5 Burning Questions and a Week 13 Prediction

Here are 5 burning questions to watch out for this week.

1) Can Kaepernick keep it up?

This will be Kaepernick's first test against a team that has seen what he can do.  The Rams have good film on him from not only the last two weeks, but also how he played against them during the first matchup.  It will be interesting to see what Jeff Fisher throws at him, and how Kaepernick responds.

2) Who will take Kendall Hunters' snaps?

Hunter has been a very nice change of pace back, but now is out for the season.  Who will be the guy to step up?  Will it be Brandon Jacobs, Anthony Dixon, LaMichael James, or recently promoted Jewel Hampton?

3) How will Janoris Jenkins effect the 49ers passing game?

Rookie cornerback Janoris Jenkins was not active for the first game between these two teams.  That left some holes in the Rams secondary that first Alex Smith, and later Colin Kaepernick were able to exploit.  Jenkins is one of the best young cornerbacks in the league, and played a major role in the Rams victory in Arizona last week returning 2 interceptions back for touchdowns.

4) Can Carlos Rogers stop the slot?

The 49ers will catch a huge break if Danny Amendola is not at 100%.  He is exactly the type of receiver that gives Rogers fits in Nickle coverage from the slot.  This may prove to be the #1 key the game.

5) Will the 49ers finally break the trend?

So far this season the 49ers have not been able to win 3 games in a row.  So far they have gone:
win, win, loss...win, win, loss...win, win, tie.  Can they make make it win, win, win for the first time in 2012?


Prediction:

49ers 27 Rams 10

The 49ers were able to put up 24 on the Rams in the first game, and they had to go to their backup quarterback halfway through the 2nd quarter.  They also struggled mightily stopping Danny Amendola and Steven Jackson.

This time around Amendola appears to be at less than 100%, and that will put additional pressure on Jackson and Sam Bradford to pick up the slack.  I don't think they can do it.

The 49ers will jump out to a 10 lead in the first quarter, 20-3 by half, and do what they need to in order to speed up the game in the 2nd half and get back to San Francisco with a Win.