As the 49ers have finally finalized the roster and Chip Kelly has announced Blaine Gabbert as the starting quarterback for the first game versus the Los Angeles Rams. With everyone in doubt that the 49ers can actually win a game, here are the keys to victory that they are capable of achieving, but must execute.
Offensive Line
With the starting line set with Joe Staley at left tackle, Zane Beadles at left guard, Daniel Kilgore at center, Anthony Davis at right guard, and lastly Trent Brown at right tackle; they will need to be formidable against Ram's stout defensive line. I should say ferocious considering Aaron Donald (defensive tackle) is a stud on that defense. 49er's offensive line look ions better than it did last year with Anthony Davis returning and Trent Brown (6'8) mountain of a man blocking.
The Ram's defensive line will be a good test in seeing how the 49er's offensive line fares the rest of the season. If the O-line produces, that means star running back Carlos Hyde will have a productive day. If the offensive line proves to be as good as it looks on paper and executes their jobs, this will be the major reason why they win.
Blaine Gabbert
As on any team, the quarterback position is the leader and commander of the offense, if the 49ers are to have any success on moving the ball, the offense will heavily rely on Blaine Gabbert. Reason being is because the San Francisco 49ers do not have a lot of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball.
The wide receiver group leaves a lot to be desired. Gabbert will be the focal point and if the pre-season has any indication of who he will target a lot in the passing game, it's going to be the tight ends. With Vance Mcdonald and Garrett Celek proving to be big red-zone targets in the pre-season, so hopefully that carries over. If Blaine Gabbert proves to be consistent and scores with the help of Chip Kelly's offense, look for the 49ers to have their first win. Blaine Gabbert won the starting job, now it his job to prove why he should keep it.
Defense
As they say, defense wins championships, it will be the reason we stay in the game if our offense stalls. Although the Ram's offense leaves a lot to be desired, no opponent should ever be taken lightly. Oh, how much do I love this 49er's young defense, with Navarro Bowman (ILB) leading the way, young defensive linemen Deforest Buckner and Arik Armstead in the trenches, and star safety Eric Reid leading the secondary.
The defense looks to have improved from last season and will be vital into winning the Monday night game against the Ram's. They will have to be stout against the run as young pro bowl running back Todd Gurley is a beast in his own right. The defense needs to put pressure on Ram's quarterback Case Keenum into making mistakes and capitalize on those mistakes, I'm talking turnovers. The secondary needs to keep their passing game in check, they do not have a star receiving group, but like I said no opponent should be taken lightly on any given Sunday. If the 49er's defense keeps the Ram's running game in check, it'll be key component into ending up with a win.
These are the three keys to victory on Monday night.
