Shortly after waking up Monday morning, George Kittle’s wife, Claire, reminded him of the significance of the next seven days.
She told the 49ers tight end, “Hey, it’s Rams week; get your mind right.”
Kittle appreciated the reminder.
In order for the 49ers to show up with a strong performance on Sunday when they face the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium, Claire knew there could be no shortcuts in the days of preparation leading up to kickoff.
“She’s done it for like seven years, and it’s been pretty awesome,” Kittle told NBC Sports Bay Area. “So every Monday before we play the Rams, it’s, ‘Hey, it’s Rams week; get your mind right.’ Because every time we play the Rams, it’s a mental, gritty game.”
Here are five 49ers who must step up to the challenge on Sunday in this key NFC West matchup:
DT Alfred Collins
The 49ers’ best defensive play of the first half of the season came when rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins punched the ball from Kyren Williams’ grasp and recovered it at the 1-yard line. The play preserved the 49ers’ lead with one minute left in regulation in the team’s Week 5 game against the Rams.
Now comes the rematch, but Collins is not necessarily looking to provide an encore.
“I’m not trying to be a superhero,” Collins told NBC Sports Bay Area. “I’m going to be one of 11. If the opportunity comes again, I’ll do my job, but I just want to be the best version of myself.”
Collins has made steady improvements from the beginning of the season, and he will be needed to continue that trajectory for the 49ers’ depleted defensive line.
RT Colton McKivitz
Edge rusher Byron Young leads the Rams with nine sacks to rank fourth in the NFL. He will line up primarily at left defensive end, which matches him against 49ers right tackle Colton McKivitz.
McKivitz has been beaten for three sacks on the season, but still grades out as the No. 10 offensive tackle in the NFL, according to PFF. Left tackle Trent Williams is No. 4.
McKivitz has been much improved this season as a run-blocker, and that might be the 49ers’ ticket to slow down Young. They must pound the Rams in the running game. That could create some opportunities for the 49ers’ pass protection to hold up long enough for quarterback Mac Jones to drop back and make his reads.
DE Bryce Huff
Edge rusher Bryce Huff had four sacks in seven games before sustaining a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two games. The rest of the 49ers’ defense has combined for just seven sacks in nine games.
So, yes, Huff is being counted upon to get after Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and force some mistakes. Stafford, 37, is having the best season of his career. He has 21 touchdown passes and just two interceptions in leading L.A. to a 6-2 record.
If given time to throw, Stafford will pick apart the 49ers’ defense, as he did Oct. 2 when he threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns.
CB Deommodore Lenoir
Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir is clearly the 49ers’ top defensive back. He can’t travel everywhere, but he has to lock down his side of the field.
It does not matter whether he is matched against Puka Nacua or Davante Adams, Lenoir has to be able to handle his business so the 49ers can roll their coverages to the other side.
In nine games, the 49ers have registered just one interception. That came from Lenoir in Week 8 against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. It will not be easy against Stafford, but the 49ers might need to generate a takeaway or two to complete the season sweep of the Rams.
TE George Kittle
It’s Rams week, all right. And this might be the time for Kittle to break out after a slow start to the season.
He caught a touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to cap the first drive of the season against the Seattle Seahawks. But he was sidelined with a hamstring injury that kept him out of action for the next five games.
With all of the team’s injury issues on defense, the 49ers must get more from their offense. Their 34-point performance against the New York Giants was a good place to start. Kittle brings a lot to the offense as a blocker in the run game. Now, he can make a major impact on this game as a threat in the passing game with yards after the catch, too.
Kittle led the 49ers with 1,106 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last year. In four games this season, he has just 12 receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns.