’re wasting rushes. That is the most frustrating thing in the world. It drives you crazy as a pass rusher. I’m winning. I’m winning. I’m winning. And I’ve got almost nothing to show for it. It just burns you up. I’m humble enough to know that no one would ever want to clone me. But if that were to ever happen, I hope that JB 2.0 is everything that Matthew Stafford 2.0 has been so far this season for the Los Angeles Rams. He is the best quarterback in the league through a month against pressure. He’s the best deep ball thrower in the league after the month of September. And it’s way too early for individual award conversations on both sides of the ball. But he but if he has a Thursday night like I know he’s capable of, I’m going to be back in this seat or maybe that one next week saying some pretty crazy things about Matthew Stafford. I promise you that. Three letters in particular, maybe. Yeah, without question. He’s actually on pace to end the season in the top five career passing yards category. That might just seal the deal. Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But throw all the numbers out because like Yeah, that was his longest touchdown pass to 22 and 375 was his most prolific passing game as a Ram. But like watch Miked Up, right? Watch Mike. Forget all the numbers. Watch Miked Up. That’s why that guy’s going to count. Careful who you talk to. You know who you talk trash to. He is him. He is him. He is that guy. Yes, sir. Another he is him coming out of this game and actually throughout the season. Puka Nakua. And congratulations, Puka just named the NFC offensive player of the week. And not surprising, he had over a hundred yards before he even got to halftime. Like, you want to talk about some numbers for this guy, leading the NFL in receiving yards, uh, receptions, yards per game, it just goes on and on. But I want to go back to just the competitive fire. I think you can see it with certain athletes when you simply decide, I am not losing this game. And I feel like you saw that switch get flipped for Puka Nakua. You think back to that third and 13 and then the fourth and two touchdown play. He simply decided we’re winning this game. The touchdown to me is what stands out. I mean, a lot of things stand out with him. He is he’s such a hammer and there’s so many things you can do with him and you’ve got problems before and after the catch and a physical price to pay when you’re bearing down on him. you know, depending on if you’re a safety or a corner coming on an angle, you better hit that thing right. You know what I mean? If not, that could hurt. Uh, number two, he could bounce off you and go. Um, his confidence is growing and it’s fun to watch him grow as a player. So, he goes and he’s the understudy and now he’s the leading man and now he knows he’s the leading freaking man and it doesn’t seem like he’s looking to slow down at any point. So, um, I love the way they use him. I love the way he plays the game. I thought the touchdown was the one. It was It was a physical style touchdown that gets everybody into it and demoralizes them. Uh if you can keep that up, um yeah, I I I think all the praise that he’s getting is is going to be more than deserved. I think the Rams became a more difficult team to defend last Sunday and and Puka has been every part of this offense so far this season. But when you can cross face and win in the red zone and your quarterback can put it on your face mask and you know that you can win, that’s the element that’s been lacking so far through four games, finishing drives, finishing on short fields. And when you have Puka Nua and Matthew Stafford knowing that that’s available to them and you have Devonte on the other side who can win one-on-one and you know that you’ve got the sledgehammer and Kairen Williams and we haven’t felt the full force of that short area run game yet. That’s where I think they can really blow the lid off of this thing. And for all the great things that Puka has done through parts of three seasons and they have been record setting, he’s not found the end zone much. And that was probably the biggest complaint for Rams fans and fantasy football owners alike. He got in the box last week and and that wasn’t by accident and the way the fashion that he did that. That’s what I mean by I say I think defensive coordinators are losing sleep this week because they’ve unlocked that part of their offense. You talked about unlocking something and something of note. As I’m listening to the radio broadcast, you guys mentioned just the difficulty for pass catching from some of those tailbacks against the Colts. Why were they looking that direction? And is that another maybe piece to this offense that really can be a differencemaker having the offense is going to grow? Right now, it’s two guys in the passing game and a hell of a running game. It’s It’s going to be I I think I hope it’s a Shawn McVey offense. It’s going to become more multiple, isn’t it? Or can it just run through two guys? I think they’re layering in tendencies. Yeah. I think they’re putting tape down that will be built off of week after week and month after month from from here on out. Like they are dictating terms run and pass right now in a way that Yeah. As they get deeper into their game plan and their scheduling, I think they’re only going to have more levels to this thing. Yeah. But like it’s not just 2 going for 88, it’s 2 destroying Mike Hilton and earning a pass interference. Like you have that dimension of your wide receiver three and you have Jordan Whittington. shout out. Happy birthday, by the way, playing as a as an extra tight end, wide receiver, three. And and that all blends into the efficiency of the running game, which is probably the most underrated dimension um of the Rams so far, the way that they’ve been able to get what they need on the ground. Uh look, um they have been running the football. Um the five guys up front are doing a great job in their combo blocks. I think the running backs, uh, in particular, Kairen and Blake Cororm, the way they’re timing things up and setting things up and the rhythm at which they start running, like you said, there’s a lot of data. They’re they’re attacking defenses that gives Matthew Stafford and Shawn McVey the ability to throw off play action, but it’s not like you’re forcing the ball to just Devonte and Puka. They’re open. Uh, if Devonte Adams is open, that should be at the top of your game plan. Get the ball to him. Get the ball to Puka Nua. though I don’t think you’re forcing it. I think they’re just that good. And if you can somehow grow underneath and keep the running game going, like you said, I agree with you, man. You’re going to keep some of these DCs up at night trying to figure out I don’t think we have enough guys to cover what they can do. Two quick follow-ups on that. If you want target share distributed to like your third and your fourth targets, then you need the pass protection to allow Matthew Stafford to get that deep in his progression. Every pass concept is going to be one two puka Devonte for obvious reasons. And and I think the lack of pass pros so far is why their target share looks the way that it does. And then the other thing somewhat related is if you want to know why Kairen Williams has been on the field every single Sunday for just about every snap for three years running now, go watch the way he pass protected in that Colts game. Yes. And why he has the utmost trust and confidence of all of his coaches and his quarterback. I love the way he plays the game. I really do. Um every team needs a Kairen. The dude plays with fire. You’ve seen his hair, right? It does look like his hair is on fire sometimes. It really does. Yeah. So, that’s the way he plays. I mean, that run where he crosses from what, like the left numbers all the way to the right side of the field, gives the stiff arm and the point, like that is Come on now. That’s what play energy is to me when you talk about Kron Williams play energy. That is I want to see that as much as we saw Squan jumping somebody backwards, right? Yeah. That’s that was just as good. Yes. I think that play has seen just as much play on social media as a uh potentially Saquon backwards and who he did it too. Oh, it was even Yeah. Oh, it’s fantastic. Uh maybe a position we could say is somewhat underserved in terms of their targets this season. Maybe we don’t really need it quite yet is that tight end position. Just something I noticed uh just four combined targets in the first half for all tight ends. But then on that game tying touchdown, four targets on that single drive alone. And that was a combo of Higgby Parkinson as well as Allen. It’s coming. This is like the fullback and a wishbone offense. You have a function right now. We’re we’re we’re making it happen. Your job is protection. But at some point, we’re going to feed you a little bit. Just not right now. That was the tempo drive. That’s when they opened it up and they got to tempo and and they were being asked to do different things in that schematic than they have been for much of the first month of the year. Yep. All right. Well, let’s talk a little offensive line. Will we see Steve? Will he be back in the mix this week? I believe full participant is what I saw in the injury report as of yesterday. Yeah. How does that change things even though you you did like Dedic in there? I I I love the I love the story of Dedish. I really do. He’s he’s undersized. He seems like a guy you just can’t get rid of. And I’m telling you, from my perspective, he’s the worst type of dude to play against because as a guard, you want him short and stocky. You really do. And all they do is jump in your chest and and make life miserable for you. But I you seeing Steve on on the bench, you know, fully padded, ready to go. Um that’s an encouraging sign. And when he’s out there, you you’re more physical. He’s a bigger dude and he likes to throw his body around. Cannot wait until he’s reinserted in the lineup. But like you said, when you’re running the football and you’re having success, it’s hard to make a switch in there. But at some point, it’s inevitable. He’s one of the best O linemen you have, he’ll find his way to the football field. Yeah, not my decision to make. My guess is probably no. I don’t think you mess with continuity especially on a short week. Dedish had his best game of the season and also if he is still speaking of Steve less than 100% if you’re able to hold him out on Thursday night and still get that win he gets an extra 10 days to hopefully be 100% going to Baltimore. I do think for the Rams to be at their best he needs to be playing left guard just like I feel like for the Rams to reach their ceiling. Terrence Ferguson needs to be active and have a part of the game plan. But um it’s a long season and everyone who’s been asked to contribute will still be asked to contribute this Thursday and and moving down the line. Yeah. To your point, that was his highest graded game of 74 of the threes played for D. Yeah. And that he also this is the mark though that’s even more interesting. It was actually the highest graded offensive lineman for the Rams on Sunday. Okay. Have you noticed the pattern? I’m always going to root for the shortest guy. Just a thing. Well, we already do dove into the defense just a bit at the top of the show, so I’m going to fast forward us. Uh, let’s talk a little bit more about the Run defense and what we’ve seen. Currently ranked 10th against the run are the Los Angeles Rams. And correct me if I’m wrong, but it feels like this is a defense that’s no longer willing to give up small cuts. They’re not willing to give up much of anything. I feel like that identity has or that mentality has somewhat shifted. Am I wrong? Uh, I think the front seven um is as good as any front seven we’ve seen. for the Rams in I don’t know how long. Um and speaking of short guys, Puna Ford is as good as advertised. Um he is just an absolute problem. He is a tree stump in the middle of the road that you just cannot move. And another guy who needs to get more credit and I have to do a better job of this. Kobe Turner is playing great football run and pass. He is he’s a guy that plays tough on those rundowns and he also straightens out and can be a pass rusher in the middle. If they didn’t grab him and hold him or if he didn’t trip, he has at least two sacks. Uh that touchdown that we talked about that wasn’t on the touch back. He is a breath away from hitting and sacking Daniel Jones. The ball just got out. So, he those two guys, everybody in the middle, um the defensive ends and tackles, the the guys that put their hand down primarily to stop the run and rush the passer have been absolutely great. That’s the reason to me this defense has gotten so much better. And the cleanup guys, the linebackers, and the tackling has been exemplary coming out of the back end. Cam Curl coming up with two picks. I thought that was fantastic. Um, but just those guys in the middle being consistent, communicating, and trusting each other to stop the run and forcing you to throw, that’s how a defense gets better. Demarco, let me ask you something because the Rams are running the gauntlet right now when you think about Saquon, JT, McCaffrey this week, Derrick Henry next week, but when I look at the Niners, the laundry is the same, but the impact in the scheme is different. Like I cannot believe that here in week five, you’re hosting a San Francisco team that has not rushed for a touchdown yet. It’s weird. McAffrey is paradoxically the healthiest 49er on offense, but he has become a receiver aligning in the backfield. So, how does that change the math? How does that stress you as a defensive front when he’s always been a, you know, able and willing to hit that a gap and they’ll they’ll run a fullback right at you? And I still think they will, but right now they’re putting him on the perimeter. This is uh how can I say this? This is this is uh going from boxing to MMA, this guy can do everything. So, of all the guys that you just mentioned, including Saquon and Jonathan Taylor, I think they’re great backs. This guy scares me more than all of them because he can do everything. He can hit you up the gut with with with speed. He can run traps. He can run counter. He can slow play you. He can beat you to the to the flag. He can also run routes. He can pick on certain people on your defense that you don’t want covering anybody and make that guy pay. Not only don’t that’s not the fourth breed in the progression. That is the play to take advantage of that guy and he’s got a coach that knows how to make that matchup happen. So, uh, of anybody that the Rams have faced and they’ve all been great, dangerous guys, ambient players, this guy scares me the most. Yeah, I don’t know who’s going to play quarterback for them. That might be another 24 hours in the making. But I do know that he has the ability to cool off your pass rush, not just as a pass protector, but because you have to respect him leaking out. He he is that ultimate safety valve that I think Pertie andor Jones will rely upon heavily come Thursday night. Yes. And anytime he gets it, it’s a home run waiting to happen. It’s not just a release or let’s just get the ball out, you save the sack. If it gets to him, you better make sure you get him on the ground because he can go. You know, it’s interesting you talked about the front seven, but I feel like now looking at this Rams defense, there’s one name that has kind of changed some of the identity and it’s at the second level. And I think the land man, Nate Landman. Oh yeah. I feel as if he’s changed my expectations of how this Rams run defense and even maybe facing off against CMAC is gonna play on Thursday night because you look at the big plays he’s come away with whether it was the peanut punch against Houston or some of the recoveries h he’s had in the last two games. I mean he really has changed the complexion of the Rams at the second level. I agree man. Um I guess it’s funny we’ve been waiting on you um since Jones right? Yeah, like having a dude at that position. Having a dude at that spot. A dude at that spot that seems to get it in totality. Um, and make plays. Yeah, he’s a leader from day one. Um, he’s only about this. Uh, and he can make plays and not just like picks or whatever. He is stout against the run. He sticks his nose in there. Um, he’s Yeah, it’s like we’ve been waiting on you for a while. You know, I I feel bad it’s been 10 days since his last takeaway. So, I I hope he’s doing okay and I hope he can get to Thursday night cuz he’s probably hungry. That’s fair enough. I like that one. Well, let’s dig into Thursday night a bit more. It’s the Rams first prime time game of the season and it will be for the NFC West division lead. It adds just a bit more juice to this rivalry. You think back, they’re looking for their fourth straight win over the 49ers. And what’s wild is in the past three is we have trailed in the fourth quarter in all three of those matchups. Wow. Rams have outscored in the fourth quarter 30-3 in those last three matchups. Four in a row. Let’s We’re looking for four in a row. Up four in a row. Yeah. Okay. We’re getting there. Yeah. You kind of like that, don’t you? Yeah, I do. I do. Cuz you’ve been a part of some streaks, Demarco. 17 in a row. Yeah. I’ve been on the receiving end of like 14 straight or whatever it was. So, yeah. Okay. We’re getting there. Uh, but it’s fun. Like I said, um, you throw it all out the window. No matter how you’re playing or how you feel about yourself or what you think about them, throw it out the window. Um, if you don’t have a reason, I’ll say this to every current Rams player, and I’ve said this before, there’s one thing that unites us all. No matter where you played for the Rams or when, it’s a hatred of them. And if you don’t have a healthy hatred of them, just wait a while. It’ll show up. It may show up this Thursday. Absolutely. Um, no matter how you feel about yourself or them, this game means more than you know. So, if you thought you played a great game, more is required this Thursday to beat them. Fans of this show have heard this before, so apologies for the redundancy, but I’ve been saying it since the schedule came out in May. I said it during training camp. I’ll say it again right now. The 49ers have the softest schedule in the National Football League. by virtue of finishing last in the division last year and the crossover matchups, they have the cakewalk of all the 32 teams in the National Football League. So my point back in the spring and the summer and again now is the Los Angeles Rams need to beat the San Francisco 49ers twice. Period. Point blank. If they don’t do it, there aren’t aren’t a lot of other teams out there to do it. So, if the Rams want to win this division, if they want to keep San Francisco from winning double digit games or getting a playoff spot, it is up to them and no one else. Thank you Jacksonville and Liam Cohen for that gift, right? But, but again, I go back to this is still a three in one Niner team and if they get to 4 in one, they won’t just be at top the NFC West, they’ll have the head-to-head on all the other three division runners. So, it’s it’s a big big deal Thursday night. And it’s unique too when you look at the Los Angeles Ram schedule because their next divisional matchup isn’t till week 10 and it’s right back against the 49ers. It’s you got a long span. I mean I I guess the schedule makers were saying that they don’t see this division coming down necessarily to LA and San Francisco. Yeah. It’s incumbent upon Los Angeles to make them right. Absolutely. Yes. Continue. Get better. Yes. Uh where do you see the advantage for the Los Angeles Rams apart from the ha the health side of this matchup? Stafford. Uh, I think there there’s your advantage there and the way you’re running the football and the fact that you’re at home and your defense is coming off a hell of a game, a a win. So, I wish and that we were talking about this earlier. Um, I wish you had full rest for this game. Um, I wish you had a chance to recover from a such a physical game, you know, from Sunday to Sunday. Um, but they’re going through the same thing you are. So, that’s the benefit of it. And they’re coming off a loss. So, um I think the key is definitely going to be Matthew Stafford, uh finding those connections, getting better, uh just cleaning up in between the the the moments of greatness like how he finished. Finishing up, like not having that same or similar third quarter against the Niners. Don’t give them any life. When you’ve seized control of the game, refuse to give it back. Keep building upon it. Make the game make the fourth quarter easy. Uh if you can do that, like this is how you turn into one of the best teams in the NF in NFC. if not already. Biggest mismatch I see is Puka Nua against a rookie in the slot. Upton Stout um is going to be a good player. I think he’s already put some good tape down, but he was seen as probably a reach in the draft at 5’8, 5’9 on a good day, 180 something pounds, matched up against Puka, who’s been playing in the slot more than any other. How do you think San Francisco and Robert Salah handle that? me. My guess is I think they do exactly what they do and don’t change and say make puka make puka prove it to me that day. Really? That seems to be his ML, right? And then adjust off it. Because what’s interesting about the blender that the Rams offense puts you in is so far four teams have put their best corner on Devonte Adams. Right. Makes sense, right? Especially because where he aligns. Mhm. At some point, do you have to change to account for Puka Nakua being the most prolific receiver in the league? Well, when he’s playing all over the formation and when he’s inserting into your run surface, do you burn a legious snee traveling with Pukanaku? Is that even possible? Yeah, I I don’t think that’s the Yeah, I wouldn’t do that. Okay. Yeah. So, that’s the strain that I think the Rams offensively are really presenting to to their opponents is, yeah, we’ve got the number one receiver in football, but he’s basically a mobile tight end. So, how do you cover him? Especially if you’re built to have a small slot corner like the 49ers have right now, a rookie. So, do you change the target share? I mean, that’s been a big conversation throughout uh fantasy football fans. week in and week out. I have people asking me, I mean, you have Devonte and you got Puka Nakua, but the reality is you still have 22, you’ve got tight ends, but I’m going you’re winning games with those two guys, and then you have that third additional threat of 22 clearly down the field when you need them most. I don’t have you have you can you remember an instance where you thought they were forcing the football to one or two guys? I mean, I felt like they were forcing the football at the end of last season. This this feels like Yes. timing, rhythm, this schematic makes a ton of sense. Now, you look at the share and the Rams are slanted towards two players more than anyone else in the National Football League. And I think Kirn is their their third largest target share. Let’s give it another month to smooth out. But I meant what I said when the Rams have become a more difficult team to prepare for offensively based on the way they beat the Colts because I do think you have to respect Jordan Whittington uh 22 Atwell. continue to try and get Kate Mumfield targets and I think his time is coming and and the tight end element. Higgby had a big catch. Colby had some big catches. Davis Allen has two touches. So, I think it’s just more about playoffs. I think it’s running up your play count and and things will will smooth out. But if opposing defenses don’t change the way they’re playing you and you can get the football into Puka and Devonte’s hands 20 times per game. Thank you. See you in the playoffs. Yes. Mfield was that close to making right there. Yeah. Demarco, how challenging is it to face a team like the San Francisco 49ers when you really don’t know who’s going to be out there, especially on a short week considering the number of injuries? I mean, we could list them, but it’s far too long the facing their offense. I mean, look, the way they do things, it’s it’s rhythm anyway. So, you’re going to be practicing reps and getting to spots faster. You’re going to be playing schemes. So, it really doesn’t matter who’s actually doing it. You know what I’m saying? I mean, I think that’s what McCaffrey does. um he’s so good at doing it and then he has the the other gear to make you pay, make you miss and make you go. But uh yeah, you when you’re preparing for the 49ers, you are preparing for McCaffry and everyone else. You’re really preparing for Shanahan. You got to beat him to the thing because as we give McVey credit, you can give him the same credit. He will find a way to run the football. He will find a way to to exploit your rules on defense and use them against you. He’s great at it. So, it almost doesn’t matter who’s carrying the rock. It’s just you better beat them to the spot before they get there. What do you think it’s going to be like seeing Demarcus Robinson in some different colors? Who? I mean, no disrespect to him, but like if if he is getting a lot of burn for them, that means that their top end guys aren’t going. And we’ll see about Piersaw. We’ll see about Jennings. We know I’s on IR. We know KD KD’s not going to go. Like, I mean, thank you to Marcus Robinson for everything you meant to this franchise for multiple years. But if they have to lean heavily on him Thursday night, that means that some of their top options are not going to be dressed or able to go. You put on red, I don’t know you. I’ll know you after the game. Demarco, I got you. Uh, okay. We’ve gone through several of the keys to victory. Do you have any final thoughts on this matchup in terms of keys to victory? Um, dare I say we still haven’t seen the best game just yet or all three phases coming together? It’s getting close, wouldn’t you say? Okay. Don’t touch my third face cuz that’s mine. Oh, darn it. That was mine. That’s ours. Okay. Okay, then I’ll lean on uh defense and running the football. Um I I think that’s been the thing that has stood out the most to me or has made the biggest like improvement from one season to the next. They’re running the football. Um they’re Maurice said it, it’s the key to football sometimes running the football is violence. They’re running with violence. They’re running with authority and they’re stopping the run. the same way. Um, it’s not just guys, like you said, getting lucky to the football or a bunch of gaps and stunt switches. These are guys that are facing people up, two hands to the chest, driving you backwards and making plays. So, running the football, controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides, I think has been the Rams calling card. It’s got to be the same thing on Thursday night versus San Fran if you want to win this football game. You bring it home. No, it’s yours. I’ve talked plenty. Okay. I was going to say we got to give some love to special teams, especially after the response against Philly. Uh, and I’m going to go with what they’ve been able to do. Pinning teams deep. It’s the second best mark in the NFL currently. And conversely, the opposite side, the 49ers worst. I’m going to say we’re winning that phase come Thursday night. That’s You got any others? Well, why did the Niners finish last in the division last season? Injury misfortune, sure, but special teams has been a grease fire up there. They let a punt back, a big time um kick return back last week. They’ve already changed kickers. You’re right, the biggest strategic advantage in this game I I think is in the kicking phase. But I I say this with a a a huge grain of salt and a and a huge level of concern and respect because when you face a team that doesn’t have a pick yet, that hasn’t rushed for a touchdown yet, you have to keep an ailing team sick. Do not let this week be the one where the 49ers get healthy and get off the hook and get hot and go on a run cuz we’ve seen that movie before. I don’t want to see it again in 25. I love you over there. I really do. I think there’s a focus in this building that is very aware of the danger that exists facing off against a rivalry on a short week and even that that is injured. One one last thing real quick. my friend and my counterpart Greg Papa for the San Francisco 49ers is is on injured reserve this season. Oh, he’s sick. He’s he’s uh back on the radio. He’s not going to be broadcasting this game. So, um for any 49ers fans who made it this deep in between the horns for Greg. Uh love you, man. Thinking about you. Um if there’s going to be any contingent of red and gold inside SoFi Stadium uh tomorrow night, I can live with it. If you are going to be one of them, I’m sorry that you’re not, but cannot wait to see again uh for Rams and Niners soon. Well said, JB Long for JB Long Demarco Far. I’m Cameron. This has been another edition of Between the Horns presented by your Southern California Toyota dealers. We can’t wait to see you in Sofi tomorrow night. It will be on Amazon Prime Prime Time in SoFi 5:15. We can’t wait to see you there. [Music]

In this week’s new episode of Between The Horns, Camryn Irwin sits down with J.B. Long and D’Marco Farr to preview the Los Angeles Rams’ matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Watch the trio discuss keys to victory, break down the run defense against running back Christian McCaffrey, and more.

0:00 Intro
0:28 Fan noise at SoFi Stadium
2:12 Rams rising in the ranks going into Week 5
5:27 Jared Verse season high stats
7:43 Reliving Sunday’s matchup
10:53 Puka Nacua ’s competitive fire
13:38 Breaking down offense’s dimensions
17:03 Tight end function
17:44 Talking offensive line
19:43 Breaking down the run defense
21:22 Breaking down 49ers offense
23:17 Nate Landman’s impact on defense
24:32 Rams-49ers rivalry
27:14 Advantages going into Thursday’s game
29:39 Target share on offense
31:04 Biggest challenges going into Thursday
32:05 Demarcus Robinson in new colors
32:44 Keys to victory

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