The San Francisco 49ers' defense showcased a dramatic turnaround in their 27-7 victory against the Los Angeles Rams, largely attributed to the influence of new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. The unit effectively neutralized Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, holding him to 155 passing yards, his fourth-lowest total in 75 career starts with the team. Stafford's passer rating of 61.2 was his second-lowest as a Ram.
Under Morris, the 49ers' defense implemented a new scheme that proved disruptive. Rams head coach Sean McVay described the performance as "a humbling day" for his offense, which struggled to convert third downs, going just 3-for-9. The Rams also failed to score on three trips to the red zone, including a goal-line stand by the 49ers that preceded a pivotal 99-yard touchdown drive for San Francisco.
Morris, who previously served as the Rams' defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2023, demonstrated familiarity with his former team's offensive tendencies. Last season, his Atlanta Falcons defense was responsible for three of Stafford's eight interceptions in a Week 16 game. The 49ers' secondary, a unit that yielded the eighth-most passing yards per game last season, appeared revitalized, with cornerback Renardo Green recording an interception.
Former cornerback Richard Sherman, observing the game, noted the significant transformation. "The defense — big question mark all offseason — answered a lot of questions this game," Sherman said on his podcast. "They looked like an entirely different unit."
The defensive overhaul extends beyond just the coordinator. Of the 11 players who started on defense in the previous season's divisional playoff loss, only three returned to their starting roles for the season opener. Key players like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Dre Greenlaw, who had been hampered by injuries or absent for significant portions of the previous season, returned to form. Bosa set an early tone by disrupting the Rams' first play, and the linebackers, Warner and Greenlaw, combined to force a fumble.
While the 49ers did not record a sack against Stafford, they pressured him eight times and registered 14 pressures on 25 dropbacks, a stark contrast to their 32nd-ranked sack total from the previous year. Osa Odighizuwa, acquired to bolster the interior pass rush, contributed five pressures and four hits. This renewed pressure, coupled with the secondary's performance, suggests a significant shift in the 49ers' defensive identity. As Sherman commented, "When you play defense like that, you ain’t gonna have Raheem Morris for long."