The Los Angeles Rams need a win on Saturday to keep their playoff hopes alive, and it's not going to be easy going against a team that is as talented as the San Francisco 49ers. There are a couple of things that need to happen if the 49ers want to pull off the upset. Let's breakdown the two biggest x-factors for the Rams.

2. Jared Goff

Rams quarterback Jared Goff has been really good at times this season, and other times he has been really bad. The first time these two teams faced off this year, Goff was really bad.

Goff completed 13 of his 24 passes for only 78 yards and zero touchdowns. He didn't look comfortable in the pocket and couldn't get any drives going.

Goff needs to forget about what happened during that game and come out in this game playing strong. The Rams running game is performing a little better now, which should help him, but it's going to ultimately come down to Goff throwing the ball.

He needs to rush the ball downfield, throw a couple of touchdowns, and not turn the ball over. If he has a good game, the Rams are going to have a chance at the end to pull it out.

1. Rams' run defense

The Rams run defense has been an issue all season but they were exposed in the team's last game against the Dallas Cowboys. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard both rushed for at least 117 yards and one touchdown.

There were big holes opened up by the Cowboys offensive line and the Rams really had no answer. On the season the Rams are giving up 115.6 yards per game on the ground which is 23rd in football.

The 49ers don't have a star running back, but they have a slew of them that run wild most games. On the season the 49ers are averaging 147 yards per game which is second in the league. Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, and Matt Breida all split carries and there seems to be a different lead back every game.

Using three running backs allows the 49ers to keep their legs fresh. There is no doubt the Rams are going to use a run-heavy gameplan and it's something that the Rams defense needs to take away. The 49ers can still beat them through the air but they need to make them one dimensional. If they can do that the yare going to have a chance in this game.