There are two inescapable truths about life in the NFL, and they may both apply this week.

First, the other 31 teams don't care about your problems. The schedule won't pause for the Rams to get healthy. And the 49ers won't be sympathetic, in part because they've got their own injuries to contend with.

The other reality is that whenever you think you've got professional football figured out, Sunday will prove you wrong.

Right now, there are no shortage of voices ready to write the Rams off, leave them for dead two weeks into the 2024 season. I'm sure some of you reading this feel the same way. I've had those thoughts cross my mind in the wake of losing Cooper Kupp and Jonah Jackson and John Johnson III to the injured list, too.

Let's give it some more time, though. Sunday may surprise.

Do Under Others

Why not do to San Francisco what Arizona (finally) just did to you?

The Cardinals may not have been severe underdogs last week like the Rams are against the Niners, but they were certainly motivated to beat LA on their home field for the first time in their careers.

Now, let's make this abundantly clear: The Rams have defeated the Niners at SoFi Stadium, and none of us would trade that win for any other in the rivalry. But it's high time to pick them off at home in the regular season, too.

It would be great to see the Royal and Sol arrive with the same urgency and purpose for their home opener that the Cardinals brought to the park last week.

That's part of what we discussed on the latest Between the Horns.

Misery Loves Company

And it's not like the Niners are in great shape.

They've been transparent about how the loss of reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey has impacted them. We also know the 49ers went 0-3 without Deebo Samuel last season.

At the same time, the state of San Francisco almost multiplies the frustration regarding the state of the Rams. Because after playing 60 games the past three years, and working through contracts with multiple cornerstone pieces this offseason, there was a feeling that the Niners might be susceptible to slippage.

Maybe that's happening, maybe it's not. But the point is that the current Rams roster clearly isn't poised to capitalize the way we would have preferred.

Sharp Whitt

With Kupp and Puka Nacua on the shelf, the Rams will get a closer look at what role Jordan Whittington might have in their offense – both in 2024 and beyond.

If you need something to lift your spirits, a reason to stay invested in the possibilities this season might hold, don't miss this episode of Rams Revealed.

Right Guy

The pass protection has been abysmal, but if anyone can make lemonade, it's Chef Stafford.

Improving up front is a major ask against the San Francisco defense. But getting your starting left tackle Alaric Jackson back is a place to start. Hopefully right tackle Rob Havenstein is another week healthier, too. And it's time to find out what guard Logan Bruss has to offer.

So It's Not Gonna Be Easy

Excuse the Ryan Gosling line, but here's the rest of the Week 3 notebook…

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has won his first 7 division games. There's another streak that would be nice to snap. Kurt Warner won 11, most since the 1970 merger, per ESPN.

What an astounding run of ball security in the pocket from Matthew Stafford, who finally fumbled last Sunday in Glendale. It had been 18 games since he last put it on the deck (11/6/22 at Tampa Bay) and 21 contests since his last fumble lost (10/9/22 vs. Dallas).

There's such a wide disparity in missed tackles between the two teams on Sunday, that I cannot even mention it in writing. But suffice it to say, the Rams are on the wrong end of the statistic. That clearly will be something to watch.

According to Warren Sharp, who's an expert in these matters, the 49ers have the largest net rest disadvantage (-21 days) in the last decade of NFL scheduling. They'll play against the most teams coming off bye weeks (four), and when you look at those teams, they all look like contenders, to boot: Kansas City, Buffalo, Dallas and Seattle. Again, if the Rams can just find a way Sunday, the whole complexion of the NFC West could look different.

Don't put any stock in the 49ers' loss to the Vikings, however. They've got long-running deficiencies in Minneapolis that go back to before some of these players were born, and that city has historically been a house of horrors for San Francisco. The Vikings also have Brian Flores coordinating their defense, and he's had some good days against that offensive system. This weekend at SoFi Stadium, the 49ers won't play anything like they did last Sunday, though I wish they would.

Another reason to stay patient might be the general offensive malaise the NFL is experiencing at the moment. The Rams obstacles are unique, but few clubs are lighting it up as they contend with some savvy, disciplined defensive structures. Maybe this is a good time for McVay and LA to pivot, get back out in front of the curve?

Back to Gosling: Hopefully next week, "It wasn't over; it still isn't over!" applies.

Watching the West

In this space, we stressed the importance of Seattle starting 2-0, and that's exactly what the Seahawks have done, taking the NFC West lead. But the premise was that banking a couple early wins could insulate them as they get into a stretch of the schedule that includes Miami, Detroit, and San Francisco. Suddenly, that trio is not nearly as daunting as when we began this exercise. Look out for the Seahawks.

In Arizona, we'll see how the Cardinals (1-1) handle success as they play host to Detroit.

The entire picture can change in just one Sunday. Stick around to see how it all shakes out.