Match-ups matter.
Clearly, the Rams don't match up well against the 49ers. In all likelihood, that's an issue that we won't have to deal with again until next year.
...
I am in the minority when I admit that there is a small matchup issue in play here, but it's really all about execution and momentum. I literally exclaimed "WTF" out loud when I saw the empty backfield on 3rd and 1 and we were UP 17-0. That sack never should have happened and the next time the Rams offense took a snap it was 17-10 and the 9ers had ALL the momentum.
Even with that, we had the game won on some gritty performances by Stafford and Kupp to get that go-ahead TD and some great defense to get that 3 and out sack. But then what? We run the ball 3 times and give them back momentum, and predictably shift into prevent mode so they can tie the game and send it to OT.
If we don't shoot ourselves in the foot, we win that game 33-0. Same matchup. Different result. Based on our EXECUTION.