The San Francisco 49ers seemingly had no chance of upending the Los Angeles [Rams](https://ramblinfan.com/) way back in Week 5 when the two NFC West rivals met on _Thursday Night Football_.
After all, the Niners had just suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars the week prior, one that cost them injuries to both quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, which have kept the two out of action ever since.
Yet a shorthanded San Francisco squad pulled off an overtime win, thanks largely to backup quarterback Mac Jones' prowess and chemsitry with newly added veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, whose [142 yards proved to be a difference maker](https://ninernoise.com/kendrick-bourne-redemption-game-arrives-perfect-moment-49ers).
Jones and the 49ers, though, were without one of their best weapons that game, tight end George Kittle, who was still on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury all the way back in Week 1.
Now, with the Niners poised to square off against LA for Round 2 of the rivalry this season, Kittle might have to be a key X-factor in ensuring San Francisco sweeps the series.
George Kittle might need to take over 49ers vs. Rams in Week 10
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Los Angeles' defense is cooking at the moment, having held its last three opponents to no more than 10 points in a single contest. On the year, coordinator Chris Shula's squad owns the league's No. 2-ranked scoring defense while surrendering an average of just 4.7 yards per play, equally adept against both the run and pass.
Kittle, who finally hit 100 yards on the season with his second touchdown during the 49ers' Week 9 victory over the New York Giants, might need to be the biggest offensive X-factor for Jones, especially if LA aims to contain the most versatile of weapons at the Niners' disposal, running back Christian McCaffrey.
Over his career, Kittle has 860 receiving yards against the Rams, the most versus any single opponent.
And while an abbreviated 2025 campaign has mostly kept Kittle from dominating the stat sheet, a true breakout-kind of performance would go a long way toward ensuring San Francisco reclaims dominance over its Southern California NFC West rivals when the two squads face off on Sunday, Nov. 9.