San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

49ers’ rushing struggles threaten NFC West lead ahead of Rams showdown

By Sterling Bennett | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 1:19 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers are 3-1 and stand atop the NFC West due to a tie-breaker over the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, which are also 3-1.

Their grip on the division will be threatened on "Thursday Night Football" against the Rams, with one factor posing a particular threat — the team’s inability to run the football.

Despite feeling like an unreal stat, the 49ers are the only team in the NFL yet to tally a rushing touchdown this season. They also rank 28th in rushing yards per game (88) and 31st in yards per carry (3.3), according to teamrankings.com.

That’s right. A Kyle Shanahan-led offense, which has superstar Christian McCaffrey leading the way, is among the worst rushing attacks in football.

San Francisco has not been able to run the football, and it’s forcing their quarterbacks to attempt nearly 40 passes per game — the third-highest average in the league. That’s an unsustainable clip for a team looking to compete for a playoff spot and a division title. For context, 49ers’ quarterbacks averaged 30.6 attempts per game between 2019-24.

If San Francisco wants to not only rebound from an embarrassing Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars but also re-establish itself as a serious threat in the NFC, it must begin to run the ball successfully.

History shows that a successful run game has been key to the 49ers success against the Rams. Since 2017, Shanahan’s first year as head coach, the 49ers are 10-6 against the Rams. In those 10 wins, San Francisco is averaging 127 rushing yards per game, 4.23 yards per carry and 1.4 rushing touchdowns per game.

The 49ers are not near desperation mode. Yet, if their running game continues to struggle, it will not only cost them a chance to win in Week 5, but also plague their season-long success.

Sterling Bennett

Sterling Bennett is a seasoned sports journalist and writer, specializing in in-depth coverage of the NFL and San Francisco 49ers. With over half a decade of experience in sports media, Sterling combines insider knowledge, sharp analysis, and a passionate voice to deliver engaging content that resonates with fans. His work is known for its clarity, credibility, and ability to break down complex football narratives into compelling stories

More must-reads: