NFL San Francisco 49ers

Colin Kaepernick Will Be X-Factor For San Francisco 49ers In Week 9

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Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers

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I realize the selection of Colin Kaepernick as the San Francisco 49ers‘ X-factor against the St. Louis Rams is somewhat cliche in nature. I know that Kap is the obvious option, and I’m aware that he is likely the most popular pick among San Francisco’s bunch. But in the NFL, it’s a rare occasion for the outcome of a game not to rely on the man under center, so Kaepernick is the logical choice.

When the 49ers’ highly-paid quarterback is on his game — making would-be sack monsters and tacklers miss while hitting his targets — he is one of the most electrifying players in football. However, when he leaves his A-game at home — throwing late-game picks and missing the broad side of a barn — Kaepernick makes you wonder if they added too many sixes, ones and zeros to his contract.

In the 49ers’ three losses, Kap has completed 67 percent of his passes for 756 yards and three touchdowns, which looks decent, but he threw four interceptions resulting in an overall QBR of 48.33. The 49ers were outscored by 43 points in those games (24 of which came in the 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos), and while the defense struggled to click on all cylinders due to injuries, it’s not like Kap was Aaron Rodgers-esque.

However, he has been Rodgers-like against the Rams. In four starts against the NFC West‘s basement dwellers, Kaepernick is 3-1 and has completed 65.3 percent of his throws for 1,110 yards, six TDs, zero INTs and a combined QBR of 81.1. Kap’s dominance, coupled with the fact that the Rams are 5-17-1 in San Francisco since 1991 and haven’t won there since 2007, is an omen like no other for the members of 49ers Nation. There simply is no excuse for San Francisco not to win this game.

The Rams are riddled with injuries. Jake Long and Brian Quick — led the team with 375 receiving yards before being placed on IR– are done for the season, and offensive lineman Tim Barnes (center) and Rodger Saffold (guard) could miss this Sunday’s tilt. The loss of either coupled with Long’s absence would spell doom for the Rams, who even with those three in the lineup only mustered 234.1 passing yards and 102.3 rushing yards per contest. What was once the Greatest Show on Turf now has the NFL’s 28th-ranked offense. It’s kind of sad, really.

Adding to the Rams’ woes, the 49ers will welcome back Patrick Willis and may even get a few snaps out of nose tackle Glenn Dorsey, who has recently returned to practice following his biceps injury suffered in training camp. Chris Culliver and Mike Iupati have been cleared to play after suffering recent concussions, but it’s the return of Iupati holding high value. Last week, the 49ers lost center Daniel Kilgore to injury, which thrusts 20-year-old rookie Marcus Martin into the fold. It will be up to Iupati and Alex Boone to help the youngster adapt quickly.

That brings us full circle to the man in the middle of the huddle, Kaepernick. If he’s not forcing the opposing defensive coordinator’s blood pressure to rise, he’s making 49ers fans pull out their hair and hang their newly bald heads. He is the epitome of what Forrest Gump once quipped. Kap is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re gonna get. Well, unless he’s playing the Rams, that is.

Jeff Pearlman is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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