Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers: Full Report Card Grades for 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers not only won their battles down in the trenches but posted a shutout of the Los Angeles Rams in the process, winning in convincing fashion, 28-0. 

In a game that was supposed to be a defensive struggle for both NFC West teams, it was the Rams who ultimately had the tough time of putting points on the board.

Quarterback

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49ers QB Blaine Gabbert is a game-manager. He did that to perfection on Monday night by not hurting the team with ill-advised throws or turning the ball over.

The results were mediocre at best with the 26-year-old completing 22 of 35 passes (63 percent) for 170 yards and one touchdown. 

But Gabbert's legs earn him points as he finished as the team's second leading rusher by racking up 43 yards on nine carries. 

Grade: B-

Running Backs

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As I expected, third-year RB Carlos Hyde had a nice game by finishing with 23 carries for 88 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

My predicted stat line had him at 24 carries for 90 yards and one touchdown, and Hyde overachieved those numbers with one late touchdown run to seal the 49ers victory.

A hard-bruising runner between the tackles, Hyde's violent running style proved to be too much for the Rams to endure over the course of four quarters.

Not to be outdone was backup RB Shaun Draughn who had a three-yard touchdown run of his own, finishing with seven carries for 18 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Grade: A

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

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Who would've thought the leading receiver on the team would be a player who was also the team's latest addition? Welcome, WR Jeremy Kerley.

The short but shifty wide receiver made an array of nice catches off quick slants, speed outs and crossing digs while being targeted a team-high 11 times (six more than the second leading targeted receiver). 

A player who would go on to be Gabbert's security blanket, Kerley finished with seven catches for 61 yards.

However, it was the play of another wide receiver who caught my eye as WR Quinton Patton showed signs of life with the team's longest pass play from scrimmage (35-yard catch-and-run) while finishing as the team's second leading wide receiver hauling in five catches for 60 yards. 

Where was WR Torrey Smith? Two catches for 13 yards on six targets.

But the wild card here is TE Vance McDonald. He ended up scoring a touchdown which I predicted would happen and was the dagger in the heart.  

Grade: C+

Offensive Line

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The San Francisco 49ers' offensive line wore down the Rams defense and it showed.

Anytime a team scores three rushing touchdowns in a game is a testament to the team's goons up front.

Kudos to C Daniel Kilgore making the proper reads pre-snap, RG Andrew Tiller and LG Zane Beadles for opening gaping holes for Hyde to run through, and RT Trent Brown and LT Joe Staley for setting the edges. 

A clear weakness a year ago is now a team strength. The 49ers finished with 150 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and allowed zero sacks. 

Grade: A

Defensive Line

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The 49ers' defensive line was straight up stingy.

From bottling up Rams RB Todd Gurley with sound gap-integrity to collapsing the pocket, the 49ers defensive line did their part up front. Kudos to DE Quinton Dial, who played a complete game. 

Dial helped set the tone early on by "dialing up" a nice pass deflection at the line of scrimmage allowing ILB NaVorro Bowman to record an easy interception—a team play that would have a direct impact on the outcome of the game.

Despite three-four defensive ends not garnering high sack numbers, it was encouraging to see DE Arik Armstead pick up where he left off despite a nagging shoulder injury as he recorded his first sack of 2016. 

Let's be honest, anytime a team holds Gurley to under 50 yards rushing is a win all by itself, but to do that and create constant pressure up front is straight-up beast mode. 

Grade: A

Linebackers

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49ers defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil must be loving the fact that his unit won the turnover battle. In fact, both of his inside linebackers recorded interceptions as NaVorro Bowman and Ray-Ray Armstrong both made nice plays on the ball. 

Being a part of the second level in suffocating Gurley with backside containment while shooting the appropriate gaps, and you have a recipe for success.

Bowman paced the team with nine tackles including one for loss, while Armstrong had four tackles (one for loss) and two pass breakups. 

49ers OLB Ahmad Brooks added a sack while helping setting the edge in run support. Simply put, a fine effort all-around from this unit.

Grade: A

Secondary

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49ers were short-handed going into the game as top slot CB Chris Davis (hamstring) was ruled out.

Not to worry, though, Coach O'Neil had a plan and called on versatile DB Jimmie Ward to fill in. He did an admirable job on Rams WR Tavon Austin, as the speedy wide receiver finished with just four catches for 13 yards. 

Ward doubled on slot duties that allowed CB Dontae Johnson to shine on the outside. The North Carolina State product would finish with two tackles and one pass breakup. 

However, to play devil's advocate here, WR Kenny Britt put together a nice game by hauling in four catches for 67 yards (16.8 avg.). 

In the end, though, the figure that really matters is 130; that's the number of passing yards the 49ers gave up. More importantly, zero touchdowns were allowed.

Grade: B

Special Teams

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49ers K Phil Dawson was perfect, hitting on all four of his extra-point opportunities.

P Bradley Pinion earned his paycheck today by booming seven punts for 319 yards, which is good for a 45.6 average. 

Grade: A

Coaching

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49ers head coach Chip Kelly's game plan was on-point; establish the run and play from ahead.

In a game where it was practically mirror images of each other, the 49ers eventually had the momentum in their favor as they struck first blood and never looked back.

Combine that with the 49ers' stingy defense posting their first shutout to kickoff the 2016 season, and you can't help but give the coaching staff two thumbs up.

Grade: A+