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Tops stats to know: 49ers at Rams on MNF
By ESPN Stats & Information Group | ESPN.com
http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/97039/tops-stats-to-know-49ers-at-rams-on-mnf
With the 49ers (3-2) riding a six-game winning streak on Monday Night and the Rams (1-3) having lost five straight such contests, the deck is stacked against St. Louis. One key to a potential Rams win will be to recapture the pass-rushing prowess from the previous two seasons and disrupt Colin Kaepernick’s comfort level outside the pocket.
QB on the move
The Rams slew of fast and talented pass rushers have given Colin Kaepernick serious trouble when they’ve chased him outside the pocket in the five meetings during the quarterback’s career.
Kaepernick’s superior athleticism has typically helped him thrive when he’s on the move, exemplified by his 75.1 QBR from outside the pocket this season along with a league-leading five passing touchdowns.
However when facing the likes of Robert Quinn, Chris Long, Williams Hayes and Michael Brockers, among others, Kaepernick has an astoundingly low 2.2 QBR from outside the pocket with an average yards per attempt almost two yards less than against anyone else.
Where’s the pass rush?
On the bright side for the 49ers quarterback, this is not the same pass-rushing force that had been so dominant over the previous two seasons. After ranking third in sacks in 2013 and tied for first in 2012, the St. Louis defense has only managed to sack the opposing QB once through four games.
Not surprisingly, this weakness has allowed opposing QBs to get extremely comfortable against St. Louis, posting an NFL-high 87.2 QBR along with a 71 percent completion rate which is the league’s second highest.
Under-the radar quarterback
Speaking of surprisingly effective quarterback play, St. Louis’ own signal-caller has turned some heads since taking the reins in Week 2. Through three starts Austin Davis ranks in the top 10 among all starting quarterbacks this season in QBR, completion percentage and yards per attempt; while leading the NFL in first downs per passing attempt.
Even more impressive is that Davis’ quality play has come in the face of adversity, having been pressured on 34 percent of his drop backs which is the fourth-highest rate among starting quarterbacks.
Quick Hitters
- The 49ers have been outscored 31-9 in the 4th quarter this season and have an overall point differential of just +4.
- Colin Kaepernick has been helped by a sure-handed group of receivers who have dropped just 1.3% of his attempts.
- DE Robert Quinn was 4th in the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year voting after finishing 2nd in forced fumbles (7) and sacks (19.0). This season, Quinn has been blanked in both categories.
- Rams: allowed exactly 34 points in all 3 losses this season
- The 49ers are 13-4-1 in their last 18 games against the Rams since the start of 2005. San Francisco swept both meetings last season, outscoring St. Louis 58-24.
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Colin Kaepernick Outside Pocket
Career vs STL This Season
QBR 2.2 75.1
Yds per att 5.8 7.7
Pass TD 1 5<<
Sacks 7 4
>>T-most in NFL (Andrew Luck)
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Austin Davis as Starter This Season
NFL Rank<<
1st downs per attempt 44% 1st
Comp pct 67.5 7th
Yards per attempt 7.8 9th
QBR 70.7 10th
>>Among starting quarterbacks
